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.

GOWAR, John

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 362

Gorey

County Wexford

August 14th 1819

My Lord,

I take the liberty of addressing you on my intention of emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope. I beg leave to state that I have been in His Majesty's Service above twenty years and am now on the Half Pay of the 22nd Regiment of Foot, but unwilling to remain an inactive member of society I purpose taking out a number of settlers and from the many applications that have been made to me I have not the least doubt I could take out 50 families or more, many of the men are well versed in the use of firearms having been in the service with me.

I beg to know if there is any further encouragement from the Government to their Officers than to private persons, at what time and at what port in this Kingdom we shall embark. Any further communication from your office will be most thankfully received by

Your Lordship's most obedient servant

John GOWAR

Lieut HP 22nd Foot

  • Hits: 6036