Nine Ships 1825 – Peter Robinson Irish Emigration Bicentennial Presentation
Tuesday, January 21st at Peterborough Historical Society.
A presentation about the Nine Ships 1825 – Peter Robinson Irish Emigration Bicentennial will take place at the Peterborough Historical Society meeting on Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre, 347 Burnham Street in Peterborough. The public is welcome to attend.
The Peter Robinson Emigration of 1825 was a landmark initiative that brought over 2,000 Irish men, women, and children to Canada to “the place at the end of the rapids” which the local First Nations at that time called Nogojiwanong. This laid the foundation for what would later be called Peterborough. This unique government experiment was aimed at testing the viability of British emigration policy by covering all expenses for settlers for 18 months. Each family’s journey and experiences were meticulously documented, providing a rich archival resource.
“The Peterborough Historical Society is pleased to host this evening and provide the opportunity for the public to become informed about this local history.” states President Don Willcock.
The Board of the not-for-profit Nine Ships 1825 Inc., made up of Chair Brendan Moher, Vice-Chair Mary Smith, Director Maureen Crowley and Directors and historians Dennis Carter-Edwards and Elwood Jones, will provide this presentation about the importance of this emigration to the Peterborough community and highlight some of the many events that are planned to mark the Bicentennial in 2025, particularly during August 1-10.
Nine Ships 1825 Inc. has been formed to coordinate and promote all the local Irish related heritage/historical and community groups that are planning events such as bus tours, a boat tour, a Heritage Fair with exhibits and displays of historic material related to the original families. In addition, there will be plays put on by 4th Line Theatre and Trent Valley Archives and traditional Irish music. There will be a panel discussion held at Traill College, Trent University, comprised of leading experts. They will explore the broad themes of migration, cultural adaptation to a new physical and cultural environment, fashioning an identity in this new environment and the legacy that is sustained by later generations.
Nine Ships 1825 Inc. was named after the nine ships that carried the Irish emigrants across the Atlantic in 1825, these ships were named: the Fortitude, John Barry, Resolution, Regulus, Albion, Star, Elizabeth, Amity, and the Brunswick. They embarked from Cobh, County Cork, and set sail towards what was then Lower and Upper Canada.
“The name “Nine Ships 1825” serves as a tribute to the courage and resilience of these emigrants. It reflects the arduous journey they undertook and the significant impact their settlement had on the development of our local communities. We honour the legacy of those who braved the unknown to build a new life in Canada, and we commemorate
the foundational role these settlers played in shaping the identity and history of our community.” states Board Chair Brendan Moher.
The history of the Robinson Irish emigrants is intertwined with that of the Indigenous peoples of the region, particularly the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg (Mississauga) First Nations on whose territory the Robinson emigrants came to call home. The Bicentenary of the Robinson emigration invites reflection on these complex histories, honouring the resilience of the early settlers, while respecting truth and reconciliation efforts within our community.
The website www.nineships1825.com is designed to share information about the Bicentennial project and everyone is encouraged to visit the site to learn more.
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For more information please contact:
Nine Ships 1825 Inc. Director on the Board and Secretary
Maureen Crowley – Email: Tel. 705 939-6135
Caption: Nine Ships 1825 Inc. Board of Directors –
Top (from left to right): Elwood Jones, Dennis Carter-Edwards, Brendan Moher
Lower (from left to right): Mary Smith, Maureen Crowley
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