At a meeting in May 1849 the Parish Vestry (Parish Council) agreed to request permission from the treasurer of the Eastry Union, of which Nonington became a part in 1834, to grant money to ‘facilitate the emigration’ to Adelaide, Australia, of some poor parishioners. The parish clerk, Mr. Henry Spanton, on receipt of Colonial and Land Unification Office licences nos. 16141 and 16157 accordingly advanced the sum of £2 each for this purpose to labourers William and George Coombes, aged 28 and 20 respectively. The Union was asked permission to assist others to emigrate and on 5th July 1849 the Vestry meeting resolved to pay such costs from the rates, the next meeting on 19th July 1849 granted the sum of £15 to assist labourers Richard Makey, 28, Henry Morris, 26, and George Kelton, 19, and carpenter Charles Cast, 20, all listed as poor persons and single men, assistance to emigrate to Adelaide. Requests from some married men with families were refused.
