Simpson, his wife Elizabeth, and two young children shipped steerage on the Norman Morison, arriving at Fort Victoria Jan. 16, 1853. Accompanying them were Jonathan's brother Henry and his wife Adelaide. Although not part of the Craigflower contingent they were indentured to the Puget Sound Agricultural Company to work as labourers for a period of five years.¹ Henry was destined for the farm at Constance Cove of which Skinner was the baliff and Jonathan was bound for Langford's farm at Colwood.

Unfortunately the names of Jonathan's two eldest children are not presently known. However, shortly after their arrival, two more children were born: Emily Susannah, July 7, 1854 and Sarah, August 28, 1855. In the absence of a colonial chaplain following the death of Rev. Staines, the children were baptised 'en masse' with children of Craigflower by Rev. Holmes, chaplain of HMS President, October 28, 1855. A son, Henry, was born to Henry and Adelaide Simpson at this time, October 17, 1855 and christened by Holmes Oct. 21, 1855.²

At the expiry of their PSACo. contracts both men bought land in adjacent areas. Jonathan acquired 25 acres in 'Esquimalt district' while Henry purchased the same amount in 'South Saanich.'³

In May of 1860 another daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth was christened Leida Elizabeth by Rev. Lowe. On August 12, 1860, Rev. A.C. Garrett baptized two children of Henry and his wife: William and Sarah Ann. Although records for Henry indicate that lie had achieved the status of "fanner", the entry for Jonathan at the time of baptism of his son Edward, Oct. 7, 1860, list him still as 'labourer - Colwood-Esquimalt.'⁴

Unexpectedly in 1865, Jonathan's wife Elizabeth died at the age of thirty-three. The record of her death reveals that harsh brevity of the lives of many labouring class women. At the time of embarkation on the Norman Morison she was twenty years old and the mother of two children. Within the next thirteen years she bore four children and possibly others who were still-born or unregistered.

1 PSACo. agreements are not presently available in PABC, therefore place of origin is not known. Information regarding Simpson has been derived from other documents; Log of Norman Morison, HBC Arch. c.1/615 fo. 2-3; Baptismal Records., Ft. Victoria. 1851-58.

2 Baptismal Records, op. cit.

3 "Land Sales", HBC A/C Ft. Victoria, (A/C 15 H86) Dec. 1857. As 25 acres was a modest purchase they may have obtained more the following year.

4 Christ Church Baptismal Register 1859-72, No. 371, 380, 381, 392.

Jonathan and Elizabeth Simpson (Langford's farm)

- 2 children in 1852 (names not known)

- Emily Susannah, born July 7, 1854

- Sarah - born Aug. 28, 1855

- Leida Elizabeth, baptized May 27, 1860

- Edward, baptized, Oct. 7, 1860

Henry and Adelaide Simpson

- Henry, born Oct. 17, 1855

- William, baptized Aug. 12, 1860

- Sarah Ann, baptized Aug. 12, 1860

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