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.

GUTTERIDGE, James

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 308

Cooperage

Jacob Street

Dock Head

Bermondsey

30 July 1819

Sir,

Having read the copy of a circular in the Times Newspaper relating to the emigration to the Cape of Good Hope I should be much obliged to you for information on the following points.

1st Having been for some years in business as a cooper, both in the Island of Jamaica and in London, and having a wife & four children under seven years of age & having the means of taking out a small cooperage, what trade or calling would be most approved by Government for the ten persons or families to be taken out.

[in GOULBURN's hand: agricultural]

2nd In what district and what distance from Cape Town is it likely to obtain a grant of land

3rd At whose expence the ten families to be taken out are to be supported untill they are settled and able to support themselves, and at whose expence to be conveyed up the country.

4th In what light are the ten persons or families going out to be considered – are they to take a share of the land and support themselves or to be considered as servants and paid by me, and if so can I compel them to remain for any certain time on the estate with me.

[in GOULBURN's hand: may make what agreements they to have amongst themselves]

5th Who is to be at the expense of building houses and providing implements for the persons going out

[in GOULBURN's hand: the settler taking them with their assistance]

6th Will the land granted become hereditary in the family or will it on the death of the person to whom granted revert to the Crown

[in GOULBURN's hand: hereditary if the conditions of the grant are complied with]

7th Is it likely to obtain the assistance of the natives in clearing & cultivating the land by paying them a reasonable price for their labour.

[in GOULBURN's hand: labour may be hired]

8th Being at this time engaged in a business that would require about six months to arrange, at what time may I expect if approved by Government to leave this country.

[in GOULBURN's hand: when his proposal is made a distinct answer will be given him until which time no measures should be taken]

An early answer to these questions or such of them as may be thought proper or any other information will be gratefully received by, Sir

Your obed't humble serv't

James GUTTERIDGE

  • Hits: 6475