When the British frigates Briton and Tagus arrived at Pitcairn on the morning of 17 September 1814, Thursday and George Young paddled out in canoes to meet them.

Both spoke English well, and made a good impression on the officers and men of the ships as they met on the deck of the Briton.

Their demeanour helped persuade the two captains that John Adams had created a civilized society, and did not merit prosecution for the mutiny.

Captain Philip Pipon, commander of the Tagus, describes Thursday as being "about twenty five years of age, a tall fine young man about six feet high, with dark black hair, and a countenance extremely open and interesting.

Deprived of leadership, the group left Tahiti on 14 August 1831 to return to Pitcairn facilitated by Captain William Driver.