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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.

PALMER, Thomas, 1820 Settler

[Transcriber's note: it is not certain which, if either, of the Thomas PALMERs below was the one who emigrated with WILLSON's Party]

THOMAS PALMER (1)

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 305

Lower Marsh

Lambeth

Oct. 11th 1819

Sir

I humbly request that you will do me the favour of sending my address to the Earl BATHURST, and should you think it worthy of further favour, I shall feel grateful for any service you may feel disposed to bestow upon it in the way of recommendation.

The accompanying packet contains the letter of recommendation, also several certificates spoken of in my address to the Earl, as proofs of my statement being correct. The necessary deposit in fact is already paid into a banking house & the which shall be forthcoming at a few hours notice.

Your kindness in forwarding my wishes will be most thankfully and gratefully received by Sir

Your most respectful humble servant

Thos. PALMER

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 309

Lower Marsh

Lambeth

Oct. 12 1819

Sir,

Fearing some mistake I take the liberty of writing to inform you that on Monday afternoon last, I sent into the Colonial Office a packet of papers containing an address to the Earl BATHURST, also a letter addressed to you, with certificates. The favour of a speedy answer to the same will be most thankfully received by your most obedient respectful humble servant,

Thos. PALMER

 

THOMAS PALMER (2)

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 73

Waterford

August 2 1819

My Lord,

Finding that government is giving an encouragement to settlers at the Cape of Good Hope, by sending them out free of expense and granting to each a portion of land, I humbly take the liberty of requesting your Lordship will be pleased to allow me to proceed thither, and if necessary to take with me a few followers, some of whom have small families.

I sailed for several years with Admiral PENROSE as clerk and secretary and am but lately returned to this my native city, in consequence of his having been superceded in the command of the Mediterranean.

Having some knowledge of agriculture, and finding no prospect of pursuing it to advantage here, I am induced to make this application to your Lordship, and if requisite will forward certificates of conduct and character, and will pledge myself that none shall accompany me whose characters are not equally unexceptionable. I will also observe that I am ready to make any deposit which may be required.

I have the honour to be, My Lord

Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant

Thos. PALMER

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 300

Waterford

11 October 1819

My Lord,

I have the honour to enclose a list of persons willing to accompany me to the Cape of Good Hope, agreeably to the instructions contained in your circular of the 9th of August last. If those whom I have selected should meet your Lordships approbation, you will be pleased to give me the necessary directions respecting them, and inform me of the time and place of embarkation, and the manner in which the deposit is to be made.

Your Lordship may be assured I have been very particular in the selection, and that none shall accompany me whose character will not bear the strictest investigation. As to my own, if requisite, I can produce certificates, and refer your Lordship to one of the first naval characters with whom I have served for several years as clerk and secretary.

I have the honour to be, My Lord

Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant

Thos. PALMER

A list of persons to accompany Mr. Thomas PALMER to the Cape of Good Hope

Names

Married

Single

No.of Children

Age

Remarks

Mr.Thos. PALMER

 

Single

 

30

Has a perfect knowledge of farming

Wm. PALMER

 

Do.

 

25

Accustomed to agriculture since his infancy

Jno. CALLEGAN

Married

 

Two

29

Acquainted with country labour

Wm. TURNER

 

Single

 

33

Do.

Jno. MACKEY

Married

 

Three

32

Do.

Jno. BYRNE

 

Single

 

25

Do.

Wm. O'BRIEN

 

Do.

 

21

Do.

Dan'l TRINDLE

 

Do.

 

24

Do.

J. KELLY

 

Do.

 

27

Do.

Wm. HALL

 

Do.

 

19

Do.

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