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.

NORTH, Richard

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 826

22 James Street

Lisson Grove

London

26th July 1819

Sir,

I am allmost under the necessity of applying to you concerning the emigration to the Cape of Good Hope, which I am particularly anxious of going, but I am quite destitute of all the means of paying any Deposit as I have not got five pounds at my command. I wish to inform you I am a wheelwright by business but misfortune finding me I wish to leave the country.

Any person taking a party out I shall wish to go with, Sir, and by letting me know the particulars of going I shall be very thankfull

Your humble servant

Richard NORTH

22 James Street

Lisson Grove

29th July 1819

Sir,

In answer to the circular I received I perceive that none can go to the Cape of Good Hope unless they can take ten families and deposit at the rate of ten pounds each family which I am unable to do, any person taking out families to commence in the farming buisness I shall be glad to engage myself to go with them as Wheelwright & Carpenter as I have served a regular Apprenticeship to the above branches about 25 miles down in the country – where trade is in such stagnation and coming to town I find it equally as bad that I've done nothing for several months. I have determined to go to the Cape if possible. I will undertake to make anything in the Agricultury line such as Ploughs, Harrows, Brakes, Waggons, Carts &c &c or any thing proper to till the ground. I shall be greatly thankfull to your Honour to mention it to any Gentleman taking a party over. I will engage myself with them, I will attend on them at the office or any other place they may appoint to meet me on the shortest notice by sending the letter post paid to Richard NORTH, 22 James Street Lisson Grove. I have a wife & two children under 14 years of age. I wish for an answer as soon as possible.

Your humble servant

Richard NORTH

  • Hits: 6372