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.

DRISCOLL, John re John INGRAM, 1820 Settler

(filed under I in CO48/44 with John INGRAM correspondence)

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 130

Cork

24th October 1819

My Lord,

Having lately underwent an Examination before the Board I was rated an out pensioner of Chelsea Hospital at 6d per day which being inadequate to my support I applied to Mr. John INGRAM of this city to go with him to the Cape of Good Hope and being very much distressed I requested him to advance me a little money which he could stop from me by degrees at the Cape & which he id at sundry times to the amount of £2 10 shillings upon the faith of going with him. At the same time he asked to know what security I could give him that I would go with him to which I replied I had none but that I would deposit my Instructions as a Pensioner. Mr. INGRAM soon after went to London and on his return he informed me that you would not allow him to take me as there might be very soon occasion to call for the Services of Pensioners at Home, and he should be at the loss of the money he advanced which he said he considered a Hardship but it could not be helped. These were his exact words. However, Mr. INGRAM accompanied me to the Post Office and drew the money which was the first pension due to me and refused to return it to me or any part thereof, thus leaving me in the greatest distress that it is possible to conceive, my friends being all Dead. I am willing to allow him to stop it by degrees but he would not do this as he said he must be in a short time off for the Cape. Now my Lord as I consider Mr. INGRAM under your Control and Jurisdiction I hope your Lordship will have the goodness and humanity to order him to refund the money which is to me the greatest loss & to him of very little consequence particularly when I assure your Lordship that it was on the faith of going to the Cape he advanced it and not on the Instructions which he knew could not be taken as a pledge by him, or given by me for any such purpose & which the said Instructions clearly set forth. If your Lordship will have the goodness & condescension to send me a reply you will confer a very great obligation on me.

My Lord, your Lordship's most obed't & very humble servant

John DRISCOLL

Out Pensioner of Chelsea Hospital from the 85th Regiment of Foot

Address: John DRISCOLL, pensioner, Collectors Lane, near the Grand Parade, Cork

Mr.INGRAM's address: Mr. John INGRAM, Grand Parade, Cork

  • Hits: 5791