GSSAThe 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Selected Settler Correspondence 1820 - 1837

Whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46 at the National Archives), whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape, here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed. There are many other letters in later files, thought not to be written by eventual settlers. However, if an ancestor is known to have emigrated after the 1820 settlers then it might be worth looking through the rest of the correspondence, which is arranged alphabetically. The relevant files for letters written in 1820 are CO48/52 (A-L) and CO48/53 (M-Y). Later files are labelled "Original Correspondence" followed by the year, and can be found from CO48/56 (1821) to CO48/186 (1837).

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy. The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

HART, Samuel Hood, 1829

Written by Sue Mackay .

National Archives, Kew, CO48/133, 128

Pummice, near Bridport, Dorset

7th July 1829

Hon'd Sir,

I may truly call myself an Orphan in this country having no Parents or Relations to apply to that will take care of me since my Grandfather's death, a particular friend of my late Grandfather's have taken me under his care some years past. I have a liberal education and have a Father and a Sister living at No.9 Buetinkant, Cape of Good Hope, and have a Brother there at the Frontier called Graff Rennet and my Father is very desirous of my being with him but he cannot raise Money sufficient to pay my passage.

I much wish and am very desirous of being with my Father and I have to beg you'll have the goodness to get me a free passage, and if I am granted the passage free you'll please to have the goodness to inform me of the time and place, when and where I am to embark and what will be necessary for my friend to provide for me previous to my leaving here. Your presenting this my request to the Hon'ble the Commissioners belonging to the Office will be ever gratefully remembered by your Honors

Most obd't & vary hbl svt

Samuel Hood HART

PS You'll please to ans'r this as soon as convenient.

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