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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.

SMITH, James (WILKINSON's Party), 1820 Settler

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 763

No 7 Grove Street

Mile End Road

July 26th 1819

Sir

In consequence of the official communication made by Government respecting the emigration to the Cape, I beg leave to intimate that (with permission) I mean to avail myself thereof & request you will have the goodness to register my name if required, & in the mean time you would particularly oblige by informing me where the vessel is expected to sail from hence, what room or tonnage in the Ship each family will be allowed for the purpose of taking out tools, implements for husbandry or any thing else required & if there are frequent or any communications from the Colony of Cape Town.

I am a ship carpenter by trade & have superintended the building of several ships of war in this time. I have a wife and three children I intend to take with me.

The favor of an early reply will oblige

Sir, your obdt hble servt

James SMITH

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 810

No 7 Grove Street

Mile End Road

4th Aug 1819

Sir

In consequence of your Circular of the 27th July and referring to the Official letter therein mentioned I now beg leave to propose to take out to the Colony at the Cape of Good Hope ten able men agreeable to the conditions contained in the said letter. At the same time it would be particularly obliging would you inform me the exact situation of the Colony & whether on a navigable river, what room or tonnage will be allowed in the vessel for implements of husbandry & when the deposit is required.

Your answer will oblige

Sir, your very obd't serv't

James SMITH

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 929

No 7 Grove Street

Mile End Road

8th Sept 1819

Sir

I hereby send you a annexed statement of the number, names & age of all the persons I propose to take out with me to the Cape of Good Hope agreeable to your letter of 28 of August and I do hereby agree to conform to all the conditions upon which His Majesty's Government have offered to grant land in the said Colony.

Your further communication will oblige

Sir, your obd't serv't

James SMITH

Name and Description of the Person taking out the Settlers:

James SMITH, Shipwright, age 36, Mary Ann SMITH my wife, age 26, Sarah Fish SMITH my daughter, 7, James SMITH, 3, Sophia SMITH, 2 years of age.

Names of the Settlers

Profession or Trade

Age

Names of the Women

Age

Male Children

Age

Female Children

Age

John ASTHORP

Carpenter

30

Anna

27

Thomas

10

   

Joseph ALFORD

Shoemaker

28

Charlotte

25

Henry

11

   
         

Joseph

2

   

John ALFORD

Gardener

23

           

William HAYWOOD

Baker

27

Sarah

23

William

5

Sarah

3

James GIBSON

Husbandman

25

           

Robert GIBSON

Husbandman

19

           

Timothy ROGERS

Bricklayer

31

Mary

28

James

10

Jane

7

Richard WHITE

Rope maker

38

   

Robert

13

Ann

11

Thomas HORNER

Husbandman

22

           

Thomas ADAMS

Gardener

34

           

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 967

No 7 Grove Street

Mile End Road

30 Sept 1819

Sir

I wrote you the 8th inst and am as yet without any reply, as I am particularly anxious to be informed whether my proposals are accepted and when the vessels will proceed, will feel obliged by your early reply for my goverment and remain with due respect

Sir

Your most Obedient Servant

James SMITH

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