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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.

ERNST, Philip

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 13

37 Crispin Street

Spital-fields

London

July 19, 1819

My Lord

I am a healthy young man aged 22 years, a member of the Church of England, and have had a good Plain Education. I have supported myself since I was 13 years old, and by dint of industry, accumulated 36 Pounds, but I have always wished to have the cultivation of a little land, and should be very happy to settle at the Cape of Good Hope. I would willingly deposit 10 pounds for myself but my connection being small, I have no opportunity of commanding 10 persons, therefore humbly ask your Lordship's advice which will be thankfully received and duly attended to.

By your Lordship's humble and obedient servant

Philip ERNST

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 89

37 Crispin Street

Spital-fields

London

October 24, 1819

My Lord

I am a young man 22 years of age and have made application to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope in a party signed J. ROBERTS but have been unfortunately refused; I am consequently in a most awkward situation being out of employment and likely to continue so owing to the depressed state of every trade and profession. I therefore humbly beg leave to say that if your Lordship would annex my name to any party accepted & permit me to work my passage over either to the Cape or New South Wales I should be extremely thankful and I flatter myself I should not be a bothersome addition to either Colony as I have a slight knowledge of agriculture and the preparation of silk for exportation together with £50 ready money and as to character I can if necessary produce testimonials from the Rev. C. MACCARTHY, Chaplain to the right Hon Earl BATHURST, from the Rev West WHELDALE, rector of Spitalfields and numerous respectable house keepers who have known me for upwards of 12 years, therefore should I be deemed worthy of notice by your Lordship or his Majesty's Government I shall ever remember any attention I may receive with infinite grattitude. Any communication will be thankfully attended to by your Lordship's very humble and obedient servant

Philip ERNST

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