JOHNSON, Thomas

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 108

Billy Mill

9^th September 1819

My Lord,

I humbly beg permission of your Lordship for a passage to the Cape of Good Hope under the encouragement and advantages held out by Government to settle there. I have been a practical miller and farmer on my own account for the last fourteen years, have a wife and family of three boys and two girls and am thirty three years of age. Can take out with me one very intelligent and experienced millwright, one cartwright, one or two able blacksmiths with about ten others mostly husbandmen with their families.

An answer stating whether we can be allowed the priviledge of emigrating and if so what time will be necessary to hold ourselves in readiness for the voyage, addressed for me Bill Mill, by North Shields, Northumberland will greatly oblige

Your Lordship's most obedient servant

Thomas JOHNSON

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 129

My Lord,

In conformity to the directions contained in your letter of the 13^th inst I transmit for your consideration a detailed statement of the number of persons, names and descriptions of those proposing to settle at the Cape of Good Hope

Name and Description of the Person taking out the Settlers:

Thomas JOHNSON

Miller and Farmer, Billy Mill, by North Shields, Northumberland, age 33

Mary JOHNSON 36

John/Thomas/James 12/10/6 Mary/Jane 7/2

My Lord, I am fully determined to abide strictly by the conditions granted by his Majesty's Government and have no person in the list who does not express themselves firmly to the same purpose. My Lord I beg to observe that from my own personal knowledge of the [obscured] abilities if the mechanics they will be of the highest importance to the colony. I would be favoured by being allowed to take out with me a pair of mill stones and other machinery and the sooner I receive your Lordship's directions to prepare for the voyage will oblige

Your Lordship's most obedient servant

Thomas JOHNSON