JAMES WHYTE (aka John White)

James Whyte of Crichton Pathhead, Haddington, and his wife Mary had the distinction of having brought the largest family of the labouring class to Craigflower. With their five children, aged 10, 8, 5, 4, 1, they shipped steerage on the Norman Morison, arriving at Ft. Victoria, January 18, 1853.¹ Whyte had contracted to work for McKenzie as a labourer at fl7 per annum. As early as Feb. 2, 1853 Whyte was 'removed to the farm' from Ft. Victoria; this was temporary accommodation as the chimney on his house was not erected until Sept. 23, 1853.² Another child was born Mar. 28, 1854 and subsequently christened John, Oct. 8, 1854 by Rev. Holmes, Chaplain of HMS President.³ In the summer of 1855, Whyte was moved to a new, possibly larger, house and John Instant occupied Whyte's former house. Another child was born Oct. 3, 1856 and christened Ellen by Rev. Cridge, March 22, 1857. A final baptismal entry for Mary, April 12, 1859, records that Whyte's occupation was still that of a labourer at Craigflower.

Whyte appears to have been one of the steady workers at Craigflower. He is frequently mentioned in McKenzie's journals:

A final reference for this period indicates that a son, James, was now assisting White in his tasks and that the family had remained in McKenzie's employ after White's contract had expired:

Endnotes:

1 "List of men, women and children engaged to go to Vancouver's Island with Mr. McKenzie, Aug. 1852", McKenzie's Daybook 1867-68. Some disparity exists in that a typed transcript of the "Log of the Norman Morison 1852-53" in H.B.C. Archives c.1 615 fo. 2-3 - records only James Whyte, wife and infant and yet McKenzie has recorded individual ages of the children. Melrose noted that "Whyte's girl died" at sea, Oct. 21, 1852. Robert Weir's family included 4 children and 2 brothers. Weir, who was hired as a land steward, did not remain at Craigflower.

2 Melrose, loc. cit.

3 Record of baptisms, Ft. Victoria. 1852-58. In the absence of a colonial chaplain following Staine's death. Rev. Holmes acted in that capacity. The children of McKenzie, Downie, Liddle and Melrose were baptised at the same time.

4 Record of baptisms, loc. cit.

5 Ibid.

6 McKenzie papers, daybooks 1856-60. A/E/M19/H 19.7, A/E/M19/M19.8.

James Whyte - labourer Pathhead, Haddington (aka John White)

- wife Mary

(1852) 5 children aged 10, 8,5,3,1 (one of which died en route to Victoria)

- John - born Mar. 28, 1854

- Ellen - born Oct. 3, 1856

- Mary - baptised Apr. 12, 1859

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