A True Picture of Emigration

A True Picture of Emigration, Rebecca Burlend and John Burlend, University of Nebraska Press, 1987

In 1830s England, the Burlend family, residents of Yorkshire, decide to emigrate to America. They are lured by tales of milk and honey in a place called Illinois. There is much trepidation, and many second thoughts, but Mr. and Mrs. Burlend, along with 5 small children, board a ship bound for New Orleans. Once they reach the Atlantic, a major storm almost capsizes their ship. After surviving the storm, in steerage, the boredom sets in. They reach New Orleans on a Sunday two months later. Being good church-going Methodists, they are shocked to find New Orleans open for business on the Sabbath. Boarding another ship, they head north.

The Burlend family reach their new home, a two-room log cabin near what is now Detroit, in November, just in time for winter. With little more than the clothes on their backs, they barely survive. In spring, they set about clearing land for plowing and tapping the maple trees on their land for maple syrup. Despite many trials and tribulations, they manage to make a go of it. One day, walking back from a neighbor's house, carrying his sickle, Mr. Burlend trips and gashes his knee on the blade. His condition quickly got worse; his survival was not assured. It was time to harvest the wheat; without that crop, the family was in severe trouble. Mrs. Burlend and her 9-year-old son were forced to bring in 4 acres of wheat by themselves, while Mr. Burlend eventually recovered.

The author also talks about the climate in Illinois (much drier than England), the native plants and animals, snakes and despised mosquitoes. They avoid buying on credit as much as possible. They get a taste of the 19th century equivalent of extortion. They also discover that the laws having to do with buying and selling of land are less than clear-cut; plus the county seat (where the records are kept) is always a long way away.

Written for other English families thinking of emigrating to America, this is intended as a straightforward look at what America is really like. The author does not overemphasize or sugarcoat anything. This book is said to be one of the finest chronicles ever written of life in early 19th century America, written by someone who was there. It is very much worth reading.