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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.

BYRNE, Edward

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 663

Rathwilly

Near Baltinglass

23rd October 1819

The petition of Edward BYRNE of Rathwilly in the County Carlow, Land Surveyor, most humbly sheweth

That petitioner served in His Majesty's navy ten years, fought in the memorable Battle of Trafalgar under Sir Richard KING Bart in His Majesty's ship Achilles and who at the capture of four French frigates off Rockford on board said ship was in the expedition to Flushing and at the conclusion of the peace after receiving a serious contusion in actual service was discharged with the small annuity of four pounds p.a.

That petitioner is well practised in surveying and dividing of land, can teach the principle rules of arithmetic and geometry, can procure if required certificates from any neighbouring gentlemen, would willingly embark for the Cape of Good Hope with his family consisting of a wife and four children if your Lordship would approve thereof as he flatters himself they would make useful members of society and might be of use in an infant colony, all which he most humbly submits to the consideration of your Lordship. What induced petitioner to this resolve is that several gentlemen of this neighbourhood, chiefly a Mr. BUTLER and Mr. BURGESS are preparing to embark for said colony, I suppose under the auspices of your Lordship. Petitioner waits your Lordship's reply most humbly, hoping your Lordship will be graciously pleased to return a favourable answer. Your petitioner with all due respect most humbly subscribes himself your Lordship's most obedient humble servant

Edward BYRNE

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