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.

SUTTON, Thomas

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 1103

12 Dec 1819

The humble address of Thomas SUTTON of Burslem in the Parish of Burslem in the County of Stafford, England, Earthenware Printer

Sheweth

That your humble addresser is a Man with a Wife and one Child, that he is a Scholar and an Out-Pensioner for the Board of Ordnance belonging to the 9th Battalion of the Royal Train of Artillery at nine pence per diem.

That your humble addresser has for a long time been out of Employment, Trade in the above Branch being so very slack in so much as his small Salary allowed him by Government is not sufficient for the support of himself and Family, though the same is thankfully accepted. And your addresser having free liberty from the Board to offer himself to go as a settler to the Cape of Good Hope. And under the above circumstances your humble addresser introduces himself to your Honour for your Sympathetic Consideration whether you'll consider it practicable for the addresser to volunteer his services to go to the Cape and on condition of his being allowed the same privileges as others are allowed and for the same destination.

Your humble addresser was a Servant to one Major STONE of the Train until his death and afterwards became Servant to Sir Gore ONSLEY who was then an English Embassador in Persia &c to whom Reference for your addresser's character and conduct may be had.

Your condescending answer at your Honour's most earliest conveyance to the above pointing out in what mode or method it would be most best for your humble addresser to pursue; the same intimation from you will be strictly attended to and will be most kindly received and thankfully accepted by, Hon Sir

Your most hbl addresser

Thomas SUTTON

At Mr. James SUTTON's China Manufacturer

Burslem, Staffordshire

[Note from GOULBURN]

The number of settlers for the present year being complete, Lord B cannot accede to his wish but if further offers should hereafter be accepted Lord B will then be ready to take his request into consideration

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 1120

Burslem

22 December 1819

Sir,

Your answer to me of this instant December came duly to hand stating that the number of settlers for the Cape of Good Hope for the year are complete, and as I am still out of Employ and there should be any defaulters in recanting from their voluntary service I should be glad to supply that place. Should this be the case, on your information to me for that purpose, I will be ready in a few days notice and proceed to any place you may appoint. In case any advance of money is required from me it shall not be wanting. Many of the settlers are now residing in Burslem waiting for their Rout and should be happy to go with them but on my own bottom as you and [obscured] should agree. I should at a future period arrange for my Wife and Child to follow after. The grant for my going I have obtained from the Secretary of the Board of Ordnance and recommends my going to the Cape. Your answer to this will much oblige Sir

Your most oded't serv't

Thomas SUTTON

At James SUTTON's China Manufacturer

Burslem

Staffordshire

  • Hits: 6300