Hi Jackie
I can't help directly I'm afraid, but amongst the settler correspondence I have transcribed (which is all at
www.genealogyworld.net) is a letter written in 1821 from Richard Calringbould of Deal, who went out in Gurney's Party. This says:
Deal, 17 March 1821
My Lord
Having been permitted by His Excellency Governor DONKIN to return to this country for the purpose of procuring various articles necessary for our establishment at Algoa Bay, we seize the first moment of our arrival for the purpose of transmitting the inclosed letter from our party detailing our views and wishes and humbly soliciting the aid of your Lordship towards carrying them into effect by granting us a passage for ourselves, and the articles we may purchase, to the Cape of Good Hope in any of His Majestys Store Ships or Vessels of War bound to that Colony. The inclosed letter fully developing our objects, we forbear to trouble your Lordship at greater length, than to add our most humble but earnest request that your Lordship will be pleased to comply therewith, but the benefit we have already received at your Lordships hands from the commencement of our undertaking and the favorable and indeed friendly reception we have experienced from the Officers of Government at the Colony from the moment of our debarkation call for the most grateful acknowledgement, and we now beg leave most respectfully, but most sincerely, to offer them, on behalf of ourselves and our whole party.
We left Algoa Bay on the 18 December last at which time our own Establishment and all in the Vicinity were progressing beyond our most sanguine expectations, we had previously taken a journey of 7 days up the Country, which we found indescribably delightful & the New Settlers quite as comfortable as from their recent location could be expected. Holding ourselves at the command of your Lordship we have the honor to be with the greatest respect & deference, My Lord
Your Lordship's most obliged & obedient servants
Richard CLARINGBOULD
John DARBY
at Mr Edward DARBYS
Deal
It may be that Thomas Ratcliffe returned in a similar manner and then was either not granted a passage back or heard about the terrible droughts and crop failures that had hit the Cape and decided to remain. Quite a few of the settlers did return, but I am afraid I have no information on them.
Sue