Paul Allen

AO Peter Robinson papers (MS 12)

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by

Paul
in

The Archives of Ontario holds several microfilm reels with copies of volumes relating to Peter Robinson, including the Peter Robinson papers (MS 12). See also the holdings of the Peter Robinson fonds in the Library and Archives Canada.

In November 1970, the Archives of Ontario published an inventory of the Peter Robinson papers that had been copied to three reels of microfilm. For convenience, we have transcribed the inventory in full:

PETER ROBINSON PAPERS
Microfilmed: Ms 12
Accession: 1600
23/11/70
The Peter Robinson papers include correspondence, ledgers, ships lists and census material pertaining to the emigration of Irishmen to the Peterborough area in 1823 and 1825. The papers extend to approximately 2 linear feet. The loose material and the bound volumes of manuscript records have not been separated into two sections but filmed together in chronological order. Each individual item or page in a bound volume has been numbered.
Index Title Dates of creation Physical
description		 Scope and content
1 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE. 1823-1834 1 inch. Includes miscellaneous letters to Robinson concerning his emigration schemes of 1823-25 and drafts or copies of some of his outgoing correspondence. Of special interest are copies of his official correspondence with Robert Wilmot-Horton, the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. This series is arranged in alphabetical order.
2 APPLICATIONS FROM PROSPECTIVE EMIGRANTS. 1823-25 5 inches. Applications and recommendations from or concerning Irishmen wishing to emigrate under Robinson’s supervision. Arranged alphabetically by the names of persons applying or recommended. Most of the recommendations, or certificates of character, are from landlords, magistrates or clergymen.
3 EMIGRANTS EMBARKED ON THE “HEBE” AND “STAKESBY”. 1823 ¼ inch. Lists of Robinson’s emigrants embarked at Cove in 1823 on the HEBE and STAKESBY. There are two lists for each ship differing slightly in detail.
4 LOCATION TICKETS ISSUED TO SETTLERS. 1823 2 ½ inches. Location tickets issued to Robinson’s settlers on the authority of the Land Board of Bathurst. Arranged alphabetically by the names of locatees. These appear to be confined to the 1823 emigration.
5 EMIGRANTS LOCATED IN TWPS. OF RAMSAY, PAKENHAM AND HUNTLEY. 1823 ¼ inch. List of emigrants lists the locatee’s birthplace in Ireland as well as his place of location in Bathurst. Includes one person located in Goulburn.
6 SCHEDULE OF LOCATION OF 1823 EMIGRANTS. 1823 Bound volume.
½ inch.		 Manuscript record giving lot on which each emigrant was settled and lists the tools, clothing and livestock issued to each family.
7 EMBARKATION CERTIFICATES. 1825 2 ½ inches. Certificates are arranged alphabetically by the names of the families receiving them. In effect, these were the emigrants’ notices that their applications had been accepted. All certificates appear to be concerned with Robinson’s second (1825) settlement scheme. It does not follow, however, that all persons holding these documents actually embarked.
8 EMIGRANTS EMBARKED AT COVE. 1825 1 inch. Robinson’s emigrants are listed under the ship in which they sailed.
9 RETURN OF EMIGRANTS EMBARKED AT COVE. 1825 Bound volume.
¾ inch.		 Manuscript record giving names and ages of the various members of each family, the names of their ships, and the amount of pork and flour issued to each as ships’ rations. (This volume contains all the information present in item 8 save the names of the landlords or sponsors of the various emigrants.)
10 EMIGRANTS EMBARKED AT COVE. 1825 1 inch. Manuscript material duplicates information present in items 8 and 9.
11 REPORTS BY SHIPS’ SURGEONS. 1825 ¼ inch. Manuscript material consists of reports by ships’ surgeons on the conduct and character of emigrants under their care.
12 RETURNS OF SHIPS’ SURGEONS. 1825 ¼ inch. This series consists of returns of ships’ surgeons of the time spent conveying the emigrants after their landing in Canada.
13 GENERAL MATERIAL CONCERNING ROBINSON’S EMIGRANTS. 1825 ¼ inch. These general statements respecting the distribution and total numbers of Robinson’s emigrants in Canada seem to be confined to the 1825 group. They indicate fluctuations caused by deaths, births and desertions.
14 PRINTED NOTICE “EMIGRATION TO CANADA”. 1825 1 item. This notice sets forth the terms of Robinson’s plan of settlement for 1825.
15 ROBINSON’S EMIGRANTS LISTED BY TOWNSHIP. 1825 Bound volume.
½ inch.		 Manuscript record listing Robinson’s emigrants of 1825 according to the township in which each one settled and showing rations of food issued.
16 ROBINSON’S EMIGRANTS LISTED BY TOWNSHIP. 1825 Bound volume.
½ inch.		 This manuscript record is similar to item 15 but with certain differences in detail.
17 ACCOUNT BOOK. 1825 Bound volume.
¼ inch.		 Manuscript record listing rations issued to the 1825 settlers located in Douro and Smith Townships.
18 REGISTER OF GOODS ISSUED TO SETTLERS. 1825 Bound volume.
¼ inch.		 Manuscript record listing blankets, tools and livestock issued to Robinson’s emigrants of 1825.
19 PRINTED CIRCULARS. 1828 ½ inch. This series consists of answers to a number of questions addressed to Robinson’s settlers concerning their attitude toward emigration to Canada. They are arranged alphabetically by the names of the persons answering the questions.
20 ASSESSMENT ROLL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF SMITH. 1828 1 item. None.
21 ACCOUNT BOOK. 1844 Bound volume.
½ inch.		 Manuscript record consisting of account book of payments under the road-tax assessment.
22 SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS OF LOTS IN PETERBOROUGH CO. 1844 Bound volume.
¼ inch.		 Manuscript record listing purchasers of various lots in Peterborough County. This list probably includes persons other than Robinson’s settlers or their descendents.
23 MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS. n.d. ¼ inch. None.