CALEB PIKE
Caleb Pike and his brothers William and Jonas, were among a party of eighty immigrants on board the Norman Morison for her first voyage to the Pacific coast. Commanded by Captain Wishart, they left Gravesend at the mouth of the Thames, Oct. 20, 1849, rounded Cape Horn January 11, 1850 and arrived at Ft. Victoria March 24.1 Pike, a native of Dorsetshire, along with many others on board, was contracted to serve with the Hudson's Bay Company. It was only at a later date that he was to work occasionally at Craigflower or obtain supplies from McKenzie.
As an illiterate labourer, Pike was indentured to the Hudson's Bay Company for a period of five years. As such he worked at the various Hudson's Bay farms in the immediate area.2 In 1856 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Duncan Lidgate of Craigflower. It appears that he may have worked for McKenzie at that time.3 In May of that year he was able to purchase forty acres of land in the Esquimalt district.4
The following year, a son, Robert, was born but died a week later, Oct. 7, 1857, and was buried "in absence of a chaplain."5 However, in 1860 a daughter, Helen, was baptized and the following year, Emma was christened August 4, 1861. By that time, Pike was listed as a "farmer, Highland district."6
However, up until 1859 Caleb Pike was mentioned in McKenzie's ration book as receiving such items as mutton, potatoes, tea, rice, sugar, bread and flour.7
In 1862, Pike advertised property near Esquimalt:
"To be sold, let or leased, 'Yew Tree Farm,' situated two miles from Esquimalt Harbor, consisting of 286 acres of land, with an abundant and constant stream of fresh water, dwelling house, barn, stables, outhouses. About nine tons of hay, and present crops. Farm utensils of all kinds. One half under fence. For further particulars apply at Bailey's Grocery Store, or Caleb Pike, on the premises."8
It appears that at different times Pike owned or managed three separate farms: Yew Tree Farm, (Esquimalt District), Pike's Lake Farm, (Highland district) and the "old Pears place, Wilkinson Road."9
A Colonist reference in 1867 notes that Pike was involved in altercation:
John Vincent yesterday was charged with punching the head of Caleb Pike and was ordered to find security to keep the peace for three months.10
Following his death January 17, 1888 the following obituary was printed:
"A few days ago the-grave closed over the remains of Caleb Pike, a pioneer of pioneers, who came first to Victoria in 1850 in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Mr. Pike remained several years in the company's employ, and when the period of his engagement expired began farming and stock-raising on his own account.
"At one time Mr. Pike owned a farm on the Lower Fraser, but afterwards returned to the Island and established a sheep and cattle ranch among the Goldstream Hills. The deceased had been ailing for some years, but death came suddenly at last. His wife, by whom he had 10 children, six of whom survive, died several years ago. His brother Jonas died in November last, and his other brother William is a farmer on the Fraser River.
"It is seldom that the country is called on to mourn over a pioneer so generally respected as the late Mr. Pike, and his children have the great sympathy of their many friends."11
Endnotes:
1 List of Passengers from England, Norman Morison, 1850. Add. Mss., 611; A.N. Mouatt, "Notes on the Norman Morison", BCHQ, Vol. III, 1939. J.S. Helmcken, the new 'colonial' surgeon, was also on board as were other men who appeared later at Craigflower - Wm. Hillier, John Crittle and Mathias Rowland.
2 These are not to be confused with the 3 farms of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company - a separate company - but with similar purposes i.e. colonization and self-sufficiency. Pike's illiteracy is determined from his signature (X his mark).
3 Marriage Register, Ft. Vancouver, Langley and Victoria 1837-58. His residence at that time is listed as Craigflower.
4 "Land Sales", HBC A/C Ft. Victoria, AC 15 H86.
5 "Burials", Fort Victoria, 1851-58.
6 Christ Church Baptismal Register No. 370 and 420.
7 McKenzie, Daybook 1858-59, A E M19 M19.7.
8 Daily British Colonist, May 15, 1862, p. 2.
9 Information provided by Pike family, Vertical file, PABC.
10 Daily British Colonist. Mar. 24, 1867, p. 3.
11 Daily Colonist, Jan. 21, 1888, p. 5.
GENEALOGY
Caleb and Elizabeth Pike (nee Lidgate)
- married Feb. 22, 1856
- Caleb died Jan. 17, 1888
Robert - born and died Oct. 1857
Helen - baptised May 27, 1860
Emma - baptised Aug. 4, 1861
- married Joseph Dixon
other children included:
Henry - married Elizabeth Ross, Langford
Charles - unmarried
Ann - married Edward Simpson, Victoria
Mary - married Tom Treat (?) Victoria
Elizabeth – married - Meredith, Victoria
(others not presently known)