1820 British Settler

Richard Watson 18, labourer, was a member of Gurney's Party of 24 Settlers on the Settler Ship Weymouth.

Party originated from Kent.

• Departure 7 January 1820
  
• Arrival Table Bay, Cape Town - 16 April 1820
  
• Final Port - Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth 15 May 1820
  

Area Allocated to the Party : Zwartkops River, near Port Elizabeth - named their location New Deal.

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Richard Watson's occupation - "Surf Man" - was given in the baptism record of his daughter, Jemima Ann Watson.

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NOTE from Craig Sheldon: "Richard Watson's dates of birth and death come from Pamela Barnes book Through The Chequered Path: The Story of William Howard's Party of 1820 Settlers.

"Pamela does describe Richard as a "fellow-settler", though fails to elaborate; but it does seem possible that he is the same man as in Gurney's Party."

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Richard Watson arrived in 1820 onboard the Weymouth with Gurney's Party; he was aged 19 and a labourer. Source: 1820Settlers.com and M.D. Nash's The Settler's Handbook

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Richard Watson's date of death - 29 Dec. 1844 - from a request by his widow, Mary Ann Howard, b3, to be granted a plot of land in Port Elizabeth:

"Memorialist is Mary Ann Watson, widow of the late Richard Watson who departed this life in the service of Her Majesty's Colonial Government on the 29th December last, having been employed in the Port Office Boat, during a period of 17 years. First under Capt. Evatt, 2nd under Capt. Wallace, 3rd Capt. Francis and lastly Capt. Dunsterville.

"References to Richard's 17 years service:....."He....always conducted himself in a very proper and efficient manner and reccommend memorialist's petition". Capt. Francis"

Source: Depot: KAB; Source: LG; Vol. No.: 556; Ref.: 1053