In February 1849, Governor Rennie received instructions that a group of Pensioners should be established in Stanley.  By October a detachment of Marines, thirty army pensioners, their wives and families arrived.  Their average age was 42 years, but the move from barracks to the life of a pioneer settler was too much for some. 

Cottages and land were provided for them (and still stand today on Pioneer Row), with five of the original pensioner families choosing to stay in the Islands.