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The Journey of the 'Norman Morison' from England to Canada
1851
England to West Coast Canada

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Leaving England, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean, around the treacherous tip of the horn of South America, then taking across sometimes to the Sandwich Islands now present day Hawaii, then back to the North American coast.
Their first stop was in San Francisco the largest city on the western coast at that time. Here they took on fresh provisions and journeyed further northward to the next largest city established on the west coast at Fort Victoria. These brave courageous families were blacksmiths, farmers, ministers, doctors all the skills needed to establish a growing thriving colony on the west coast.
Governor James Douglas ran the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Victoria and the surrounding farms that supported these early settlers and their families. After five years of work, some chose to stay. The HBC gave some land, but not enough to support their growing families.

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'Norman Morison' a Hudson Bay Company sailing ship
1852
England to West Coast Canada

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In 1852 and 1853, the families that came on the HBC sailing ship the "Norman Morison" had to be healthy and strong, as they faced a six-month journey at sea.

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Map of where Saanich Pioneer Museum is situated
17 March 2006
Saanich Peninsula, British Columbia, Canada

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Meaning of word Saanich

"Saanich" is a name given to the local Indian people who have lived on the Saanich Peninsula for many years. It has many meanings some say fertile or good soil or "Land of Plenty", or elevated land. All of these do describe this geographical area... Snow only visits for a few days a year, there are. Plenty of berries and roots, the Pacific Ocean is a few minutes away with generous offering of fish. There are many beaches with their delicacies and edible seaweed, and the bush with its ready supply of fresh meat.

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Mount Newton Valley
17 March 2006
Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada

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Mount Newton overlooks this rich fertile valley, all make for an idyllic place to settle and raise a family.
White settlement began in this area with the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) which was a London, England based fur-trading company. In 1842, the HBC saw a need to establish a Fort north of the 49th parallel, as the American - Canadian border was soon to be established. HBC decided it would remain in British territory. The main HBC Fort Vancouver at that time was in Oregon Territory, below the 49th parallel.
Fort Victoria was established 1843 on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. To establish settlements, families would run farms that would make the area self-sufficient. Recruited families who agreed to be in their employ for 5yrs came from Scotland and England by sea.

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Lidgate Farm 1860, Mount Newton Valley
16 February 2006
Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada

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Some families purchased their future farmland from the governing (HBC) for a $1.00 an acre in what was at that time called Saanich, some settled in the Mount Newton Valley. Which was in 1860, a two days ride over very rough terrain through forests with a horse and cart. Heading north from Fort Victoria.

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Sketch of Angus McPhail log home
1860
Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada

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Aeneas or Angus McPhail was the first white man to farm north of the Lake District. On the voters' list of 1859, he appears as Aeneas McPhail, Bay Farm, South Saanich, 177 acres, freehold. It was located near the western end of Mt. Newton. McPhail undoubtedly came from the north part of Scotland, probably from the Orkney Islands, as he could speak the Gaelic language. Before coming to Saanich, he had worked for the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Simpson.
He brought with him two daughters, one of whom was grown up and named Anne. She married Alphonse Verdier, who with his brother, Etienne, had squatted near the McPhail home. He married a native woman soon after and a daughter Mary became Mrs Frank Gravelle. He died at Verdier's and his land became the original homestead of James Hagen McPhail's. Name does not appear on the voters list of 1874 and there is some uncertainty as to the exact time of his death and his activities in his later years. 1855 was the year he squatted in Saanich.

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Patricia Bay near Victoria Airport
17 March 2006
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

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Farming, Newman Rd
17 March 2006
Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada