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.

O'MEAGHER, James

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 518

23 George Street

Chelsea

27th July 1819

Sir

As the Legislature have humanely voted a certain sum of money to enable the Government to send out to the Cape of Good Hope a number of Families that may be reduced to indigence through the want of Employment & who are in consequence thereof become objects of commiseration, I humbly take leave to address you for the purpose of claiming a participation of that benevolence which is now offered to the distressed.

I have been regularly initiated into the general routine of commercial business & I have a perfect knowledge of the Irish Provision Trade & agricultural pursuits I have studied for some time, but through losses and misfortunes which no human prudence could well guard against, I have been by degree reduced to a state of wretchedness which my feelings will not permit me to describe. In vain have I endeavoured to procure a situation even at a trivial salary altho' my character remains unsullied. I have a wife and four children & as Irish to live & die & to bring up the offspring of my loins under British Laws I hope I may be deemed an object of consideration. I can give the most satisfactory references if required. As my mind is upon the wrack may I be permitted to crave an early answer to this.

I am with the greatest respect

Sir, Your ob't. Serv't.

James O'MEAGHER

  • Hits: 5955