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.

GALLOWAY, William

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 277

July 20 1819

Honour'd Sir

I take the liberty of writing to you as I am inform'd that some mechanics are wanted to go to the Cape of Good Hope and as I have served my time to a Smith and Engineer, aged 31 years and free from incumbrance and resides at No. 40 Crown St, Soho.

Sir I am with due respect

Your obliged humble servant

W'm GALLOWAY

[on same page]

Honoured Sir

My name is Thomas SMITH by trade a Smith aged 24 years and resides at No. 6 Little St Andrew Street, 7 Dials, has a wife but no family and wishes to go to the Cape of Good Hope.

Sir I Remain Your

Most Humble Servant

Tho's SMITH

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 287

No. 40 Crown Street

Soho

July 22

Sir

I received your favour of a circular letter respecting the emigration to the Cape of Good hope (which I wrote for) & for which I humbly return you thanks. But in the perusal of the same I cannot learn in what manner I am to proceed (on my arrival there) in order to gain a livelihood or maintenence for myself & family, therefore shall thank you for a propper explanation to the same because I can form no idea in in [sic] what situation I shall be placed in on my arrival except to be placed in an unknown [territory] without any means of subsistence etc.

Therefore your full and clear diffinition or explanation to the above will greatly oblige Sir

Your most humble & obedient servant

W'm GALLOWAY

NB I shall thank you for an imediate answer directed thus

No. 40 Crown Street, Soho

  • Hits: 6056