Skip to main content
GSSA
The 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Settler Returns

These are the final settler returns for each party, transcribed from CO48/47 at the National Archives, Kew, London. They formed the basis of "The Settler Handbook" by M.D. Nash, although there are some differences, as she used returns held at the Cape as well. Earlier versions of the returns can often be found amongst the 1819 settler correspondence. With the exception of capital letters for surnames, the tables are true transcriptions of the file in the National Archives, although occasionally comments have been added below in square brackets. The returns held in the Cape Archives can be found in CO6138 Volumes 1 and 2. 

There are no returns in CO47/48 for Charles CAMPBELL, Richard DANIELL, Christopher THORNHILL or William WAIT, all of whom sailed later (see post 1820 correspondence), or for the ill-fated RUSSELL's Party who sailed on the Abeona. There is also no return for WILKINSON's Party, who sailed in the privately chartered Amphitrite, but the names are listed in the returns for NIGHTINGALE's Party transcribed from CO6138/2/104 at the Cape Archives. The return for STANLEY's Party can be found in his correspondence dated 4th January 1820, although an earlier return from the Cape Archives (CO6138) is transcribed here.

BIGGAR's Party

No.14

RETURN of SETTLERS proceeding to the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE under the Direction of Mr. Alexander BIGGAR

Total Number of the Men 13
Total Number of the Women 15
Total Number of Persons above Fourteen Years of Age 3
Total Number of Children under Fourteen Years of Age 24
Total Number of the Whole Party 55
Total Amount of Deposit Money for the Whole Party £195

 

Names of the Men
Their
Age
Profession or Trade Names of the Women
Their
Age 
Names of the
Male Children
Their
Age
Names of the
Female Children
Their
Age
Deposit Money
payable by the
respective settlers
Alexander BIGGAR 39 Farmer Mary 39 Robert 7 Margaret 19  
              Ann 18  
              Mary 16  
              Jean 14  
              Georgiana 12  
              Agnes 10  
              Charlotte 8  
              Alexina 3  
              Helen 1 50
Richard KNOWLES 32 Mason Mary 40     Sarah 14 15
George POLLARD 36 Farmer Ann 35 Thomas 6 Maryann 7  
          George 1 Jane 3 15
Henry PEDLAR 30 do Elizabeth 35 Henry 5 Maryann 7  
              Elizabeth 2 12:10
Thomas BINGLE 39 Gardener Sophia 27 Thomas 10 Elizabeth 19  
              Eleanor 8 20
George FAIRCLOTH 33 Labourer Mary  32 James 9 Elizabeth 4 10
James ELLICOTT 27 do             10
Robert GODFREY 27 Wheelwright Martha 28 Henry 5 Martha 1 10
Thomas PAGE 25 Labourer Ann 33         10
James McDONALD 31 Blacksmith Mary 23 Alexander 1     10
Robert COLE 22 Labourer Jane 21     Robert an infant [sic]   10
George EPSEY 29 Millwright Mary 25         10
George SANDERSON 31 Butcher Ann 28     Ann 9  
              Margaret 7  
              Caroline 5 12:10
                  £195

 [An earlier version of this return appears on the following page. The alterations coincide with those requested in Alexander BIGGAR's correspondence. The numbers don't quite add up, which is presumably why a fair copy was made.]

No.14

RETURN of SETTLERS proceeding to the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE under the Direction of Mr. Alexander BIGGAR of 27 St.Mary Axe, London

Total Number of the Men 12
Total Number of the Women 14
Total Number of Persons above Fourteen Years of Age 3
Total Number of Children under Fourteen Years of Age 21
Total Number of the Whole Party 50
Total Amount of Deposit Money for the Whole Party £195

  

Names of the Men
Their
Age
Profession or Trade Names of the Women
Their
Age 
Names of the
Male Children
Their
Age
Names of the
Female Children
Their
Age
Deposit Money
payable by the
respective settlers
Alexander BIGGAR 39 Farmer Mary 39 Robert 7 Margaret 19  
              Ann 18  
              Mary 16  
              Jean 14  
              Georgiana 12  
              Agnes 10  
              Charlotte 8  
              Alexina 3  
              Helen 1  
      Betsy, a servant 13        
57:10
47:10
Richard KNOWLES 32 Mason Mary 40     Sarah 14 15
George POLLARD 36 Farmer Ann 35 Thomas 6 Maryann 7  
          George 1 Jane 3 15
Henry PEDLAR 30 do Elizabeth 35 Henry 5 Maryann 7  
              Elizabeth 2 12:10
Thomas BINGLE 39 Gardener Sophia 27 Thomas 10 Elizabeth 19  
              Eleanor 8 20
George FAIRCLOTH 33 Labourer Mary  32 James 9 Elizabeth 4 10
James ELLICOTT 27 do             10
Robert GODFREY 27 Wheelwright Martha 28 Henry 5 Martha 1 10
Thomas PAGE 25 Labourer Ann 33         10
James McDONALD 31 Blacksmith Mary 23 Alexander 1     10
John KING
Robert COLE
25
22
Labourer
Labourer
Jane 21     Robert an infant [sic]   10
Thos. KING
Will'm BENNETT
23
25
Labourer
Labourer
Ann 21         10
Wm. SMITH
George EPSEY
16
29
Labourer
Millwright
Mary 25         10
Thomas BIRDSEYE
George SANDERSON
33
31
Labourer
Butcher
Ann 28     Ann 9 10
              Margaret 7  
              Caroline 5
12:10
                  £195

 

  • Hits: 6805

Settler Returns listing