SOUTH-AFRICA-IMMIGRANTS-BRITISH-L Archives
Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA-IMMIGRANTS-BRITISH > 2006-10 > 1161126799
From: Sue Mackay <>
Subject: [ZA-IB] Settler Correspondence - Thomas ROWLES
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:13:19 +0100 (BST)
Transcribed from CO48/45 at the National Archives in
Kew, London
492
Stroud, Gloucestershire
30th July 1819
Right Hond Sir,
Inspired with a hope at the appearance of the grant
which Government have made to encourage emigration to
the Cape my present object is to ascertain
instructions how to obtain their protection.
Possessed of a mind elevated I trust a little above
that of a common mendicant, my chief and indeed my
only motive for leaving my native country is to obtain
means to provide by honesty and industry for a wife
and family of seven, which I find totally
impracticable here. To enter into particulars relative
to my circumstances in life I suppose is not necessary
on this occasion. The employment I am desirous of at
the Cape is the cultivation of land and as opportunity
serves the instruction of the youth surrounding my
abode.
Let me intreat you Rt Hon Sir to give my case your
serious consideration. We are all young and in good
health, able and willing to work. A refusal to our
petition will come as a thunderbolt. It must
[obscured] be received by us under our present gloomy
circumstances as a warrant to suffer martyrdom by
starvation and that too in a land teeming with
abundance. Nothing is more repugnant to my feelings
than the idea of alms and parish charity. Any
privations rather than undergo the thought. To an
external observer there may appear to be no prospect
of anything of the kind. It is true we are at present
in some degree of respectability but could you, Rt.
Hon. Sir, know our real circumstances I am confident
the feelings of your own heart would not fail to
produce an effect on your influence in our behalf.
Thankful that under the British constitution such
influence may and is exerted in behalf of those whose
humble lot is cast amongst the distresses of human
life, such is your petitioner who, impressed with a
conviction that you will not overlook him, begs with
all deference and submission to remain, Rt.Hon. Sir
Your very obedient and humble anxious servant
Thomas ROWLES
561
22 Weymouth Terrace
Hackney Road
Or Stroud, Gloucestershire
25th August 1819
Sir,
Agreeably to your instructions I beg to transmit you
the Return of the Persons I wish to take out as
Settlers, hoping it will be accepted. Waiting your
pleasure and further directions I beg to remain Sir
Your most obedt humble servant
Thomas ROWLES
Return of Persons intended to be taken out as Settlers
to the Cape of Good Hope
Name,Age,Country,Description,Family,Children under 14
Thomas ROWLES,32,England,Traveller Clerk, Surveyor
&c,Wife & 6,5 boys 1 girl
Isaac WIGGALL,30,Do.,Carpenter,Wife & 4,3 boys 1 girl
Simon GARDNER,24,Do.,Millwright,Wife & 1,1 boy
William LAWFULL,30,Do.,Sawyer,Wife & 3,3 boys
Jno. CRANE,22,Do.,Carpenter,Single
Henry LANGAN,34,Do.,Wheelwright,Wife & 4,3 boys 1 girl
Jno. CHIPPERFIELD,20,Do.,Labourer,Single
Frederick HAWKES,21,Do.,Mason,Do.
Wm. SCARLETT,22,Do.,Cabinet Maker,Do.
Jno. PHIPPS,25,Do.,Labourer,Wife & 1,1 boy
Edward THOMPSON,30,Do.,Shoemaker,Wife & 3,1 boy 2
girls
612
Hackney
5th Oct 1819
Sir,
As I deemed it necessary to meet my Party previous to
sending in the lists agreeably to your instructions I
could not conveniently make my return sooner.
You will perceive, Sir, on examination, some
deviation from the former list, which I have been
compelled to make on account of some of the
individuals withdrawing from their agreement, in
consequence of listening to the false rumours which
are so industriously circulated by the enemies to all
good and laudable efforts. The consequence I trust
will not be material as their places are supplied by
promising young men of good character.
I have take the liberty to enclose a few questions
hoping you will not take it as an intrusion, which if
convenient should be happy to receive with your next
communication. Waiting your pleasure I remain Sir
Your very obedt humble & obliged servant
Thomas ROWLES
[attached]
Sir,
If you think it is not too much trouble you will very
much oblige me by resolving the following questions,
which are humbly submitted to you solely for the
satisfaction of the party under my direction. I am Sir
Your very obedt & obliged servant
Thomas ROWLES
As my party will be equally interested in regard to
distribution of the land, profits &c will it be
necessary that an agreement to that effect made in
England previous to embarkation should be subject to
stamp duty?
Must such agreement or a copy thereof be left in the
care of Government?
On our arrival at the Cape will the deposit be repaid
in sterling?
If any individual dies on his passage will his deposit
be forfeited?
Should any of the unmarried of my party contract
matrimony previous to our sailing what will be the
consequence in regard to our arrangements?
646
25th October 1819
Sir,
Feeling the greatest reluctance in addressing you
lest I should be considered too troublesome, I beg to
inform you that I am ready to advance my deposit as
required by your letter of the 21st inst. But I find
that two of my party will not be forthcoming according
to agreement. I am consequently at a loss how to
redress myself, whether from the defaulters or whether
I may be allowed to replace them: as I have a choice
of persons whom I consider far preferable to the
defaulters in point of mechanical abilities &c.
Permit me Sir to ask one word of instruction relative
to the above affair, which if you will be pleased to
grant me will greatly relieve the anxiety of
Your very obliged and humble servant
Thomas ROWLES
By your leave I will call at the office daily till I
receive your pleasure
Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
This thread:
| [ZA-IB] Settler Correspondence - Thomas ROWLES by Sue Mackay <> |