Peter Hastie's story – Scots Abroad: Stories of Scottish Emigration

Peter Hastie's story

Peter Hastie (around 1805-?)

Emigrated from Edinburgh to the State of New York and New York City, USA around 1832.

From shopkeeper to engineer

Peter Hastie was probably born around 1805 in the Lowlands of Scotland.

In 1827, dissatisfied with his life as a shopkeeper in Edinburgh, Peter decided to emigrate to America and learn a new trade.

In the summer of 1832 he was in New York City, luckily surviving the cholera that was raging.

The Chenango and Erie canals

With the help of his friend and mentor Mr Archibald, another Scottish emigrant, he found work as an assistant engineer in the construction of the Chenango Canal. This earned him one and a half dollars a day. He also participated in the construction of the Erie Canal.

Croton Aqueduct

In 1837 he was promoted to resident engineer in the Croton Aqueduct, part of New York City waterworks, with an annual salary of $1,500 which was increased to $1,800 in 1838.

In the last surviving letter sent home in 1841, Peter Hastie considered himself a successful and happy man.


Coloured illustration of city street Coloured illustration of park and lake Title page Illustration of river and viaduct Map of park and nearby strets Printed pages mianly relating to gas and water works Printed map with accompanying text Title page of report title page of journal Map witl illustrations

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