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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.

INGRAM, John, 1820 Settler

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 16

Cork

20 Jul 1819

Sir,

Perceiving by the Publich print'd it's the intention of the Government to encourage persons to go out and settle at the Cape of Good Hope I take the liberty of addressing you on this subject and only to request your perusal of the following case for the truth of which I beg to refer you to the Right Hon'ble Sir Ben. BLOOMFIELD the Lord Bishop of Ferns and Sir Nich. C. COLTHURST Baron M.O. all of whom knowing me and my family these number of years particularly the two first.

I am a young man 35 years of age having a wife and children four sons and a daughter the eldest of them not being 6 years old having been well educated and brought up to general Business And left with good capital. I am now destitute for the means of support for myself and Family caused by upholding by every means in my powers, the Constitution as at present established in Church and State at the election of 1812 having taken a very decisive part in this city to insure the return of Sir Nich. COLTHURST in order to put out Mr. HUTCHENSON the Catholic candidate the Papists who are the great body of the people here universally agreed and indeed were ordered by their Priests not to deal with me. This has at lenth caused my ruin and I fear every exertion I could make in this country would be of no avail, and their hatred of anyone who opposes their views is never to be conquered, even in common conversation they are not commonly civil.

I therefore beg to solicit at your hand such a grant of Land at the Cape as may prove by my industry a competence for my young family and that you will be pleased to grace me such means and on enquiry you may be convinced my case merits perhaps the Government may want an Agent or some appointment that would require a person of confidence in that case I flatter myself they would find few more firmly attached to our good old King and the present administration.

I could give you several other highly respectable references for my character and rely on your generosity and Benevolence

I have the honor to be Sir with the highest respect your Ob' and very humbl

John INGRAM

 

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[To the Right Hon. Nich.VANSITTART]

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 95

8 Cecil St

Strand

London

Monday 30 August 1819

My Lord

I take the liberty of enclosing for your Lordships information a list of Twenty seven names (my own included) who propose to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope under your Lordships instructions for the purpose of forming part of the new settlement. I beg leave to refer you the application made on my behalf by my Friend and relative Right Hon'ble Sir Ben. BLOOMFIELD and inform your Lordship I have endeavoured as much as possible to comply with the General orders as referred by your Lordship for that purpose having come over from Cork for the express purpose of waiting on Sir Benj'n whom I find has left town with the Regent

I therefore beg leave to inform you that I am ready to answer any questions you may think proper to put to me, and to give your Lordship any Information respecting those persons who mean to accompany me and to make the necessary deposit

I have the Honor to be your Lordships Ob' very humble St.

J INGRAM

 

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 96

I the Right Worshipful Richard DIGBY, mayor of the City of Cork, do hereby certify that the several persons whose name and marks are hereunder subscribed personally appeared before me this Day at the Mansion House in the said City and voluntarily declared their wish to go to the new settlement about to be established in South Africa near the Cape of Good Hope and they do so of their own free will and accord having agreed to put themselves under the direction of John INGRAM of said city, merchant and Edward INGRAM Esq for that purpose.

J. INGRAM

E. INGRAM

Patt. PIERCE

William AGNEW

Morgan SWEENEY

John FOSTER

John BARRY

Dan BUCKLY

Roger LEVISSY

Jer'h HANLY

William HANLEY

Gerald BEGLEY

Timothy BEGLEY

David BEGLEY

John GRESNOCK X his mark

John DALEY

Patt GRIFFIN

Corn's CALLAHAN X his mark

Jeremiah SULLIVAN

John SULLIVAN

John HIDE X his mark

Sam BUCKLEY

Philip BLAKE

William BLAKE

Sam HORNIBOOK

John REILY X his mark

John HENNESSY X his mark

All which I certify this 20th day of August 1819

Richard DIGBY, Mayor

I certify that I have seen the within named persons, and consider them in every respect eligible for the new settlement at the Cape of Good Hope being able bodied men

Sam G BA..[indecipherable signature]

Surgeon to the Forces

Cork Aug 20th 1819

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 99

A List of the Persons who have agreed .. [paper fold]

To go out to the Cape of Good Hope with them from ..[paper fold]

[columns with ages of children below obscured in paper folds, as are some of the female names]

Names

Age

Trade

Wives Names

Age

Children

Male

Female

John INGRAM

35

 

Grace

29

Five

Henry

John

George

Jocelyn

[column obscured]

Edward INGRAM

22

 

None

 

 

 

 

Patrick PIERCE

21

Carpenter

Catherine

19

One

 

 

William AGNEW

25

Mason

Honora

22

One

 

 

Morgan SWEENEY

33

Mason

Bridget

30

Two

 

 

John FOSTER

40

Chemist

Mary

34

Four

[obscured]

 

John BARRY

23

Slater/Plasterer

None

 

 

 

 

Dan BUCKLEY

24

Shoemaker

Eliza

20

One

Edgar

 

Roger McSWEENEY

24

Shoemaker

None

 

 

 

 

Jer'h HANLY

23

Gardner

None

       

William HANLY

32

Gardner

None

       

Gerald BEGLEY

40

Farmer

Margret

36

Two

Gerald

Margaret

Timothy BEGLEY

40

Farmer

Catherine

20

Two

Patrick

Catherine

David BEGLEY

22

Farmer

Mary

18

One

 

Mary

John GRESNOCK

34

Labourer

Mary

32

Two

 

Mary/Ann

John DALY

20

Sawyer

None

 

 

 

 

Patrick GRIFFEN

30

Wheelwright

Mary

28

Two

Michael

Mary

Corn's CALLAHAN

23

Labourer

None

 

 

 

 

Jeremiah SULLIVAN

32

Taylor

None

 

 

 

 

John SULLIVAN

25

Carpenter

Charlotte

20

Two

John

Peggy

John HIDE

28

Smith

Maryann

21

Two

John/William

 

Jer'h BUCKLY

24

Farmer

None

 

 

 

 

Philip BLAKE

25

Mason

None

 

 

 

 

William BLAKE

27

Labourer

Nancy

21

Two

William

Nancy

Sam HORNIBRROOK

21

Servant

None

 

 

 

 

John REILLY

28

Labourer

Johanna

27

Three

John/Henry

Mary

John HENNESSY

24

Blacksmith

Eliza

20

One

 

Eliza

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 106

8 Cecil St Strand

Sept 8th 1819

My Lord,

With the utmost respect for your Lordship I take the liberty of thus addressing you, on the subject of my memorial to go out to the Cape of Good Hope. so I flatter myself the recommendation of my respected friends and relatives Sir Ben. BLOOMFIELD and Sir John COLPEY, will be sufficient to enable your Lordship to select me as a proper person to go out. The object of my thus addressing you is to request from your Lordship as speedily as information on that head as possible as it must be obvious to your Lordship that the time is but short for the arrangement of such an undertaking.

having come over from Cork for the purpose of purchasing several articles which I consider necessary for the comfort of myself and People. Twenty seven Families feeling confident your Lordship will see the necessity of going, (favour) me as speedy an answer as you can with convenience, as I have many large property to arrange and that your Lordship will have the kindness to pardon this intrusion I am with the highest respect Your Lordship's Ob.'t and very humble S..

J. INGRAM

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 110

8 Cecil St. Strand

18 Sept 1819

Sirs

I beg leave to acquaint you that being about to leave town, you will be so kind as to address me at 10 Grand Parade Cork whenever it shall be the Pleasure of Lord BATHURST to give one any further information respecting my going out to the Cape of Good Hope. I can not miss the opportunity of returning you my most sincere thanks for your many kind communications on this subject. I have the Honor to be your Ob't. S.

J. INGRAM

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 122

Cork

7 Oct 1819

Sir

I have the Honor of viewing your enclosed form of the 30th Sept and am agreeable to your instructions therein contained filled up the lists and have now the Honor, of including them for your inspection

I shall take it a favour if you will have the kindness to inform me when the vessels will be ready to take the Stores on board; as I should wish to be on the spot myself to ship several articles I bought in London, as also whether the People shall be provided with bedding on Board and any other useful information you may have it in your Powers to communicate

I have the Honor to be your Ob.St

J INGRAM

Return of Settlers proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope under the direction of Mr John INGRAM of Cork in Ireland

Total number of the men 27

“ of the women 13

“ persons above fourteen years of age None

“ children under fourteen years of age 22

“ of the whole party 62

Total amount of the deposit for the whole party [left blank]

Names of the Men

Their Age

Profession or Trade

Names of the Women

Their Age

Male Children

Their Age

Female Children

Their Age

1 John INGRAM

35

Merchant

Grace

29

Henry N
John
George N
Jocelyn
6
5
4
3

Catherine

1

2 Patrick PIERCE

21

Carpenter

Catherine

19

 

 

 

 

3 William AGNEW

25

Mason

Honora

22

 

 

 

 

4 Morgan SWEENY

33

Mason

Bridget

30

   
Bridget
Mary
13
2

5 John FOSTER

40

Chemist

Mary

31

James
George
7
2
Mary-Ann
Harriett
9
2

6 John BARRY

23

Slater/Pasterer

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 Daniel BUCKLEY

24

Shoemaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 Roger McSWEENEY

24

Shoemaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 Jeremiah HANLEY

29

Gardner

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 William HANLEY

32

Gardner

           

11 Gerald BEGLEY

42

Farmer

Margret

36

Gerald
Terence
John
12
10
8

 

 

12 Joseph BEGLEY

44

Farmer

Mary

40

Joseph

13

Ellen

4

13 Timothy BEGLEY

24

Farmer

Catherine

19

 

 

 

 

14 David BEGLEY

22

Farmer

Mary

17

 

 

 

 

15 John GRESNOCK

36

Labourer

Mary

34

 

 

Mary
Ann
12
11

16 John DALY

23

Labourer

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 Patrick GRIFFEN

30

Labourer

Mary

20

Michael

2

Mary

5

18 Cornelius CALLAGHAN

21

Labourer

 

 

 

 

 

 

19 Jeremiah SULLIVAN

20

Taylor

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 John SULLIVAN

25

Carpenter

Charlotte

20

 

 

 

 

21 John HIDE

28

Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 Philip BLAKE

25

Sawyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

23 Timothy HORRIGAN

40

Labourer

Mary

32

John

2

Catherine

12

24 Samuel HORNIBROOKE

21

Servant

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 John HENNESSY

24

Blacksmith

 

 

 

 

 

 

26 Thomas AHERN

24

Labourer

 

 

 

 

 

 

27 Charles DALY

26

Labourer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note Timothy HORRIGAN is the only Military or Naval person about to embark (who is entitled to pension) and is one shilling and sixpence p day pensioner of the 6th Regt and late of Serjeant of the 100th Regt. his place of Residence Cork. And has applied this post to the Secretary of War

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 132

Cork 21 Oct

1819

Sir

You will herewith receive the desired application you require for my Lord BATHURST respecting DRISCOL and have taken the Liberty of inclosing also a Letter I have written to Cap. HARDING, Grahamstown Cape of Good Hope in order that Gentleman (who is a particular friend of mine) may take such steps as may insure our comforts on the arrival of myself and party at the Settlement. And shall feel particularly obliged if you will have the kindness to have it forwarded

I shall be much obliged if you can lett me have the earliest information with respect to Vessels leaving England for this Port that are to take my Party

I hope you will excuse this trouble from, Sir

Your Ob St.

J. INGRAM

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 134

Sir

In reply to your respected favour of the 26th including a letter of John DRISCOL addressed to the Right Hon'ble Lord BATHURSTand requesting an explanation thereon. I shall briefly state the particulars relating to that transaction.

DRISCOL came to me and told me was an out Pensioner of Chelsea which I considered a sufficient recommendation of him as I did not agree with any person whatever unless of the utmost unexceptionable character. A few days after DRISCOL told me he was in very great distress having been robbed of his clothes and money and begged of me to lend him a little money as I had his instructions by me in order to get his pension transferd to be paid at the Cape when I went to London as also he was to order his agent to remit me some pryice [*prize] money which I never rec'd I lent him 20's__(shillings)and in about 10 or 12 Days he meet me in the St and told me he was unable to get work and said actually starving and for God sake to give him as much more money and that I could receive it when his Pension became due in Oct. which I did that I may not be tormented by a fellow creature who stated he was starving and that he had been robbed of the first money I gave him while in London he procured under similar representations from one of my Apprentices 10's____(shillings) more making in the whole 50's_____(shillings) When his pension became due he came to me to accompany him to the Post Office when he rec'd. the order and came home with me to assign it to me which he did in the presence of several Persons, stating that if he could raise some more money on ticket he would Pay me the Balance of 4's + 6 which he has never done and appeared much obliged for the accommodation I had afforded him so much for the cash part of this transaction

Now with respect to what my Lord BATHURST conceives he has a jurisdiction which is not taking the man with me to the Cape I have only to say that when I first saw this man he appeared to me in a good state of health but on my return from London I found him most dreadfully afflicted with the Asthma and Pleurisy for which he was discharged from His Majesties Service and which prevented him being able to work and I informed him he could not go out with me not being an able bodied man as directed by the General orders and I substituted Tim HORRIGAN late Sargent in 100 Reg who addressed the Sec ‘y. of War on the subject agreeable to orders contained in the late circular

I have now to add that in declining to take DRISCOL with me I have every reason to be well pleased as I have found him to be a very improper person living in a Brotheral. I trust my conduct on this occasion will meet my Lord BATHURST's approbation. I return DRISCOL's letter as directed and beg leave to subscribe urgently

Your Ob t & humble St.

J INGRAM

 

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