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.

UNDERHILL, John

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 208

Chatham, Kent

9th Nov 1819

Honorable Lords Commissioners of the Navy

Most humbly sheweth that your Petitioner served his time in his Majestys at Chatham as a shipwright and at the reducement of the yard was discharged and after served as labourer so long as was able to support my family. Having been advise by many of the officers of His Majesty yard to apply to your Lordship for to go out to Cape of Good Hope on wich I ever trusted in your Lordships goodness and still do trust. I have a wife an small family nearly starving for the want of bread. Humble petitioner will ever in duty bound to pray and serve you

John UNDERHILL

Near the post office, Chatham, Kent

John UNDERHILL/ wife an 2 children

Edes QUENTON

William BENNETT/wife

John READY/wife an 2 children

[note on reverse]

The shipwrights for the Naval Yards at the Cape are already provided.

As it appears to be an offer on behalf of himself & others to go to the Cape put it under cover to Mr. GOULBURN

  • Hits: 5966