Pitcairn Island
p. 17 · Read in the full issue
History In
Figures
Despite the bloody murders of Pitcairn's early history, the island's population more than trebled itself in the first 41 years of settlement From 28 in 1790, the population grew to 87 in 1831, in which year it was transferred to Tahiti where 22 of the Pitcairners promptly died of unaccustomed diseases.
On being returned to Pitcairn late in 1831, the remaining 65 multiplied with Victorian prolificness—their numbers reaching 194 by 1856. The whole 194 were then transferred to Norfolk Island. Sixteen of them, stricken with homesickness, returned to Pitcairn in 1858, and 27 more followed in 1863.
The 43 "patriots" more than doubled their numbers by 1879, and by 1914, Pitcairn's population was 140. It continued to increase steadily until the peak figure of 233 was reached in 1937.
Since then, with occasional excep tions, Pitcairn's population has be come smaller each year.
Recent population figures are: 1954 (136); 1955 (143; 1956 (161); 1957 (152); 1958 (136); 1959 (146); 1960 (146); 1961 (126); 1962 (128); July 31, 1963 (108); September 30, 1963 (98).