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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.

MAJOR, Patrick

(see also correspondence of Isaac SAUL in CO48/45)

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 504

Rathdrum

Co.Wicklow

July 23rd 1819

Rt.Hon.Sir

I beg leave to state that I am an out Pensioner of the Royal Hospital of Kilmainham from his Majesty's 81st Regt. of Foot, who hearing that your Lordship has granted land with passage out and rations &c to Protestant subjects at the Cape of Good Hope near Cape Town, I would willingly become a settler with my family.

Would also lodge £50 if required in any office your Lordship would be pleased to mention till my arrival. Should my request meet your Lordship's aprobation I would be happy to know what time would answer best for a settler to leave Europe and where to apply for passage.

Rt Hon Sir I am your very obed't serv't

Patrick MAJOR

PS an answer will be thankfully acknowledged addressed to Patrick MAJOR Pens'r, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 614

Rathdrum

August 22nd 1819

Rt.Hon.Sir,

I acknowledge rec't of yours of the 29th ult referring me to the printed circular letter concerning the Cape of G Hope which states the encouragement given by His Majesty's Government for settlers in that colony.

I beg leave to state that I have a wife and six children and that I will advance money as requested in proportion to my s'd family but that I am not able to take out 10 able bodied families.

Therefore should my request met your Lordship's aprobation to grant me leave to become a settler with my family by me lodging in a sum in proportion to my family I shall do it with the greatest thanks.

I have the honor to be Sir

Your obd't humble serv't

Patrick MAJOR

PS I would be happy to know where I should apply for my passage

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 680

Rathdrum, Sept 12th 1819

My Lord,

I beg leave to state that my family consisting of a wife and six children with two young men friend of my own who wish to accompany me and become settlers in His Majesty's settlement Cape of Good Hope. We shall deposit at the time of our embarkation at least eighty pounds to be repaid as pointed out in the circular should it meet your Lordships aprobation to give us the grant of land with a passage out &c.

We shall immediately prepare at the rec't of your Lordships answer an be in readiness to embark on the first of December next.

We are all of the Established Church haveing served his Majesty in the late War. I and one of the young men are Pensioners. We can procure the best Characters if required.

I have the honor to be my Lord

Your Lordships obd't humble serv't

Patrick MAJOR

PS The two young men's names who wishes to become settlers with me is George WORTH and Isaac SAUL. Please to order an answer addressed to Isaac SAUL, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow.

NB We should be glad the encouragement given when in the colony would be stated by return. Also where we should apply for passage. We should also be glad to know if any ten families joining themselves together and advancing as requested in the circular, whether each family or private individual would be allowed his 100 acres to himself. As there are a great many here who would apply only they are in dread the person applying and receiving the grant would hold all and they who would accompany him and even advance their money become slaves to the said person applying.

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 760

Rathdrum, 21st October 1819

My Lord,

I propose to take out to the Cape of Good Hope, complying every way to the proposals in the circular and depositing said sum. Also conforming every way to any regulations which his Majesty's Government may wish to apply.

Patrick MAJOR

Name and Description of the Person taking out the Settlers:

Patrick MAJOR, Farmer, Rathdrum, County Wicklow, Ireland

Names of Settlers

Age

Profession or Trade

Names of Women

Age

Male Children

Age

Female Children

Age

P. MAJOR

32

Farmer

W. MAJOR

32

1st

9

1st

13

G. WORTH

32

Shoemaker

Mrs. SAUL

24

2nd

7

2nd

11

I'c SAUL Jun

26

L. Surveyor

- WEBSTER

22

3rd

6

3rd

6

I's SAUL

20

Farmer

- MATES

24

4th

1

4th

14

Jno. SAUL

22

Do.

- SAUL

22

   

5th

5

Wm. SAUL

20

Labourer

       

6th

4

H. WEBSTER

24

Blacksmith

           

L. MATES

32

Farmer

           

Wm. MATES

28

Do.

           

J.MOORE

28

Labourer

           

TOTAL

10

   

5

 

4

 

6

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