In 1836 Mary Thomas, aged 49, abandoned her comfortable life and home in London for a tent in the sandhills of Holdfast Bay. This is the story of her struggle to hold her family together through controversies and conflicts, economic difficulties and tragedy; a tale of endurance and ultimately of triumph against the odds.

Includes the Proceedings of the Royal geographical society, formerly pub. separately.

The organization and personnel of the Emigration Board in England from 1840 to 1878, the administration of the Passenger Acts, and an analysis of general emigration during the period.