Why Did So Many Welsh People Emigrate To America In The C18?

Some of the causes for emigration in the C18 are presented in the 'Welsh Land Commission a Digest of its Report 'by D. Lleuter Thomas, 1896

Emigration was mainly from the agricultural areas where there was little chance of alternative employment.
America was a favoured destination.
Welsh Baptists and Quakers, emigrated, and the territory where the latter settled only narrowly escaped being called New Wales instead of Pennsylvania, many of its place- names still remain Welsh.

Emigration was high from Llanbrynmair in Montgomeryshire, Caernarvonshire; leaseholders threw up their leases on the Vaenol estate, to travel west.

By 1841, emigration had once more become popular in the agricultural counties, and from this time down to about 1860 the Commissioners say 'that it was frequently discussed and advocated in the Press and on the platform as the speediest solution of the Welsh land question'.
Non Conformists saw a way to greater religious freedom.

Add Comment

Report