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.

NORDEN, Joshua (brother of Benjamin NORDEN), 1822

Written by Sue Mackay.

National Archives, Kew, CO48/59, 426

London

18th Oct 1822

Sir,

I beg you will excuse the freedom I take in addressing you but being actuated from a sense of your goodness to pardon the presumption.

I thus wish you to inform me if it lies in your limitted power to grant me a free passage to the Cape of Good Hope, my finding myself in provision & taking with me small quantity of goods consisting of bale & wearing apparel, quills & stationary. My brother Benjamin NORDEN [SIMONS?] being one of Mr.WILSON's Party of settlers has now wrote for me to come out to him at the Cape. Thinking to embrace this opportunity I shall feel it a great obligation confered on me if you can grant the indulgence of my request and allow me to subscribe myself, Sir

Your most ob't hble serv't

Joshua NORDEN

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