Skip to main content
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.

HOPKINS, James

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 935

Warminster

Wilts

Dec 17th 1819

Most honored Sir,

My cousin William WATTS of Dilton Marsh Westbury Wilts with his wife and four children under fourteen years of age have this day declined going to the Cape of Good Hope with Captain JAMES in consequence of which Mr. JAMES is one family of six persons short of his number to go to that colony. Mr. JAMES is willing to take me my wife and family which is six in number in the place of my cousin WATTS and family to keep the number right on the books if it should be agreeable to your Lordship. One of my children is past fourteen years and I would pay the difference of charge on that child if required. Please answer this as soon as possible, directed to me

Jno HOPKINS

Army Baker and Purveyor of Oats

Warminster, Wilts

PS I have knowledge in the dairy farming business having rented an estate of Dr. BETHEL in the Parish of Bradford, also rented Brook Cottage Estate in the Parish of Westbury Wilts some years past. My age is 42 years, I have served in office and have no objection to be made constable to keep the peace on my arrival at the Cape.

Mr. JAMES is gone forward this day with the party for Portsmouth

[Transcriber's note: Samuel JAMES's letter from Portsmouth (see under J at CO48/44) begins “In Apply to John HOPKINS letter dated 22nd instant from Mr. GOULBURN acceptances of him and his wife and family in the substituted of William WATTS and family By my Recomention I therefore strongly recommend him as a usefull an fit man for this Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope.” John HOPKINS did not, however, appear on the muster roll for the party on board the Weymouth. His cousin William WATTS was in all probability a relation of Rebecca WATTS, who married James RANDALL in Westbury on 31 Dec 1809 and sailed on the Weymouth]

  • Hits: 5903