Skip to main content
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.

DEARMAN, Joseph, 1820 Settler

Written by Sue Mackay on .

29th December 1819

Sir,

I beg to take the liberty of representing to you that in October I entered into an engagement with Mr. WILLSON of Chelsea to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, and paid a deposit of £20, besides expending the whole of my money in the purchasing of implements to take out with me.

In November I understood that Mr. WILLSON would leave England but in the beginning of that month an unexpected and unavoidable occurrence was likely to prevent my being enabled to fulfill my engagement, or at all events hinder my joining Mr. WILLSON's party until the early part of December. This circumstance I made known to Mr. WILLSON and in consequence my name was erased from the list of those who were to form his party.

On the 2nd instant the difficulty which had prevented the fulfilling my engagement being removed, I communicated the fact to Mr. WILLSON, and informed him I was prepared to go with him and hoped he would reinstate my name in his list, when he informed me it could not be accomplished unless I could point out a vacancy and obtain your permission to go.

I beg leave to acquaint you that I hear a vacancy has occurred by Mr. ROE and his family being unable to accompany Mr. WILLSON and humbly hope you will be pleased to give directions for my name being inserted in Mr. ROE's stead and that myself and family may have permission to proceed with Mr. WILLSON and his party to the Cape.

I also beg to observe that I have exhausted the whole of my property in fitting out myself and family, consisting of a wife and 4 children, for the emigration and that if I am prevented from proceeding to the Cape my future prospects will be ruined and my family rendered destitute of support. I therefore throw myself on your mercy and trust my case will be thought deserving your favourable consideration, and that I shall be honored with an early answer addressed to me at P. SHAW's Boot Maker, Back Lane, Deptford.

I have the honor to be Sir

Your most obedient and very humble servant

Joseph DEARMAN

PS I can have no possible objection in taking out Joseph DEARMAN and his family in lieu of Robert ROE in case such a vacancy takes place, as [long as] it receives the concurrence of the Secretary of State.

Thos. WILLSON

[written across corner by official: that if a vacancy occurs and Mr.WILSON recommends his being replaced on his list Lord B has no objection]

[Transcriber's note: Nash states in The Settler Handbook that no reference has been traced in colonial records of Joseph DEARMAN and it is not certain whether he reached the Cape]

 

  • Hits: 5204