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.

STERLEY, Thomas, 1820 Settler

Written by Sue Mackay on 30 November 1999.

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 1040

Billingsford Norfolk

Oct 22, 1819

Honorable Sir

Having engaged to serve Messrs DAMANT of the Cape of Good Hope as a labourer for the term of five years and wishing to take my Wife and Family of seven children who are all agreeable to accompany me there I hereby request your permission for the same purpose to embark from this Country. Beging the favor of your reply as soon as possibly convenient as the first ship will soon sail for the Cape. I beg you will direct for me as above.

I am Honorable Sir

your obed humb servt

Thomas STERLEY

(My age is 54 years)

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