Hewitt's History Files

IT seems almost unthinkable now but between 1832 and 1837, the Rev Thomas Sockett of Pulborough encouraged nearly 2,000 people to leave Sussex.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Feb 2008, 15:28 BST

Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:16 BST

He believed he was acting for the best- and so did they. There was no coercion, simply an underlining of the economic benefits of starting a new life in Canada.

If Sockett ever had a moment's doubt, there is no record of it says historian Sheila Haines.

He believed he was acting in their interests, in the interests of Petworth and in the interests of Canada and he did all he could to ensure that the Petworth emigrations were conducted with all due humility.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette March 5