Skip to main content
GSSA
The 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Correspondence 1821 to 1837.

Here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed, whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46) whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape.

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.

GREATHEAD, Francis (father of James Henry GREATHEAD), 1821

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew, CO48/56, 119

Summer Hill

Sand Pits

Birmingham

Oct 12th 1821

My Lord,

I trust your Lordships wonted goodness will excuse the liberty I have taken in addressing you on this subject and humbly beg your Lordships gracious consideration thereof. In 1819 my son Mr. James Henry GREATHEAD was selected by your Lordship's permission to emigrate at the Head of a Party to the Cape of Good Hope, and in consequence of so short a notice and his men living so remote from his residence it was with difficulty they could collect their baggage, which was executed on the part of my two sons with the greatest expedition. It was conveyed by waggon to WHITEHOUSE's Wharf, Tipton and put on board a boat, but in consequence of the frost setting in it was obliged to be disembarked and Mr. WHITEHOUSE engaged to convey it to Worcester by waggon, faithfully promising to forward it to Bristol immediately. My son not being able to proceed instantly on account of his wife's confinement, my youngest son (who was in co-operation with him) proceeded with his Party to Bristol and embarked on board the Kennersley Castle. My son and his family followed them six days after, but not being able to proceed further than Worcester, he availed himself of the opportunity to enquire where and by whom the baggage had been forwarded, and to his great astonishment it was still at Worcester. He engaged with HOWES, GABB & Co to forward it to Bristol with all possible speed; after the elapse of several days it arrived at Bristol, leaving behind two large packages weighing upwards of a ton in weight. He immediately wrote to Major POLLARD & Sons the ship agents, praying them to forward them by the first ship that sailed for the Cape, and enclosed a one pound note to defray the expence of embarkation. He also wrote to me requesting I would write to POLLARD & Sons to know if they were gone and by whom, which I did by letter post paid, but received no answer, consequently concluded they were gone. In a letter from my son dated 11th June 1820 they had not then received them and lamented much their non arrival, as they contained articles of the greatest consequence to them. I then wrote again to POLLARD & Son, which for answer he had not received them. After much trouble and enquiring I find the said goods are at HOWES,GABB & Co's warehouse, Bristol. It is with the greatest regret I trouble your Lordship with such a long detail, as in addition to this disaster I have to deplore the loss of his [obscured] eight acres of barley, together with a great quantity of timber and all his other property consumed by fire. I beg leave to observe to your Lordship that my son was at great expence in conveying the Party by coach and also their baggage by land and having lost 30? acres of wheat by blight it cannot but be severely felt by them. I humbly beg your Lordship will be graciously pleased to cause the said goods to be forwarded by a Government vessel and that your Lordship will be pleased to order to be paid such reasonable expences as may be upon them, which will much relieve them.

I am your Lordship's very obedient humble servant

Francis GREATHEAD

PS My sons went from Dudley Worcestershire and located Tivia Dale near Bathurst, Albany, Cape of Good Hope

[Note from GOULBURN]

If the baggage were in London Lord B could give orders for its shipment on board any transport which might be taken up for the Cape of Good Hope but beyond this Lord B has no power of affording him any assistance.

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew, CO48/56, 121

Sand Pits

Birmingham

Oct 18th 1821

Sir,

I was duly favoured with your letter wherein Lord BATHURST will have no objection to the shipment of the goods belonging to my son, James Henry GREATHEAD. Settler at the Cape, (providing they were in London). I return his Lordship my most grateful thanks for this kind indulgence but I am still at a loss to know where they are to be consigned to in London. I will be very much obliged to you Sir if you will be pleased to give me directions on this subject.

I am Sir

Your most obed't serv't

Francis GREATHEAD

  • Hits: 6788