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.

JOHNSON, Hutchinson

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 112

Great Britain Street

Cork

Sept 19th 1819

My Lord,

Having totally changed my mind with respect to my proceeding to America as a settler I am anxious to know if Government give any encouragement to officers proceeding with their families to the Cape of Good Hope as I would most willingly go there if the encouragement is of a nature calculated to make my family comfortable.

May I beg the favor of your Lordship's early reply on this subject stating the particulars. I could take out from 250 to 300 working men, tenants to my family who would go with me.

I have the honor to be your Lordship's most humble obed't sevt

F Hely? Hutchinson JOHNSON

Lt Half Pay Royal W.I Rangers

Great Britain Street

Cork

October 3rd 1819

My Lord,

I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from your office of the 24th ultimo on the subject of the emigration to the Cape of Good Hope.

Should I fulfil the conditions contained therein will I also receive any allowance as a Half Pay officer under the same conditions as proceeding as a settler to America?

I can take out from 200 to 250 fine workmen tenants to several branches of my family and who are ready at the shortest notice.

I have the honor to be my Lord your most obed't hbl sevt

F Hely? Hutchinson JOHNSON

Lieutenant HP Royal W.I.Rangers

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 162

Orchard Hills

Kinsales

Ireland

December 31st 1819

My Lord,

I take the liberty of writing to you in favor of four young gentlemen who are desirous of proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope. They are left orphans but are perfectly capable of cultivating a farm, their ages from 19 to 24. Their father served his Majesty's Government as an excise officer for the space of twenty years.

These young men are ready and anxious to proceed immediately and would accept any situation, they have received a liberal and two of them a classical education. May I beg you may be pleased to let me know if you could send them out in any capacity and I will pay £40 for them according to the Regulations.

I would prefer their leaving this country the first opportunity as the lads seem quite anxious for it themselves. Requesting the honor of your Lordship's reply

I have the honor to be your Lordship's most humble obed't sevt

F Hutchinson JOHNSON

HP Lieut. Royal W.I Rangers

[Transcriber's Note: See letter from A. JOHNSTONE]

  • Hits: 5945