On the 17th of May 1855, George, his mother Hannah (not sureabout this) and his two sons, Charles and John left Lincolnshireand travelled to Hull, where they boarded the Mayfair ship,which sailed for Canada, arriving at Bolton, Albion Township, inthe Province of Ontario on July 25th 1855. (John Higgins 9.6.97)(Hannah is probably George's sister.)

George DUCKERING recorded living at Maryborough Township, Canada1871

George farmed west half Lot 8, Concession 13 from 1871 to 1895.This property was then owned by Charles from 1895 to 1909, thenEzra 1909 to1910 then Ann DUCKERING 1910/1910.

Typed Copy of George Duckering's Diary, written in 1874/5
Recording a Return Visit to Lincolnshire

George Duckering - Book

Maryborough,
Wellington County
Rothesay (?) P.O.
Ontario, Canada

Title Page dated November 10, 1874, though text continues into1875

Journey to America in 1855

Left home 17 May. Left Hull on Monday 21 May at ten o'clock forAmerica. It had been a rainy day. The packet towed us down the channel then we had a fair wind for the south. We made good passage that day, then the wind changed to the south. Then we took trips on the German Osen (?) till Thursday 24th in the afternoon. Then the wind changed right for us Friday morning. We came 100 miles last night down the English channel - we came most of the in the afternoon. Saturday we sailed in sight of land 2 or 3 miles from the cliffs. Sunday was a rainy day - we lost sight of land that day. Monday a gentle wind and not much done that day. Monday night a wind got up and a rough sea. We had done 400 miles by Wednesday night. Thursday was a fine day with a light breeze.

June 1 Friday morning rainy until noon then the wind got up ahead to the west, it continued blowing very hard till Wednesday night, blowing us many hundreds of miles to the south. Sunday was a very rough day and Monday and Monday night in particular and then it abated at the end of the day. The day is 2 hours later than when we left home. It is dark at half past seven at night, the sun is nearly over us at noon. When the wind changes we shall then have to sail to the north west. Thursday fine day, Friday fine day, Saturday a fine day - the wind has been 8 days ahead to the south. On Sunday the wind changed right round. We have been 10 days in gaining 40 miles - the sea has been very calm for the last 6 days.

Sunday 17th the wind got up this morning and blew a strong gale for 2 days and we came 350 miles. Tuesday a rainy day, Wednesday a fair wind, the day is 3 hours shorter. Thursday a fair wind, June 21 we came to the banks of Newfoundland this morning, and it is November weather as it is misty and we can only just see the end of the ship. There are two men watching and blowing horns for fear of being run up on the land. We have only had five days of fair wind since we came to sea 5 weeks ago.

Saturday we saw two icebergs this morning we saw some large fish they called finers(?) and some large porpoise? pigs? as we came on Monday fine morning and hed wind we establish a new market today on the banks of Newfoundland in Longitude 50 about 150 miles of foundl and paraps you will not come to our market it was a profitable one. 25 June tel you for why when we first started for Sea the Capten wosent willing to weigh out our bisket and wrise and oatmeal it was too much troble
we was to have it two? ran? two? when one bag was done we was to have another poten? ? and what did we desire more than plenty he said if we should be so particular to every rule he should so we gave in to him we had been 4 weeks at sea and only used 3 bags of bisket and one bag of rise the next week there was two bags of biskets used the Capton be gun to say we was using more than was aloud he would weigh us out on munday and we had no biskets in the bag on Sunday the bags weigh 8 ston each.

We have been 5 weeks at sea and only used 5 bags of biskets and one bag of oatmeal 20 ston one bag of rise and a piece weighing14 ston. So we reckoned what we had and what was due to us and maid out our acount and put all our names on it that we meant to have all that was due to us as he has refused us some of coming down when the bag was empty or else or else we should put him to troble when we get to Quebeck. We thought of us weighing out the next week and saying nothing a ? bought the back reckoning the thought we did not now what we had but he was deceived withus we was not so big as fools as he want us. We was Lincolnshire and Yorkshire and some good scholars among us. They reckoned all up and we wanted one hundred and eleven stonof oatmeal and 22 ston of rise and 24 ston of biskets besideswhat oatmeal and rise we had in the bags as much as will serve as another week. There was 104 passengers on board and 73 adults belonging to us. The back reckoning of oatmeal amounted to one stone and a half, the rice amounted to 3lb 10 ounces each adult, the biskets amounted to 4lbs 5 ounces each adult besides our weekly allowance it was a ? day so we called it Newfoundland market he had 5 stone and a half of oatmeal in my bag and 18lb of rise besides biskets the bighter got bit this time!

Tuesday very calm this morning - the water is as smooth as apond. Last 3 days misty and very could and hed wind done very little. Sunday July 1 little more favourable we left Newfoundland this morning monday misty tuesday misty and cold. Little more favourable wednesday and very fine at sunset. The wind got up and continued for 24 hours. Thursday we came 180miles past several islands Friday very calm as a pond Saturday little more favourable Sunday 8 we came to the river Saint Lorens (Lawrence) Monday very calm while the aft (?) then the wind got up. We came 150 miles by Tuesday morning then hed wind. Wednesday very calm Thursday very calm Friday calm Saturday hed wind while noon then we came past the red light and the green ?

Sunday July 15 hed wind right up the river Wednesday 18 we came to the Coronation Island ? This morning it is black and the doctor on bord at 5. 4 ships at once with emigrants came away the other too had to stay they had measles and small pox. We arrived at Quebeck at 8 o'clock at night on July 18. We had been 8 weeks and 4 days at sea, We landed at Toronto on Sunday at 10 o clock on the 22 July 1855, arrived at Albion on Wednesday 25 July having been 10 weeks on our journey.


Next two pages appear to be lists of ingredients for oils.






Journey back to England in 1874

November 14 1874 Left Quebeck on Saturday at 11 o'clock on the14 sighted Cap rase ? on Monday morning - the log is taken at 12o'clock 283 - Sunday fair wind past Cape Ray 304 - Monday pastNewfoundland at noon 300 Tuesday north east wind for three days sea rough 285, Wednesday 145 good deal of sickness Thursday rainy day and misty the only one we had with waves over the ship, pots and pans flew, pretty lively through the night - 260 Friday sea rough fair wind - 300 Saturday fine 295, Sunday fine290 Monday night came to Ireland landing the Irish and Scots at? o'clock in the morning, last ancer at twelve o'clock Tuesday night.

Stay in London

Got to London on Wednesday night at 8 o'clock. I got a could on bord the ship and the whether was wet I did not go out much this week. December 1 I went ought with the boys - what I saw Icould not particularly tell Gentleman's houses and large shops
Tuesday in Hide Park travelling up and down the walks to one scene then another till I came to Prince Albert Monument the finest in the world - the pinnacles is covered with images of great men all covered with gold. Wednesday travelling in the Green Park and Bucking Palice and the gardens and the Duke of Wellington iron monument made of old guns taken in different wars. He is on another monument near his own house on a blackhorse - it is near my brother's house. It is a quid to find my way home when I am by myself.

Thursday I took a three or four mile walk through the streets - I was in Leicester Square garden and thro Rotten Row and Piccadilly. Friday I was to visit ? Station and had a rideon the underground railroad, went to Covent Garden and I saw Nelson's monument. Saturday at South Kensington Museum what I saw I could not begin to describe. I saw the umberale ? that was brought from the Ashanti war. Sunday at chapel in the morning at the Saint James Hall or Kethedrell at night. Monday I take about a six mile walk through High (Hyde?) Park through Oxford Street through Holborn Street, where Holborn Street comes above another street to an underground station. Tuesday I took a tram this morning first to vicory station then to westminsteraby and to the House of Comons then over westminster brigabout a mile then back beside the Thames to the railway brigthat crosses the Thames - it is called the Blackfriers - it ismade from iron and then to another one but made of ston crosses the road wide then the concessions one span and the thames at nine span. I could not get up without being in the top streets? Then I went to the Blackfriers station one above and underneath then to the Covent market if you want to se fruits and vegetables that is the plaise to go then I came to where the horse gards were quartered I saw them in their central boxes on horse back. Then I came to the fountains in Trafalgar Square and I saw nelson's Monument and the Duke of York then I turned homeward running fast.

Wednesday I take another direction King's Road Chelsey barracks then over the Thames across the new iron brig called the Albert Brige opened in July 1874 by the Duke and Duchess of Edinboro then to the railway araches and briges. I went under four in avery short distance. There was four or five more of them, crossed over top of them ok karshes ? all going to one large brig over the Thames fifty yards wide.

Thursday I take a ramble through kenington past kenington Barracks to kenington road station in the afternoon I went to the west minster brige down the Thames to London Brige I went under 7 other briges I went to blackfriers station then to Billingsgate fish market then to the fat cattle show then to Smithfield meat market. I think it is five or six acres of ground all covered in and the cattle show all with glass. then I went to the General Post office then I came through Piccadilly homeward.

Visit to Horsham

After tea I went to Horsham 36 miles I was there too weeks nothing particluar happened I was to the market twice one dayshooting another day to see a big pig killed that weighed 72ston and lost ten cents ? in the weight. Left Horsham on Christmas Eve for London to spend the Christmas.

Christmas in London

Christmas with brother large party Saturday and Sunday not farfrom home. Monday with the boys through the streets and to the Serpentine in the park at night to a school feast at victorychapel. Tuesday I took a stroll through eaton Square and King's Road to ?? Gardens and as far as the gasworks and at night to sirkis (circus?) Wednesday through Bucking Palice grounds tothe Parade grounds then to Westminster Brige then round StThomas Hospital to Halbirt ? brig and to victory station then home to diner the afternoon to a Christmas party while after midnight. Thursday very misty spent the day on the Serpentinein Hide Park with thousands of skaters and sliders at sixo'clock I went to a fine large mansion near victory station. At eight o'clock I went to get my soper with Keziah.

Visit to Lincoln

Friday the first of January 1875 at nine o'clock I left London for Lincoln. Arrived at Nettleham at five o'clock. Monday I went to barkworth. Tuesday to Market Rasen. Wednesday to Legsby and Thirby with a party shooting. Thursday to Sotby near benileth ? shooting. Friday back to Nettleham back again and too Lincoln to Hemswell. Monday to Harpswell dined with Marster and Mrs Tomer and family. Then to Filingham staid at Mr Holmsall night then to Ingham staid at Mr Masons all night. Wednesday Camering ? to naisthorpe Brattleby to Tillrigs ? then to Ingleby to diner then to Saxelby to catch the train then to ?then to Gains for the night. Thursday to Northorpe ? to Kirtonthen to Hemswell Cliff to Coupland Farm to Sunday. Sunday to Hemswell till Tuesday to Gainsborough.

Visit to Yorkshire

Took the train to Leeds then to Guiseley then to ? Friday to nettley Market Saturday to Bradford in the afternoon was walkingup and down to the Principle's place and the market place. At night Manningham in the suburbs of Bradford there is the fineststone for building I ever saw the houses is like white brick andbuilt the same thickness. Whole streets of new houses and thepath ways all flagged and the roads all paved the country asstone of all descriptions. I came back to Yedon on Sundaynight. This part of the country is like the last of it abovewith stone of different descriptions some of a sandstone othersa flag stone the houses is built of stone 8 to 10 inches thickand covered with flag stone, the gates is hung on stone posts Iforgot to mention when I was at Manningham I saw a new silkfactory the front near the street was one thousand feet long the first story was built of stones too feet thick from 6 to 10 ft high along one of the biggest and highest chimneys in thecountry. The country is very hilly too or three miles from oneto the other Some ? 4 or 5 miles the ground rises graduallyfrom one to another. The country is mostly grazing.

Back to London

Thursday January 28, 1875 left Yeadon for Doncaster. Friday this part of the county as all brick houses and slated roofs. Isaw coal pits and iron furnaces as I came on the train toLincoln then to Nettleham. Wednesday I left Lincoln for London.Arrived at the Northern Station, then I took the midland rodesome time underground then over the ouse top level by thechimney pots as far as the eye could see, crossed the Thamestwice, travelled over London from North to South to VictoryStation. Thursday I strolled through Hide Park and KensingtonGardens and the Shrubbery where I saw trees from all nations,several from Canada, there was their names printed printedagainst them and round Prince Albert's Monument. Friday I wasround Buckingham Palace and the Queene driving park / and theShrubbery and over the iron brige over the fishpond thenwatching the soulders exercise then to Westminster Abey and theParliament buildings then up parliament Street past theHorsegards then to trafalgar Square and the fountains then fortoo miles to Charing Cross then home another wey for diner andtired. Saturday I spent in the Kensington Museum.

Monday at 8 started for West minster brige took the steam boteto London Brige then to Billingsgate the fish market thedirtiest place I ever found then I travelled till I came to theTower where they was to ? people at one time then I turned againand crossed London brige then I turned to the left through thewholesale potato market then I took a stroll through the QueenElizabeth street for about too miles then I turned back it beingdiner time and too far from home I called at a tavern too pennyworth of bred and cheese and too glasses of beer then I cameback to the brige then I went through Waldon St to CamberwellStreet then I turned back and took another turn and came to awhite monument that was erected in George the Third time withinscriptions to different parts of the city. Then I came downBlackfriers Rode and over the Blackfriers Brige and in thestation. It is above the ground top of the houses when I was inthe street I could see the bars going past the windows there wasstores underneath they looked as if the bars was going throughthe chambers. Then I strolled first in one direction and thenanother till I came to Charing Cross then being tired and pastfour o'clock and a long way from home I got into omblebush ? andcame to High Park Corner within five minutes walk. landed homeafter seven hours walk and tired.

Tuesday I went with the carter 8 miles into the country takingfood for the horses. I went over Westminster Brige up the OldKent Road into the County of Kent then back on the Dover rodehome again. In the evening I went to a party and dancing whereKeziah lives when she is in London. Wednesday I was round theParliamnet buildings and the House of Comons and Saint Paul'sKetherdrale then I went inside looking at the monuments and thearchitect, In the afternoon I took a stroll in Hide Park.February 10 I was in Brixton Market - tonight I saw newpotatoes, 1 ? basket and ? and flowers is getting plentiful atnight to entertain. Saturday I went with the carter 6 miles inthe country to Walsworth Comon Miss Nightingale that was nursein the Crimea war the money that was beged for her she has builta large school in Walsworth Comon with twenty acres of land. Iwas past it in the afternoon and went Westminster Brige down tothe London Brige then I went along the warehouses as far as Icould so I begin to think of coming home.

Thursday I was at the Portrait Gallery in the afternoon at theLogicle gardens I saw the lions, tigers, leperds, kangaroos,beavers helifants, gaffers sea lions, lamphses ? ? that nearlykill them - he has too horns on his nose he is a powerful beastand the young one the only one that was reared and the one thatdied and is stuffed. Large places full of parrots and otherplaces full of owls and other birds and other places full ofserpents and snakes of all descriptions and other places full ofbirds of all descriptions and another of monkeys. Then I wentto that keelen where that brige was blown up with that ? Istood on the bank where it happened the gate house is just as ithappened but part of the rubbish is cleared away to set thecosts ? and pass by the trees while nearby and go back to themetropolis. I went to to the London docks then I went roundLondon tower where the kings and queens was beheaded then I wentto Aldgait market and the Haymarket then to Blackfriers Brigethen home as it rained - at night to entertainment. Sunday Iattended the chapel in the afternoon I went to the cimitery withmy brother where his wife was buried.

Monday 15 February I went to London. I took a humble bus andwent to Charing Cross then I travelled about London all day. Iwent over London Brige but I did not see anyone I knew tho therewere hundreds passing over in the time I was passing over andback. Then I went to the bank and the general post office andother places of interest while I was tired then I went to theMansion House station underground railroad to victory station.Tuesday I did not go far, only to an entertainment. I had topack my things up and get ready to start home in the morning 17February 1875 for Rothesay, Maryboro, Wellington County,Ontario, Canada. G Duckering

Journey back to Canada

Left Liverpool on February 18 at eleven o'clock - very fine day got to the Irish Channel last ancer four o'clock in the morning,19 stayed till five o'clock. Started with fair wind. Saturday very fine day noon made 212 miles met the home bound steamer Potinishon. Monday very fine 300 miles. Tuesday South wind very fine, sea little rough 305, strong breeze in the afternoon. Wednesday north wind blowing very strong 209. Monday fair windTuesday north wind. Very rough washing over the decks, took oneof the boats away and broke another, and broke the railing andwashed the boathouse top off below too days and too nights -282 miles. Wednesday north east wind, Thursday fine day 305afternoon met floating ice, went 6o miles south to get clear ofit, 215 miles. Friday misty sea rough afternoon fog cleared away hed wind rough washed over the decks all night and day, 217miles. Saturday fair wind till midnight. Sunday worse thensnowing and freezing the ropes covered with ice sea washing overthe decks - river on decks today, 248 miles, all covered withsnow and ice. Monday 1 March hed wind fine day sone shining,205 miles, afternoon snowing very fast got within 20 miles,stayed till morning, got to Portland nine o'clock Tuesdaymorning. Left at half past one o'clock 2 March. Travelled onto Richmond Junction delayed with a broken axle, tree on a goodstrain 5 miles ahed between 3 and 7 o'clock. Proceeded ? on ourway till we came in sight of Upton station then the tire on the baggage car broke they had to change it to get it to the station and unload it - delayed 2 hours. Arrived in Montreal at 2 o'clock on Wednesday, left at half past nine at night forToronto, arrived at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Stayed inToronto on Friday. Left on Saturday and arrived home on Saturday night, the 7 of March 1875.

End of Journal, the rest of the book consists of a number of addresses:

Thomas Duckering A Duckering William Hays
Lannaways farm East Barkwith Ingham
? Hill Wragby Near Lincoln
Horsham Lincolnshire Lincolnshire
Sussex England

Mr R Hill William Vickes (?) William Hunt
Adwick-le-Street Nettleham Sharlet Willson
Near Doncaster Near Lincoln Tillbrigs
Yorkshire Lincolnshire John Turner
England England Eaves Hill
Werrington
Euston Square Station London England Devonshire
Car hire 2 shilling 31/2 miles

Remaining address on this page not easy to read.

Mr William Slater Mr C Duckering Mr J Duckering
Kirk Lane Nr Wimbush's yard Mr Pinningtons Esq ?
Yeadon, nr Leeds Halkin St Fern Acres
Yorkshire Belgrave Sqr Nr Gerrards Cross
England London, England Buckinghamshire

Details of something to cure Rhumatick - take one teaspoonfultwice a day
1 oz spirit wine- 1 oz spirits turpentine - 1 oz sweet nitre - 1oz oil juniper

Mr William Howmes Mr Richard Duckering Allen Brothers and
14 Consepcion ? Northorpe Company
Maryborough Near Kirton-in-Linsey Alexandra Culdins
Drayton Lincolnshire James at
Ontario England 19 James St
Canada Liverpool


,

The marriage certificate for George DUCKERING and Eliza BRIGGSrecords that they married on the 28th November 1839 in theParish of Upton, Lincolnshire. George of full age, bachelor,labourer, living in Upton and son of Richard, also a labourer.Eliza, of full age, spinster, servant, living in Upton, daughterof Joseph, a labourer. See copy of certificate on file.