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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.

CALDWELL, Henry

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 122/124

38 Joiners Street

Borough

July 30th 1819

The humble petition of Henry CALDWELL humbly sheweth

Petitioner most humbly prays Sir Henry TORRENS KCB would have the goodness to peruse the following statement of truth and sincerity. Pet'r made all the applications to Colonel SALMON to get established labourer without effect. Pet'r is discharged with some hundred more from the Company warehouses for the want of trade, and has no prospect of getting on untill the Company's shipping comes in next spring. Pet'r loses all hopes of my relatives in India of writing for me or yet recommending me for employment to the Hon'le Court of Directors. Pet'r most humbly implores Sir Henry would forward my petition enclosed to the Earl of BATHURST to get out to the Cape of Good Hope as a settler according to H.M. and the Government rules and regulations. And in duty bound petitioner shall pray

Henry CALDWELL

NB and grant the petitioner a few lines so as to get the inclosed passage

No.38 Joiners Street

Borough

July 30th 1819

My Lord,

The humble petition of Henry CALDWELL

Petitioner belonged nine years to His Majesty's service, five years of the aforesaid time upon active service, and is discharged by the late reducement. Petitioner is out of employment and cannot obtain anything to do.

Pet'r aged 29 years and wife aged 24 years is desirous of going to the Cape of Good Hope as settlers. Conformable to his Majesty's and the Governor's rules there and regulations and binding ourselves thereto.

And as in duty bound petitioners shall pray

Henry CALDWELL

Late Gunner Royal Artillery

Pet'r most humbly awaits answer

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 458

No.5 Colliers Rents

High Street

Borough

Oct 24 1819

My Lord,

I respectfully entreat your Lordship's pardon for leaving your deplorable case before your Lordship.. of truth and sincerity from the hand of a humble loyal soldier. Petitioner belonged to H.M. service 9 years, 5 years of the aforesaid time in the peninsula & the continent, has been in 8 general actions and discharged by reduction, and has no pension – is both pennyless and has no employment. Rejected of being re-enlisted and has a undeniable character from the Army and since by Industry.

Petitioner has a family and had disposed of my little furniture for the support of Nature: is not willing to violate the law – most humbly implores a passage to the Cape of Good Hope to be admitted as a laborer in any of H.M. yards, watchman or porter, abroad or at home as your Lordship judges most meet to the distressed and industrious.

And with my family shall pray

Henry CALDWELL

Major OWEN's Company, 5th Batt. R. Artillery

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