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In England the people were taxed heavily. This factor, plus having the opportunity to start a new life in another country, could have been the reasons for William and Mary Ann to decide to migrate to Australia. They sailed from Liverpool, England, on February 25th, 1857, in the sailing ship Tantivy of 1,040 tons and arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia, on June 4th, 1857, with another 341 migrants to S.A. The Tantivy was on it's way to Sydney having on board some immigrants for that state. At the time of sailing William gave his occupation as a labourer of the County of Wiltshire. William and Mary Ann were listed on the passenger list as Merritt, spelling mistakes being quite common at that time. The population of the Province of South Australia in 1857 when the Merretts arrived was as follows: Males - 43,720. Females - 41,189. Passenger list in detail.  Freight list in detail.
THE TANTIVY This fine ship, chartered by the Emigration Commissioners, as recently notified, arrived on Thursday, June 4, 1857, after a fine passage from Liverpool. We presented in our publication of yesterday a list of the names of the immigrants, and now give further particulars. The total number embarked was 341, and the number on arrival was 345, the births on the voyage having exceeded the small number of deaths among the young children. The experienced Surgeon-Superintendent, Mr James Barlas, has completed his seventh voyage in charge of emigrants from the United Kingdom, including those of the Lysander, Oregon, Coromandel, and Tantivy, arrived at this colony, and three ships chartered for Sydney and Melbourne. Dr Duncan, Immigration Agent, visited the Tantivy yesterday, and after the inspection expressed his entire satisfaction - the excellence of the arrangements, the cleanliness of the ship, and the demeanour of the emigrants being severally deemed worthy of high commendation. The following is the official summary: Married couples, 45 -(90) Single men, 153 Single women, 34 Children under 12yrs, Males,34; Females,32; infants,8 Births during the voyage, 7 Deaths, (infants),3 Toyal arrived, 345. The national classification is as follows: English, 240 Scotch, 31 Irish, 106 The industrial classification comprises: Copper miners, 32 Agricultural labourers, 51 Sempstresses, 2 Smith, 1 Diarymaid, 1 Ploughman, 1 Female servants, 31 The Tantivy was towed into harbour last evening under the superintendence of Pilot Woolnough. Those persons who have friends on board will therefore have immediate access to the ship, proper inspection having been made by the Health Officer. |