TO SOUTH AFRICA 1820 |
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The 1820 Settlers
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Part 4 The journey was to start from Liverpool, on the Albury. A letter from Thomas Calton to E.S.Godfrey
It would appear that conditions were not favourable for sailing, as the Albury was still in port when Thomas Calton wrote another letter (whilst on board) to E.S.Godfrey on 10th February 1820.
The next letter is written by George Dennison to E. S. Godfrey on 13th February whilst at sea, the day that ship left port. In this letter Dennison reports the deaths of Henry Hartley (age 4) the youngest son of Thomas and Sarah Hartley, and also of John Cross, the infant child of John and Mary Cross. Dennison supposes that their deaths "have been occasioned by being so long in this unhealthy River".
There were heavy seas and gales off the coat of Wales, until the 18th, when the weather became more favourable.
The next letter is written on 14th March by Thomas Calton. The letter is hurriedly written, as he describes that two vessels have been sighted bound to England. Apparently, ships passed close to each other in order to exchange mail etc. He reports that they are now at longitude 22, nearly calm. and the temperature at 84 degrees (f) during the day, and not less than 82 degrees at night. He also reports that all the people are in good health. He is generally happy with the conduct of the settlers, but he does report: "but there are a few I must say that do not conduct themselves here as they ought, particularly Nelson of Southwell who is determined to disobay all orders from the Agent & self. Mr Mudge threatens to report him to the governor. If so he will loose his land. Some there are whom I find have proved themselves greater eaters than workers, so I am affraid will prove the same at the Cape. These are the F.W.K. I must sincerely beg and pray you to send no more here". It is fairly obvious that Calton considers that the framework knitters are nothing but lazy trouble makers ! He continues in his letter to recommend that any future emigrants should include farming people from the country areas, together with their servants. Calton also describes that the settlers in steerage are lying four to six in a bed, and even that there are two men with their wives in the same bed, and notes "I wonder no mistakes are made". He also suggests that any future sailing are made from Hull rather than Liverpool, to avoid the expense of boats to and from the ship anchored in the middle of the River Mersey. Worthy of mention here, if only for those reading this who are tracing their genealogy, Calton asks of Godfrey: "Pray send some account of my family to the Rev. Mr. Lessitter of Collingham and request him to write to my Brother etc. Will thank to send to Mr. Streetson the printer some short acct. of us for the information of all friends".
It would appear from a letter of Dennison's (from which the above is extracted), that the ship and people were placed into quarantine for a period before being allowed to disembark.
In a letter dated May 1st, written at Simmons Bay, Calton reports to E. S. Godfrey that on March 14th John Sykes was taken ill, and died on March 20th. His widow, Elizabeth Sykes had decided to return home to Nottingham as she felt incapable of cultivating her own land. She was left at Simmons Town to be sent home at the first opportunity. Calton reports that he also wrote a letter to Sykes' brother Thomas Sykes in Manchester, via the ship Nestor. In the same letter, Calton reports that there had been severe problems with Serjt. Dennison's conduct aboard ship in attempting to undermine Calton's authority and cause problems amongst the passengers. Dennison had made the settlers believe that Calton intended to keep stores and supplies for himself upon arrival at the colony, rather than equally distributing them.
George Dennison wrote a long letter to E. J. Godfrey on 8th May (whilst still on board - and with the ship in quarantine), effectively defending himself from Calton's attack on his character. In it he criticises Calton's behaviour, and has the letter witnessed by Thomas Hartley (blacksmith) and Henry Holland (stonemason), both of Mansfield.
Calton also reported that the Mania frigate had a few days earlier, sent a small boat with crew, ( two midshipmen, the schoolmaster and four sailors) to find a landing place in Sunday River. The surf was too great to allow a landing, and the boat was overturned and one of the midshipmen and three sailors were lost. Next: The Settlement Copyright ©1997 Parish Chest Ltd |