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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.

BAKER, George, 1820 Settler

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 311

No. 19 Dean Street

Fetter Lane

Aug 3rd 1819

Sir,

A few persons having associated for the purpose of emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope and called a Meeting at the Crown and Anchor, Stand, any information (to lay before the Society) will be esteemed a particular favour. They wishing to know whether Government will supply them with Arms for their Defence & agricultural implements – with the time of embarkation and the number already engaged by A.B. or any other person or persons. Having troubled you with a letter on the 28th ult & being favoured with an answer has induced me again to address you on the subject the favour therefore of the above particulars or if agreeable to wait on you for an explanation any time you choose to appoint will be punctually attended to.

Sir, your obedient servant

Geo. BAKER

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 373/374

Dean Street

Fetter Lane

Aug 12 1819

Ten familey wishing to emigrate having agreed and united into a society to have the purpose of proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope. On perusing the circular we discovered that the whole grant of land after the rate of one hundred acres to the head of each family will be given to the person undertaking to carry out a number of settlers. By which it appears to us that in all and every case the land we undertake to cultivate would be entirely at the disposal of the individual so officiating and by whom it is presumed will be required certain ties & agreement calculated to retard rather than encourage industry. I therefore (for myself and other persons desirous of emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope Colony) do most respectfully solicit your answer to the following questions.

First) In case ten or more famileys unite and appoint an individual to superintend their emigration and deposit the sum of money required by government, which government will put each individual head of a family who is employed on cultivating his allotment of 100 acres granted by them in possession of a separate title to the same so that each may enjoy individually his 100 acres if he may wish to decide.

Second) If answered in the affirmative at what period the money is to be deposited with government.

P.S. Or if any tonnage is allowed and what amount as we have some agricultural implements and weels for machinery for threshing and winnowing & we wish to promote improvements in the same – some being mechanical agriculturalists as well as practical – we have had many persons wishing to join this small society as soon as the 3 questions are answered. With all due respect I beg to remain, Sir your most obedient humble servant,

G. BAKER

If more agreeable for a final explanation I will wait on you? with a deal of pleasure at any time

 

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[the following letters are filed under C for COURTNAY in C048/42]

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 543-546

December 16 1819

My Dear GOULBURN,

Pray do what can be done for the Bearer, who is the son of a man going to the Cape & who wishes to accompany him. I do not know what the difficulties are but I presume he can explain what he wants.

Yours truly

W. COURTENAY

[filed with the following letter from George BAKER]

Honoured Sir,

As my stay in England is but short, for expecting Mr. PARKER's party of settlers for the Cape of Good Hope with whome I paid my Deposit will sail in a few Days whereby I find by a letter from one of Mr. PARKER's Agents that mention is Made of not taking my son the Bearrer of this after arrangements is made and his name at the time entered in the list, since wich it has been cross'd out on acc't of his not arriving by coach as [obscured by seal] as expected therefore I humbly hope your honor will be so good as wright or otherwaise communicate to Earl BATHURST to grant the Bearrer his passage as it otherwaise will be a great disappointment if he cannot goe with his parrents, I haveing sent for him from Newcastle in a journey wich has prevented him from obtaining some money now due to him there more perticulars he may inform your honour – therefore humbly trusting you'l take his case in consideration

I am with all due respect

Yr most obt svt

G. BAKER

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