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.

GREATHEAD, James Henry, 1820 Settler

(see also correspondence of 1820 A-L at CO58/52 and letter by his father Francis GREATHEAD in 1821at CO48/56)

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 310

Dudley

July 30 1819

Sir

In order to obtain a free passage to the Cape of Good Hope and become a settler there I have selected 10 able bodied Individuals who wish to proceed there for that purpose. These Individuals consist of 7 Farmers 1 Gardner 1 Mill Wright and 1 Smith. should any other men be prefered to these I have already mentioned I can upon being informed thereof select such more as may be approved of by Government.

Should this proposal be accepted a letter addressed J. H. GREATHEAD Dudley Worcestershire will greatly oblige, Sir

Your most obd 't Humble Servant

J. H. GREATHEAD

PS. 3 of these men have small families.

Qn. What Tonnage are each Individual allowed to take

Qn. Will any Terr. Army be given to the settlers at the Cape

Qn. When will the 10 for each family be called for

Qn. Are the Names of each Individual to be inserted

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 351

Dudley

Worcestershire

Aug 9 1819

Sir

In my letter to you of July the 30th I omitted to request you would furnish me with such information as would be nesessary relative to my arrangement with Government to take with 10 Able Bodied Individuals as settlers to the Cape of good hope agreable to the regulations laid down by His Majesty's Government. I therefore trust you will be pleased to furnish me with such information as you may deem necessary to enable me to make some arrangements with the Families who have solicited me to proceed to the Cape two of which are out of employ.

I am Sir Your Most Obt Humble Serv't

J. H. GREATHEAD

PS: Perhaps you can inform me if any engagements of July 30th are Accepted

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 457

Dudley

Aug 12th 1819

Sir

In reply to your favour of the 9th Ins't I beg leave to annexed you a correct list and description of the persons and their families whom I propose to take with me to the Cape of good hope which I trust will meet with approbation. The results of which I am anxious to learn.

I have the Honour to be Sir your Most Obt Humble Servant

J. H. GREATHEAD

Names of the Men Women & Children

Age

No of Males

No of Females

Occupation

Observations

Jas Hen'y GREATHEAD

24

1

 

Clerk, Landsurveyor & Farmer

No child yet but soon will have

Martha GREATHEAD

20

 

1

Whife to J.H. GREATHEAD

 

Will'm GREATHEAD

20

1

 

Farmer, Grazier & Butcher

 

Rob't PEPLOW

21

1

 

Farmer

Married on the

Mary PEPLOW

18

 

1

Whife to Rob't PEPLOW

[anticipation?] of emigrating

George HADLEY

22

1

 

Sawyer

 

Will'm FIELD

28

1

 

Bricklayer & Carpenter

 

Jos'h CARR

22

1

 

Mill Wright

Just married

Eliz. CARR

22

 

1

Whife to Jos'h CARR

 

John LAW

24

1

 

Farmer

 

John RICHARDSON

20

1

 

Gardener

 

Jos'h GRAINGER

22

1

 

Farmer

 

Maria GRAINGER

23

 

1

Whife to Jos'h GRAINGER

 

Sarah GRAINGER

¼ yr

 

1

Daughter to Jos'h GRAINGER

 

Thos. VAWN

34

1

 

Farmer

 

Jane VAWN

35

 

1

Whife to Thos. VAWN

 

Mary VAWN

13

 

1

Daughter to Thos. VAWN

 

Will'm LAW

22

1

 

Farmer

Can work as “smith”

   

11 males

7 females

   

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 427

Dudley

Sept 20th 1819

Sir

As Government's circular distinctly the Transports will sail in November in which the settlers for the Cape of Good Hope are to embark, I deem it necessary to apply to you for what further information you may be pleased to give me upon the subject. As the Time of Sailing begins to draw near and the Persons whos names I have transmitted to you are anxious to learn their destiny, no arrangements can be made by me with propriety without hearing the decision of my proposals or something satisfactory.

I have the Honour to be Sir your Most Obt Svt

J. H. GREATHEAD

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 435/436

Dudley

Oct 1st 1819

Sir

As George HADLEY is unwell and likely to continue so, I propose to take John HARTELL and family in his stead and beg you will be pleased to sanction, and make the alteration in the returns sent to you by me. I have remitted to William HILL Esq: Five Pounds in addition to sum stated in your favour of Oct 21st which I trust you will find correct.

I have the Honour to be Sir your Obt Svt.

James Henry GREATHEAD

PS. I will be much obliged to you for my Information you will please to give relative to the time & place of Embarkation.

John HARTELL Aged 44. Farmer

Mary HARTELL Aged 38. Wife

John HARTELL Aged 13 Son

Emma HARTELL Aged 8 Daughter

George HARTELL Aged 2 Son

Joseph HARTELL Aged ¾ Dau [sic]

I beg leave to introduce this family in lieu of George HADLEY.

J. H. GREATHEAD

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 459

Dudley

Oct 6th 1819

Sir

In answer to your favour of Sept 30th I have enclosed you three separate lists of the Individuals who has placed themselves under my direction. In consequence of not having an earlier answer to my proposals, 3 of the persons have declined going, and I have taken the liberty of exchanging two of these, which I trust will be of no material consequence as they are superior men in every respect. I will be very much obliged to you to inform me when the Settlers are to embark and where, so that I may arrange about forwarding the baggage to the Sea Port.

I have the Honour to be Sir your Most Obt Svt

J. H. GREATHEAD

PS. Will the Settlers be provided (?) on Board the Transports with Hammocks and Cotts?

  • Hits: 6586