GSSAThe 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Selected Settler Correspondence 1820 - 1837

Whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46 at the National Archives), whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape, here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed. There are many other letters in later files, thought not to be written by eventual settlers. However, if an ancestor is known to have emigrated after the 1820 settlers then it might be worth looking through the rest of the correspondence, which is arranged alphabetically. The relevant files for letters written in 1820 are CO48/52 (A-L) and CO48/53 (M-Y). Later files are labelled "Original Correspondence" followed by the year, and can be found from CO48/56 (1821) to CO48/186 (1837).

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy. The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

ERITH, James Thomas, 1820

Written by Sue Mackay.

National Archives, Kew, CO48/52, 297

To the Earl BATHURST, one of His Majestys Principle Secretaries of State.

The humble Petition of James Thomas ERITH of No 2 Barden Place, Packham [today Peckham], Baker

Humbly showith –

That your Petitioner having cawled his Party together and find that some have Hir'd themselves as yearly servants last Michaelmas I have got others to go in their place equally capable. I hope your Lordship will favour me with this alteration as the men are ready to go on Board and only wait your Lordship's answer.

I am my Lord

Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant

James Thomas ERITH

Their Names and their Ages

James Thomas ERITH, 30, Baker

Jane ERITH, 31, Wife

Jane ERITH, 3, Daughter

E ERITH, 2, Daughter

Robert ROBERSON, 27, Farmer

Martha ROBERSON, 26, Wife

Robert ROBERSON, 4, Son

John ROBERSON, 2, Son

Phillip ROBERSON, 1, Son

Luizar ROBERSON, 5, Daughter

James KEMP, 24, Farmer

Hannah KEMP, 20, Wife

John PANKHURST, 20, Farmer

John RALPH, 19, Farmer

Thomas DRY, 21, Farmer

Thurston WHITTLE, 29, Carpenter

Robert HUGHES, 40, Farmer

George SHEPHARD, 36, Farmer

John TAYLOR, 18, Farmer

[Clerk's notation]

Men 10

Women 3

Children under 14 6

Total 19

Deposit Money 105£

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