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.

MATTHEWS, William

Written by Sue Mackay on 04 April 2015.

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 751

Littleton

October 7^th 1819

My Lord,

I am informed that your Lordship is giving encouragement to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope. I have been for several years an officer in His Majesty's service viz. a Lieut in a Corps of Yeomanry, a cornet in His Majesty's 9^th Dragoons and an officer in Sir John CARDEN's Regiment &c

That from disapointments and other family losses &c I am necessitated to apply to your Lordship for information and a passage for me and my family, five sons and four daughters. Should your Lordship think proper to encourage me i would be able to procure a few Protestant familys to go with mine that are both loyal and skilled in the use of arms should this meet with your Lordship's approbation. Your Lordship will please to send me an answer

I remain my Lord

Your Lordship's obed't humble serv't

Wm. MATTHEWS

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