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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.

SIDMOUTH, Lord and George LEGH KECK re Henry GIRD

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 1070

Richmond Park

November 7th 1819

Dear Ld BATHURST,

Excuse me for troubling you with the enclosed letter. The writer was one of the Members for Leicestershire in the last Parliament & a steady friend. He would I am sure be much gratified if you would serve the person he has recommended,

Yours very sincerely

SIDMOUTH

[enclosed]

Stoughton Grange

October 16th 1819

My Lord,

Allow me to request your Lordship's protection of a very deserving young man who is desirous of going out to the Cape of Good Hope as a settler in a medical capacity. He can produce unexceptionable testimonials of his moral character & professional qualifications. Having served his apprenticeship to a surgeon & afterwards attended the [obscured] course of anatomical lectures

His age is 19, his name Henry GIRD, being one of a very large family where circumstance precludes his father from affording such further aid as might establish him professionally at home. I know that your Lordship will not be the less interested in this young man when I assure you that his father is a yeoman in my Corps and ever ready in these strange times to maintain the cause of Church & State. In the earnest hope that the young man may be honoured by your Lordship's patronage allow me to add I consider he would be found not undeserving of it.

Believe me, my Lord

Your humble servant

G. LEGH KECK

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