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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.

BITTLESTON, George

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 201

London 15th July 1819

My Lord,

It being my wish to settle at the Cape of Good Hope (provided I am fortunate enough to obtain the assistance held out by his Majesty's Government) with fourteen or fifteen families under my protection - Five of which have been employed by me as Carpenters, Bricklayers &c but through the depression of Trade I have been obliged in part to discharge –The remainder of which are Husbandmen & one Blacksmith & a Carpenter from the County of Durham. I have selected the Husbandmen from this County on account of their knowledge in agricultural pursuits & general steady conduct & the female part from being well acquainted with Knitting, Spinning &c – but should wish to be informed in what Part of the Country it is intended we should be settled; for having intensive connexions in the Iron Trade at Birmingham and Wolverhampton I flatter myself that I should likewise be enabled to carry on extensive Trade with advantage to myself & of service to the Colonists & on this account should wish to be settled as near to the Harbour as possible. And I should wish to know in what way Materials for erecting Habitations are obtained, or whether they will be supplied on the same terms as implements of Husbandry – a favourable answer will be gratefully received by

George BITTLESTON

Timber Merchant and Builder

Lomans Pond

Gravel Lane

Southwark

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 401

1st Aug 1819

My Lord,

I beg leave most respectfully to acknowledge your circular of the 17th (signed Henry GOULBURN) in answer to mine of the 15th, and being fully satisfied as to the proposals which have been offered by His Majesty's Government only wish to be informed if I and those under my protection may be allowed to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope at the time appointed by his Majesty's Government. On account of the distance of the County of Durham from Town & the preparations which will be necessary before their departure from that county, I should on their account feel myself most particularly obliged for an early answer to this, should I be allowed to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope in conformity with the offer of His Majesty's Government.

I am you Lordship's obdt. Humble sevt

George BITTLESTON

Timber Merchant & Builder

Lomans Pond

Gravel Lane

Southwark

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