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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.

DAVIES, John

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 677

No.1 Mead Row

Lambeth

London

7th Aug 1819

Sir,

Hearing that Government were going to send a number of People to the Cape of Good Hope as Mechanics, Labourers &c and some in other situations I wish to know how far this statement is authentic as well as what prospect there may be of obtaining a living.

I apply on behalf of myself and a Matthew NELSON. I have been a Serjeant and Clerk in the Grenadier Guards and have Recommendations from Lord BENTINCK of the Grenadier Regiment and Colonel J. CLITHEROW of the 3rd Guards. I am 27 years of age, my wife is 26 years, and one boy four years old and my trade a Hair Dresser.

NELSON is about 24 [sic] years of age, has a wife and 3 children viz: one [girl] 11 years, a boy 6 years and a girl 2 years and he is by trade a Sawyer.

Should you think proper to accept our services I beg you will have the goodness to inform me what are the terms upon which we are allowed to emigrate. I have the honour to be Sir

Your most obedient servant

John DAVIES

[Transcriber's note: The Settler Handbook has Matthew NELSON's age as 32, which is much more likely given that he had a daughter of 11]

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