SCANLAN, William, 1820 Settler

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 901

Longford

28^th August 1819

My Lord

On reading your Lordships official Circular, relative to an intended colony at the Cape of Good Hope, and finding so flattering a prospect for myself & familly, I most humbly request permission to embrace it. I also beg leave to mention, that I am willing to comply with all the particulars contained therein. But as no Contractor appears to offer in this place I am willing to go out under any Contractor, and do therefore request, I may be so appointed, and hope I may receive due notice accordingly. I herewith send a statement of my family &c &c.

I have the honor to be My Lord

Your Lordships most obedt humble servant

William SCANLON Serjeant

Longford Yeomanry

Ireland

William SCANLON & wife 5 sons from 2 to 17 years old

1 daughter 6 years old

We the undersigned officers of the town of Longford Yeomanry, do Certify, that the above named Serjt William SCANLON has served in said Corps, for the period of twenty two years & upwards, during which servitude he conducted himself as a good soldier, and a very deserving Man.

Sir George FETHERSTONE, Bart, [Capt/Col] 3^rd Company

William [DOYLE/BOYLE] Capt 2 Co

Thomas SLEMMON 1^st Lieut

The before named, William SCANLON is of good character

FORBES M.P.

[Transcriber's note: Thomas FETHERSTONE was MP for Longford from 1801 to 19 July 1819, and was succeeded by George Ralph FETHERSTONE who served as MP from 19 July 1819 to 1830. Viscount FORBES also represented the area.]

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 950

[received 20 Sep 1819]

The persons marked in my letter so + are to be contracted for by Mr W. SCANLAN and should the rest be approved of, on my getting your Lordship's answer I shall have a contractor appointed. Your Lordship will perceive that all so marked are protestants with the [exception] of Edward W. KEON

William SCANLAN

Serjt Longford Yeomanry

[Notation at bottom of page:] Nos 1.3.4

PS to 1

Pensioners of Chelsea and Kilmainham Hospitals will be enabled to receive their allowances in the Colony; but any commutation of their pensions is illegal.

[Transcriber's note: The Kilmainham Hospital in Dublin served the same purpose as the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London, i.e. a home for retired or disabled soldiers]

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 971

Longford

30^th September 1819

My Lord

Enclosed your Lordship has the names and descriptions of the several families that I propose contracting for, in case of my being allowed to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope. Should your Lordship require me to forward a certificate of their being in good health, I shall be able to forward such, signed by the Clergyman of the Parish.

Should your Lordship look on them as proper persons to proceed there, I should feel particularly obliged by your letting me know what further proceedings I am to take respecting the money to be deposited, as soon as possible, as some of them will be under the necessity of disposing of their effects in this country as soon as they hear your Lordship's final answer concerning them.

In conclusion I beg leave to state that I am perfectly willing to conform to such conditions as his Majesty's Government may think proper to dictate, respecting the granting of lands in the aforesaid Colony.

I remain your Lordship's most obedt very humble servt

William SCANLAN

Serjeant, Longford Yeomanry

Name and Description of the Person taking out the Settlers:

William SCANLAN aged forty, a shoemaker Serjeant in the Longford Yeomanry in good health; Hannah his wife aged 34, Mantua maker** and seamstress;

Five sons, 1^st William aged 16, John aged 13, Charles aged 11, Thomas aged 8, George 2

One daughter Hannah aged 6

all in good health

**[Transcriber's note: A mantua was a loose gown worn over a petticoat and open down the front]

*James ARMSTRONG has a sister a widow who keeps house for him, she has also two children and would wish to go with him if allowed to go by depositing ten pounds for all. I describe them after his own name.

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 1032

Longford

October 18^th 1819

My Lord

I beg leave to call your attention to my letter of the 30^th September in which I stated my willingness to contract for the ten families mentioned therein to proceed as Settlers to the Cape of Good Hope. From the state of suspense in which they as well as myself have been, we are put to serious inconvenience, and I should feel grateful if your Lordship would let me have a definitive answer immediately on receipt of this.

I have the honour to remain with great respect your Lordship's most obedt servt

William SCANLAN

Serjeant Longford Yeomanry

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 1052

Longford

29^th Octr 1819

Hon'd Sir

I most humbly beg leave to acquaint you that on the 30^th of last month I transmitted according to your directions & circular a statement of the different persons who I as contractor, had prepared to bring out to the Cape, and who are all now in complete readiness to move but not having been honoured with your reply to my letter as above, I most humbly beg & request your answer forthwith; (as the time is getting short) to know what steps I am to take.

As so many famillys are thus unhinged and hanging in suspence I do most humbly hope for an immediate answer.

I have the honor to be My Lord

Your Lordship's most humble servant

William SCANLAN, Serjt

Longford Infantry