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.

THORPE, R. re Thomas WILLSON, 1820 Settler

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 115

Durham Cottage

Queen Street

Kings Road

Chelsea

September 9th 1819

Sir,

If I offend I ask pardon as I have no wish to do so. My object is chiefly this; being about to engage with a person of the name of Thos. WILSON of Chelsea Water Works for the Cape of Good Hope I wish further to ascertain wether the said Thos. WILSON has received leave from you to raise the compliment required, what each person of 20 years is to pay, wether Government finds any utentials to till the ground, the quantity of luggage each is allowed to carry. By answering the above you will very much oblige

Your most humble and obedient servant

R. THORPE

NB Please to answer the above as the said Thos. WILSON is an entire stranger, to know wether he is about to defraud me or not as he has informed me that each person must pay the money on Monday next

  • Hits: 5012