The Charlotte-Jane was one of the first four ships in 1850 to carry emigrants from England to the new colony of Canterbury in New Zealand. One of her most notable passengers was the architect Benjamin Mountfort. The other three ships were Cressy, Sir George Seymour and Randolph).
The passengers aboard these four ships were referred to as "the Pilgrims". Their names are inscribed on a marble plaque in Cathedral Square in the centre of Christchurch.