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.

CLARKE, Thomas, 1820 Settler

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 383

No.10 Swan Place

Old Kent Road

2nd October 1819

Sir,

Being desirous to be permitted to form part of the new settlement in South Africa I beg of you as a favor that I may be furnished with such particulars regarding the proposed undertaking as you may be pleased to communicate together with the mode of application to His Majesty's government for such permission.

Having been brought up in the middle class of society with prospects before me which the change of times has marred, I am left without any other recourse for my wife and seven children under fourteen years of age. And your kind consideration of this case to save them from becoming parochially dependable which they must have been some time but for the actual support of friends who will advance the needful funds for our joining the proposed expedition.

I am respectfully Sir

Your most obdt hbl sevt

Thos. CLARKE

  • Hits: 5836