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.

STRUTT, Colonel re David Polley FRANCIS, 1823

Written by Sue Mackay.

National Archives, Kew, CO48/61, 454

2 Cornhill Place

7 June 1823

Colonel STRUTT presents his comps to Mr. WILMOT and forwards to him a packet which he has received from the Rev'd J. CARWARDINE the clergyman of Tolleshunt Heights near to Malden in Essex. Mr. CARWARDINE is brother in law to Mr. David FRANCIS who when in England farmed several hundred acres in a very [masterly?] manner & from the accounts held [obscured] was induced to leave England under the aid of government with several hundred [pounds] in his pocket. He is [obscured] understand now in a state of pecuniary difficulty, not in debt, but by untoward circumstances to which all who went out were subjected he has consumed all his money.

Mr. David FRANCIS is a sensible man but the accompanying out of the settlement will not Col. STRUTT supposes give information to government, but he sends it, hoping to be excused for so doing, because he is requested by the very respectable clergyman Mr. CARWARDINE.

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