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.

WILLIAMS, W.B.

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 423/424

St. Heliers

Jersey

Sept. 1st 1819

My Lord

Having received the annexed Letter from Lord SIDMOUTH, I beg to solicit your Lordships permission to go out as a Settler to Algoa Bay, and to state for your Lordships information, that I am a single man of Respectable Family having a good Character; but owing to a variety of misfortunes which have happened to myself and Parents; I am now an out Pensioner of the Royal Hospital at Chelsea at [6p per day] admitted as such 26th November 1817, for 9 years, 4 months, & 12 days, Service in India, with His Majesty's 80th Regiment of Foot, I have been ever since out of employ which can be testified by several respectable Gentlemen.

I also beg to ask your Lordship for Instructions how I am to get an allowance, and what I may expect for my Pension; and that your Lordship, will condescend to direct one of the Government Circulars, to be sent me with any other Instructions your Lordship may deem necessary for a Settler. I am aged 27 years 6 months and was born in England.

I am, My Lord, Your Lordship's,

Much obliged & most obedient, Humble Servant

W.B. WILLIAMS

[Enclosed letter to W.B. WILLIAMS]

Whitehall

16th August 1819

Sir,

I am directed by Lord SIDMOUTH to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 1st Inst., and to acquaint [you] in reply, that your application for permission to go out as a Settler to the Cape of Good Hope should be addressed to the Earl BATHURST, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.

I am, Sir,

Your Obedient Servant

Fred Russel MILES

Priv.t Secry.

  • Hits: 6513