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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.

PALMER, William

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 39

19 Shorts Gardens

Drury Lane

Saturday July 24 1819

Sir,

As I find trade at present very dead and nothing likely to stir which enables me to get my living here I therefore make application as I find that persons of good health and strong constitution is wanted for the fertilizing of the Cape of Good Hope as my mind is fully satisfied to go if I can agree with the terms proposed for the emigration.

Yours &c

Wm. PALMER

Locksmith, Bellhanger, Smith in general

Aged 22 years

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 67

19 Shorts Gardens

Drury Lane

July 29 1819

Sir,

Having received an answer to the letter I wrote concerning the statement of the propositions for those inclined to emigrate to the Cape and am satisfied with the statement as it respects the passage and allso the grant that is made to those that go but for further satisfaction I wish to know whether I am to be provided with tools for my employ or whether I am to provide myself with them and allso what is to be provided for the cultivation of the land given and in what way the land is to be cultivated and allso what means of suppoart there will be for those who settle at the cape as it appears to me that no trade can be carried on till the land becomes cultivated, likewise when we shall embark or how we shall attain a knowledge of our embarkation.

And I remain yours

Wm. PALMER

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