Emigrant Ships
When Dales' folk emigrated, they often went
in groups. A fortunate researcher may find
ancestors listed on these ships. Some of
these are listed here

Emigrants waiting in Leyburn Market Place for carriage to Liverpool.
Edward Broderick's diary Sep 3rd 1830
John and I went to the Gill head to the high road. John Metcalfe and Wm Kilburn are the Overseers this year. Emigration to America was the theme of Conversation all apparently are for going but few go.
24 Sep. We received a letter from Metcalfe Bell out of america in which he says that they are at a house 2 miles from Pottsville in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania and are working in the Coal mines live in a wood house, earn a Dollar per day, have provisions cheap and though he does not wish to advise others is very thankfull that ever they went. they were 6 days on their journey from Philadelphia up the river to Pottsville and six before they got work
this is the second letter we have got since they got into America the first was sent on their arrival. Metcalfe and his wife set said on the 22 of May in company with Henry Hunt his wife and child Anthony Hunt and John Holmes all of Gunnerside. the coal seam or vein in which they are working is 6ft thick
Sep 26
after tea we took a walk to the east end of Feetham to Ambrose Whitels to see a letter from Thomas Hugill who went over to America about two years ago with Robert Waller they are now smelters at some lead mines at Galena, Illinois State.
March 20 1833
About a fortnight ago Wm Woodward received a letter from metcalfe bell in which he tells us he has married again and describes America in such flattering terms as to induce Wm seriously to think of going he has persuaded my father to take the land off his hand given Mr Iverton notice and had his sale of Slack this day they sold well it is so unexpected I hardly know what to think of it. John Bell is for going too.
April 20th
I am neglectful of my diary but since writing the above John Bell has had his sale both of stock and furniture I bought the plough nearly new for 12/6 and Wm got a letter from Joseph Daykin who was barely recovered from the Typhus Fever to say that he was begin in the small pox poor Joseph has hard fortune the little money that he has been scraping up to carry him to America he intended to go this spring whether Wm went or not, will I doubt go fast well this day Wm Woodward has had his sale of furniture and I have been writing for him it was uncommonly well attended and things sold well they all kept their spirits well up considering they sold nearly all except their bedding.
April 24 William have been packing up their things and now when parting begins to be so near we all find it to be very painful it was late before I got to bed Wm and Nanny slept at our house and John his wife and their children and Peggy and Ruth I was truly sorry to part with Ruth she was a fine little girl sisters Ann and Mary sat up all night and I got up about 2 oclock and went down to look at a cow we had about calving the morning was dark and wet and looked very unpropitious when I came back I found William busy packing the boxes and preparing to load the carts he possesses wonderful resolution though I had always thought favourably of America and believed they were acting wisely in going yet I confess my spirits were so much depressed at the thoughts of their long and dangerous journey and the difficulties they would have to encounter that I felt very much inclined to persuade William to stay they set of soon after 5 oclock.
Wensleydale Advertiser
June 18, 1844
"Several families have passed through
Hawes during the past week on their way to
the port of Liverpool where they intend to
embark for the USA. They are all from the
upper part of Swaledale."
1st April 1845
"Upward of fifty individuals have passed
through Hawes this week on their way to Liverpool
to embark for the United States. They are
principally husbandmen from the neighbourhood
of Swaledale."
3rd Mar 1846
"A correspondent informs us that emigration
is going on to a great extent to Australia,
Cape of Good Hope and British America. In
the early part of next month vessels will
leave London for the above colonies in which
a free passage will be granted to the two
former places. The passage to America is
for adults £5 each including provisions during
the voyage. Parties desirous of availing
themselves of the present opportunity should
lose no time in making application to Mr.
R. O. Warwick Governor of the Leyburn Workhouse
who we are informed is appointed general
commission agent for all Her Majesty's colonies."