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.

MORTIMER, Thomas B.

Written by Sue Mackay on .

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 730

Bellefield House

Trowbridge

9th Nov 1819

My Lord,

I feel my Lord that I shall be intruding on your attention a circumstance of very trifling importance but with the hope that your Lordship will pardon it.

Isaac BOX absconded from my service late on Saturday night last, without any kind of notice or provocation to induce him, taking with him livery and clothes &c belonging to me & some money of the other servants. He talked some days before that when he next moved it would be to a distance of three thousand miles & I have reason to believe that he has been induced by a farmer, residing below Bristol (whose name I hope to learn in an day or two) to emigrate with him as his servant to the Cape of Good Hope.

If my Lord it will be under your control to detain the said Isaac BOX (whole description below) I shall feel the favour conferred on me & will on ascertaining the same send the Constable of this Parish after him

I beg to remain my Lord

Your Lordship's obedient humble servant

Thos. B. MORTIMER

The said Isaac BOX is about 22 years of age, five feet seven inches high, dark brown hair & red coloured cheeks. He went of with livery &c being a blue coat, a red waistcoat, cord breeches and boots. His eyes were dark & small & had a little impediment of speech.

[Note from GOULBURN: See if his name appears in any of the lists from Bristol or its vicinity. If not assure him that he will not be allowed to embark for the Cape. If his name appears acquaint him with the port at which he proposes to embark in order that he may take the necessary measures for his prosecution]

  • Hits: 6200