GSSAThe 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Selected Settler Correspondence 1820 - 1837

Whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46 at the National Archives), whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape, here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed. There are many other letters in later files, thought not to be written by eventual settlers. However, if an ancestor is known to have emigrated after the 1820 settlers then it might be worth looking through the rest of the correspondence, which is arranged alphabetically. The relevant files for letters written in 1820 are CO48/52 (A-L) and CO48/53 (M-Y). Later files are labelled "Original Correspondence" followed by the year, and can be found from CO48/56 (1821) to CO48/186 (1837).

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy. The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

LEACH, Richard (brother of Charles LEACH, 1820 Settler), 1820

National Archives, Kew, CO48/52, 532

E.I.Company's Pepper? Warehouse

East India Dock

Jany 31st 1820

Sir,

I have been at the expense of fitting out my brother Charles LEACH as a settler to the Cape of Good Hope. He died at Brixham when the ship was at anchor. He deposited £10 in the hands of Mr. LEIGH 4 Crown Court Broad Street as a kind of guarantee of his intention to go to the Cape and as the money so deposited was given by me to my brother I trust you will please to order Mr. LEIGH to refund it to me as I have reason to believe the captain took another settler with him in my brother's place. I have received a letter from Brixham to send down the funeral expences of my brother which is out of my power unless you compel Mr. LEIGH to pay me the £10.

I am Sir your very humble servant

Richard LEACH

 

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