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in 1799. But he invested his own fortune unwisely in South Sea Bubbles and lost £30,000.
'After a painful and protracted illnesss, which he bore with great patience and fortitude, his
death was peacful and triumphant'. He died on 12th August 1814, at the age of fifty-four,
leaving a widow and five children to lament his loss''.38

In spite of his early trials and tribulations, Wilson was undoubtedly a good seaman
and successfully brought the Duff and the L.M.S. missionaries to Tahiti. He also conducted
exploration subsequent to landing the missionaries and the Duff Reef off Fiji bears witness to this
work.

''The work that he (Captain Wilson) accomplished in placing the missionaries in their
various station in the South Pacific; in navigating successfully some of the most difficult
uncharted waters in one of the most dangerous archipelagos in the world, and, finally in
bringing his ship and crew safely home after so long a voyage, more than justified the
Missionary Society in London in appointing him to the highly responsible position of
captain of the ship Duff. The whold voyage has a special interest for the historian, for with
it the history of Protestant Missions in the South Pacific began''.39

List of the MISSIONARIES who embarked on board the Duff,
at Blackwell.

NO. NAMES. AGE. OCCUPATION.
1 Rev. James Fleet Cover 34 Ordained Minister
2 - John Eyre 28 Do.
3 - John Jefferson 36 Do.
4 - Thomas Lewis 31 Do. and has attended the hos-
pitals and dispensuries, and
understands printing.
5 Mr. Henry Bicknell 29 1/2 House carpenter, sawyer, and
wheelwright.
6 - Daniel Bowell 22 Shopkeeper
7 - Benj. Broomhall 20 Buckle and harness maker
8 - John Buchanan 31 Taylor
9 - James Cooper 28 Shoemaker
10 - John Cock 23 Carpenter
11 - William Crook 21 Gentleman's servant, and since
tinworker
12 - Samuel Clode 35 Whitesmith and gardener
13 - John A. Gillham 22 Surgeon
14 - Peter Hodges 29 Smith and brazier
15 - William Hodges 29 Carpenter and joiner
16 - John Harris 39 Cooper
17 - Hudden - Butcher]
18 - Samuel Harper 26 Cotton manufacturer
19 - Rowland Hassell 27 Indian weaver
20 - Seth Kelso 48 Weaver
21 - Edward Main 24 Taylor (late of the royal artil-
lery)
22 - Isaac Nobbs 24 Hatter
23 - Henry Nott 22 Bricklayer
24 - Francis Oakes 25 Shoemaker
25 Mr. James Puckey 25 Carpenter
26 - William Puckey 20 Carpenter
27 - William Smith 21 Linen-draper
28 - William Shelly 21 Cabinet-maker
29 - George Veeson 24 Bricklayer
30 - James Wilkinson 27 Carpenter and joiner

WOMEN
31 Mrs. Mary Cover 37 Wife of J. F. Cover
32 - Elizabeth Eyre 64 Wife of John Eyre
33 - Elizabeth Hassell 29 Wife of Rowland Hassell
34 - Sarah Henry 23 Wife of Wm. Henry
35 - Mary Hodges 25 Wife of P. Hodges
36 - Hudden - Wife of - Hudden

CHILDREN
37 James Cover 12 Son of J. F. Cover
38 Thomas Hassall 2 Son of Rowland Hassall
39 Samuel Otoo Hassall 16 weeks Do.

List of the missionaries who embarked on the Duff
in London. Not all these people went to Tahiti. Some
were landed at Tonagbatu in the friendly Islands (now
Tonga) and some were landed in the Marquesas as
the Duff journeyed around the Pacific.

38 Clune, Frank, Bound for Botany Bay, pp. 19-20.
39 Henderson, G.C., The Discoveries of the Fiji Islands, Murray, London, 1933, p.214

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