Skip to main content
GSSA
The 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

pre 1820 Settler Correspondence before emigration

ALL the 1819 correspondence from CO48/41 through CO48/46 has been transcribed whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape. Those written by people who did become settlers, as listed in "The Settler Handbook" by M.D. Nash (Chameleon Press 1987), are labelled 1820 Settler and the names of actual settlers in the text appear in red.

CHILD, Thomas

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 342

12 Middle Row

Broad Street

St.Giles

23 Aug 1819

Sir,

I had the honour of waiting at this office concerning emigration to the Cape of Good Hope. I was desired to write to you Sir and being informed that ten persons were to go together that number of person I have selected together whom I thought would be of great service in such an advantageous offer. Being all of healthy constitutions and well proportioned youths whose names and ages I have inserted underneath as I was desired – and having rather scanty means of supplying our own necessitys at present we do most humbly solicit your interest in granting us permission to emigrate to the Cape. The undermentioned are those Sir who are ready to go at your pleasure if you should think them fit.

Mr. Thos. CHILD aged 21 years

Mr. Jno. TAYLOR aged 21 years

Fred'k MORGAN aged 19 years

Wm. HAWKINS aged 17 years and 9 months

Wm. NICHOLS aged 17 years and 8 months

Rich'd AUSTIN aged 17 years and 6 months

Geo SPEIGHT aged 17 years and 6 months

Jno. BROWN aged 17 years and 2 months

Wm EDWARDS aged 17 years and 4 months

Wm BEE aged 17 years

If the above named Sir meet your approbation we await your pleasure for an answer or should you not think them fit we should be glad of the honour of an answer.

I am with all due submission Sir

Your most obedient and most humble servant

Thos. CHILD

  • Hits: 5255