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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.

CHAPMAN, R

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 239

Bagnigge House

Bagnigge Wells

August 23 1819

My Lord,

With your Lordship's permission it is my wish, with a large family, to embrace the offer held out at your Lordship's office to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope.

As I am unacquainted with the necessary qualifications I beg the indulgence of your Lordship to the following observations. I have served as First Lieut. in [obscured] Regiment of Cavalry, have farm'd very largely in the counties of Somerset and Surry. Am an attorney on the Rolls and can command a sum more than sufficient to locate 10 persons.

Your Lordship will confer a favour by informing me at your Lordship's early convenience how much land will be granted and if my humble abilities can be applied officially in the Colony.

For Respectability and Character I beg leave to refer your Lordship to Mr. DICKINSON Esq, MP for the County of Somerset.

I have the honour to be my Lord your Lordship's most obed't sevt

R. CHAPMAN

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