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.

LOVATT, Thomas

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 305

Wolverhampton

August 3rd 1819

My Lord

Having seen the copy of a circular letter on the proposed encouraged emigration to the Cape of Good Hope & the offer therein, I find seems to draw very much the attention of the lower classes of the people of this town & neighbourhood - many of whom have apply'd to me (one of the overseers of the poor of this township) wishing to go. The want of employment here having reduced them (mechanics & others) to a dependance in a great measure on the parish for support.

If these are the description of people your Lordship wishes should be of the number, permit me to request information on the following points:-

At whose expense they are to be passed from their homes to the place they are to embark from. Where that place is & by what means they are to be supported should any time elapse after their arrival untill their embarcation, and what other information may be thought necessary.

My motive being to serve my fellow creatures will I trust in the estimation of your Lordship offer an apology sufficing for the liberty taken.

I am, My Lord

Your Lordship's most obdt & most hble servant

Thomas LOVATT

Draper, High Green

  • Hits: 6836