JOHN GREGG (AKA GREIG)
Regrettably many of the documents pertaining to Gregg's background and early life in Victoria are not presently available. His name appears in very early references to land purchases - "August 22, 1853, John Gregg, 30 acres," which seems to indicate that he was not an indentured labourer.1 His name does not appear on the passenger lists of the Harpooner, Tory, Cowlitz or Norman Morison for the period prior to 1853. However, the passenger list for the Tory is reputedly incomplete; hence it is possible he arrived in November, 1851.2
By 1857, Gregg was listed as a "farmer, residing in Esquimalt."3 Two sons were born to Gregg and his wife Margaret: John, May 27, 1854, and Robert, June 1, 1856; both were christened April 14, 1857, by Reverend Cridge.4 The two boys later appeared in Claypoles' attendance record for 1863-64 with the notation that John was "very excellent, deserving of Governor's first prize." In 1865, John Gregg attended the Craigflower examinations; the pupils were now under the tutelage of Thomas Russell. Alfred Waddington, then superintendent of schools, noted the presence of Gregg and four parents who claimed:
"their children have learnt more in two months than In a year before with Mr. Claypole."5
1 "Land Sales," HBC accounts. Ft. Victoria. A/C/15/H86, p. 20.
2 A. N. Mouatt, Notes on the Norman Morison, BCHQ, Vol. III, 1939, p. 205 - cites Captain Grant and J. S. Helmcken who claim there were 80 emigrants on board; only 55 are included in the list.
3 Baptismal Register. Ft. Victoria. 1851-58
4 Ibid.
5 Waddington, Report on Schools. July 19, 1865.
John and Margaret Gregg
known children
- John, born May 27, 1854
- Robert, born June 1, 1856