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 Capein1820.
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. Approximately 5,000 Settlers arrived in the Cape in around 60 different parties between April and June 1820. The Settlers were granted farms and given equipment, but their lack of agricultural experience led many of them to withdraw to settlements like Grahamstown, East London and Port Elizabeth, where they typically became tradesmen.
