Notes and credits: Most of the information appearing here comes, with permission, from the book �The Valiant Connection�, published 1993 by the York History Committee. It is an extensive History of the people and village of Little York and surrounding areas, researched by the members of the York History Committee, under the guidance on Nelda Murray, its editor. I am not certain if copies still are available, but you could try writing:

York History Committee,
P.O. Box 44,
Little York, P.E.I.
Canada, C0A 1P0.

The price is $35.00 for soft cover, and $45.00 for hard cover, postage and handling paid. If outside Canada, please pay in U.S. funds to cover additional shipping and handling costs.

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It has been reported that there were 196 passengers aboard the vessel, but the following are those who are known.

The listings in the book are reconstructed through two reports, the first of which appeared in the Charlottetown Guardian, January 4^th, 1898. It was a report of an interview by J. E. Matthews, with the Rev. Matthew Smith, who, at 4 years of age had come to Crapaud with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chistopher Smith aboard the Valiant.

The second report was from the Guardian, March 3^rd, 1898. This was an interview with Mrs. William Court, of Black River, Lot 25, P.E.I. Her maiden name was Jane Bell, and she was the daughter of Vincent Bell.

This first group of passengers are from the interview with Mrs. Court...

The second group of passengers are from the interview with Mr. Smith...

Mr. Smith�s report goes on to say that about the middle of the voyage, the Valiant came across a Scotch Brig in a sinking condition, and took on its 60 passengers and crew. Among these people, He lists:

Capt. Ezard died of �Asjama� [Asthma?] on the second voyage of the �Valiant� in 1818, and was buried in Charlottetown at the Elm Ave. Cemetery on June 7^th, 1818.

Reference: P.E.I.Gazette, Monday June 15, 1818 Vol. 1 #34 Died on the 7th inst. Just as he had made Port of Charlotte Town Captain Ezard of the ship Valiant. His remains were deposited in the church yard of this town on Tuesday last

Also from �The Valiant Connection�, is a note from Robert K. Stevens, of New York, a former U. S. diplomat to Rome that says:

"George Hardy, a widower with two children, moved from his home in Lincolnshire, circa 1806, and found work in Hessle, East Yorkshire. He sailed to Prince Edward Island on the ship, �Valiant�, leaving Hull, England in April 1817. The ship was owned by a Yorkshireman from Hessle-upon-Hull, Robert Saunders, who was to become George Hardy�s father in law.

George married Mary Saunders after their arrival on P.E.I. Mary was born in 1789, the daughter of Robert Saunders and Hannah Taylor of Hessle. Mary�s father was owner of the ship on which they immigrated. Family tradition indicates it to have been a shipboard romance with Mary marrying George, a widower with children, a farmer and labourer, and therefore beneath her class, over the strong objections of her family. It was said, however, that Mary received disbursements from her father�s estate after his death.

Mary�s sister, Hannah Saunders, had married George West, and they were among the �Valiant� immigrants.�

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Our thanks to Nelda Murray and the York History Committee for permission to include this article, and to the members of the York History Committee for preserving this gem of Island History.