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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.

FORD, Edward, 1820 Settler

(see also correspondence of Rev.Henry GODDARD filed under G at CO48/43)

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 236

Deverill Longbridge

Oct 12 1919

Sir,

As four of the families who sent their names in the first list you received from me have refused to go to the Cape of Good Hope with me and having but two others to supply their places whose names are entered on the three last lists; I beg leave to inform you that there is another family that desires to go with me, and it is my desire that they should. Their Names, Age and Description are as follows.

Joseph RALPH 27 Labourer

Elizabeth his wife 28

Joseph RALPH their son 3

Mary RALPH their dtr. 9 months

Joseph RALPH residing in the parish of Deverill Longbridge is an Out Pensioner of the Royal Hospital Greenwich has Ten Pounds per annum his number on Pension List is 925. Please to word as soon as possible whether he will be permitted to go or not and if he is whether it will be necessary to advance any money to Government on his account or not. He does not know what to do about making application to Greenwich for Instructions before he can have a positive answer whether he can go or not, therefore by answering this as soon as possible you will greatly oblige

Your Humble Servant

Ed. FORD

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 251

Longbridge Deverill Wilts.

15 Dec 1819

Sir

As I have been expecting an order to remove ever since the deposit money was sent I beg leave to inform you that both myself and the persons proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope under my direction are labouring under very great disadvantages having sold all that we have to sell and given notice to quit our Houses and given up our Labour we are distressed very much and shall be a great deal mores so if we cannot be remov'd soon as we must quit our houses. Two Companies in this neighbourhood having received Orders to Go to Portsmouth we are dissatisfied thinking that Orders have been sent us that did not come to my hand, therefore we beg that you will send us an answer by return of Post and an Order to Go if possible. I remain your humble servant

Edward FORD

At Address E. Ford Longbridge Deverill near Warminster Wilts.

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 256

Portsmouth

26 of Dec. 1819

Sir,

In consequence of illness James CROFTS one of the persons proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope under my direction is prevented from going and Robert MILES has engaged to go in lieu of him and has come to Portsmouth with his family he is by trade a weaver aged 27 yrs his Wife Ann is 20 yrs and William their son 2 yrs having stated his case to the agent of the Transports I was directed by him to make application to you as soon as possible. I therefore humbly request you to send an order that he may be received and admitted to receive provisions and privileges equal with the rest and I beg leave to inform you that James DICKS' sen. Wife has since we advanced the Deposit been brought to bed with a Son whose name is John which we humbly request you to make provision for and return us our Instructions for guidance as soon as possible In so doing you will greatly oblige

Your humble servant

Edward FORD

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