Leigh Lawson author and historian talks to Richard Vobes, the Bald Explorer about the Petworth Emigrants who left Sussex in the early 19th century and headed oi upper Canada. Leigh explains the reason for their going and the hardships along the way.
This is a supplementary video as part of the Petworth project ‘The Bald Explorer goes to Petworth’. Check out the video on the Episodes page where you can also find out about the House of Correction, the old railway station and the boys school that was bombed during the Second World War.
Leigh Lawson together with Shelia Haines wrote a book on the life and works of Thomas Sockett who was a principle player in the Petworth Emigration story. The book is entitled ‘Poor Cottages and Proud Palaces’ and is available from all good book shops.
For more information about the Petworth Emigrants do check out the website: www.pertworthemigrations.com
Leigh’s also worked on these other books which she was a researcher: Assisting Emigration To Upper Canada by Wendy Cameron and Mary McDougall Maude and English Immigrant Voices edited by Wendy Cameron, Sheila Haines and Mary McDougall Maud.