The 1820 Settlers were several groups or parties of white, British colonists settled by the British government and the Cape authorities in the South African Eastern Cape in 1820.

The Settlers were encouraged to settle in an attempt by the Cape government to close, consolidate and defend the eastern frontier against the neighbouring Xhosa peoples, and to provide a boost to the English-speaking population. It was one of the largest stages of British settlement in Africa, forming the Anglo-African cultural hotspot Settler Country, and thus a milestone in the forming of the Anglo-African people.

Approximately 5,000 Settlers arrived in the Cape in around 60 different parties between April and June 1820. The Settlers were granted farms near the village of Bathurst and given equipment, but their lack of agricultural experience led many of them to abandon agriculture and withdraw to Bathurst and other settlements like Grahamstown, East London and Port Elizabeth, where they typically became tradesmen.

They were commemorated by the Monument in 1974, a national symbol of the Anglo-African people. It is comparable to the Afrikaner Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria in 1881 or the USA's Gettysberg.

Notable 1820 Settlers

• Henry Hare Dugmore
• Richard Gush
• Thomas Pringle

See also

• Anglo-African
• Monument in 1974

References

• Mitford-Barberton, I., 1968. Some Frontier Families, Cape Town: Human & Rousseau
• Rosenthal, E., 1978. Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: Juta & Co.

External links

• Grahamstown Foundation and 1820 Settlers National Monument
• 1820 Settlers Association

British Empire | History of South Africa