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.

KELLY, Thomas

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 205

Wheat Sheaf

Ewer Steet

Gravel Lain

Southwark

[Received August 1819]

Sir,

Pardon my liberty in being so bold as to solicit your Honour. I understand there are a number of artificers and labourers about being sent to the Cape of Good Hope by order of Government which urges me to solicit your honourable benevolence for a situation as carpenter and joiner. I have had the honour to be on the Expedition on the Continent under the command of the Duke of WELLINGTON and at the Battle of Waterloo, warented by Earl HULGROVE then Master General of the Ordinance. I have a large family and no imployment to suport them & my hopes is to be able to maintain them on a foreign action and also to promote the services by my integrity and sobriety. My family consists of two sons and two daughters and my wife.

Whatever the proposals might be I volunteer my services, meeting with your Honour's aprobation. I hope and trust your Honour will consider me as being in Hs.M. service twelve years and twelve days and was discharged without any benefit, with having undeniable certificates and discharge.

I am Sir your humble solicitor

Thomas KELLY

  • Hits: 6064