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.

PORCAS, Thomas

Written by Sue Mackay on 04 January 2011.

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 8

30 Walbrook

14 July 1819

Sir,

In consequence of having the Chancellor of the Exchequer remark as to persons wishing to go to the Cape of Good Hope I beg leave to state to you that I should have no objection provided I saw my prospects any way beneficial. I was the person who supplied Government with the compound Horse Forrage for the use of Cavalry thro' serving in Spain & Portugal. But circumstances was my ruin. I am known to Sir Henry TORRENS & I dare say would speak for my interest.

I have a wife and six small children and myself out of employment. I have also a friend of mine that would have no objection to go should there be a chance of his doing well. He has a wife & five children. His name is William LIFFORD formerly a very respectable ropemaker in Shadwell.

Your answer will ever oblige

Yours respectfully to command

Thomas PORCAS

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