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

Additonal Information

This is pre 1820 information mainly taken from actual images of UK parish registers and other primary sources which I have personally researched. Further information about the settlers and their families once they reached the Cape can be found at https://www.1820settlers.com/

Sue Mackay

ALLISON, James - Extra Data

Written by Sue Mackay on .

 

(member of PARKER's Party)

 

James ALLISON's wife is listed as Ann, but it is clear that her name was actually Agnes, although by 1819 she was calling herself Ann. The Settler Handbook lists a daughter Sarah (15) and a daughter Anne (1), whereas the returns at Kew for PARKER's Party list Ann (15) and Sarah (1). The baptism of Sarah in Bury St.Edmunds (from where James ALLISON wrote some correspondence in 1819) indicate that Sarah was indeed the youngest.

PARKER's return states that James ALLISON was a pensioner of the 23rd Regiment of Light Dragoons, with the rank of Sergeant Major.

 

National Archives, Kew, London

 

WO97 1174-006
By Colonel William SPENCER, Commanding His Majesty's 23rd Regiment of Light Dragoons, whereof Colonel William FULLARTON is Colonel, these are to certify that the Bearer
Serjeant Major James ALLISON
has served in the above Regiment for the space of Eight Years Eight Months, during which time he has behaved himself Soberly and Honestly; and he is hereby discharged.
....
He is about 26 Years of Age, 5 Feet 7¾ Inches High, Brown Hair, Grey Eyes, Fair Complexion, Well Made, By Trade a Turner, Born in the Parish of Erskine in the County of Renfrew and Country of Scotland.
Given under my Hand and Seal of the Regiment at Belfast the 27th day of November 1802.
....
I James ALLISON do certify that I have received my Pay, Arrears of Pay, Clothing of All Sorts, and other just and due Demands whatever, from the day of inlisting into the aforesaid Regiment until the Day of my Discharge, and 28 days full pay to carry me Home.
As witness my hand this 27th day of November 1802
James ALLISON [signed]

 

New Register House, Edinburgh

 

Old Parish Register for Erskine, Renfrewshire, 1776
William ALLISON and Katharine STEUART had a lawful son born April 3rd and baptised 7th called James.

 

Old Parish Register for Houston and Killellan, Renfrewshire, 1773
July 10 William ALLISON in the Parish of Erskine and Katherine STEWART in this parish gave up their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage and were married upon the twenty second day of the said month of July

 

Old Parish Registers for Ayr, Ayrshire

Ayr 20th Feb'ry 1796, quo die James ALLISON soldier in 23rd Regt Light Dragoons and Agnes MAXWELL in this place gave in their names to be proclaimed in order for marriage and after proclamation were married accordingly.

 

William ALLISON son law. of James ALLISON soldier in the 23rd Regiment of Light Dragoons and Agnes MAXWELL his spouse was born 29th Jan'ry 1797 Bapt. 31st by Dr. Dalrymple.

 

James ALLISON (born ca 1802) Junior may well have been born in Ireland, as his father's discharge papers were signed in Belfast.

 

Borthwick Institute for Archives (University of York) - possible baptism

 

Ann daughter of James ALLISON baptised 11 June 1804 in Settrington, Yorkshire

 

National Archives, Kew, London

 

RG4/685 Registers of Annetwell Independent, Carlisle, Cumberland

Sergt. James ALLISON and Agnes his wife had a son named John born March 15th, bapt. June 14th 1807

Margaret daughter of James and Agnes ALLISON, Scotch Street, St.Cuthbert's, born March 22 1809, bapt Feb 21 1812
Mary Ann daughter of James and Agnes ALLISON, Scotch Street, St.Cuthbert's, born October 5 1811, bapt Feb 21 1812

 

Family Search

 

Joseph son of James ALLISON and Agnes MAXWELL baptised 20 October 1816 in Burwell, Cambridgeshire (born 20 October 1816)

 

Suffolk Baptism Index

 

Sarah daughter of James ALLISON, toymaker and Ann ALLISON, late MAXWELL, was baptised 26 November 1819 in Bury St. Edmunds St.James, born 10 October 1819

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