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Newspaper Abstracts - Smuggling

Transcribed by Michael Coomber, graciously provided to the Kent OPC for display.  Contributors of additional abstracts are noted by their initials placed in square brackets at the end of the source citation.

      Whereas on the 8th of the last month at night, some of the Riding Officers of the Customs being on their duty in Hyth [sic] District on the coast of Kent, were assaulted by 12 persons unknown, supposed to be Romney Marsh Owlers, and one of the said Officer's servants was so desperately beaten that he died thereof in a few days after, as hath been found by the Coroner's Inquest:

      For the better discovery of the murderers, Her Majesty is graciously pleased to promise Her most gracious pardon to any one of the persons concerned in this fact, who will discover any two or more of his accomplices, so as they may be apprehended, and prosecuted according to law.  And as a further encouragement, a reward of one hundred pounds will be given to such person, or any other whatever making such discovery, to be paid upon conviction of the offenders.  DARTMOUTH.

Source:  London Gazette Issue 5020 published on the 19 June 1712, p. 2.[SDY]

Source:  London Evening Post ( London, England ), April 20, 1738; Issue 1628.

      Last Monday the noted Tom CHANCY, alias BRINDLE TOM, reckon'd the oldest Smuggler in the County of Kent, was taken up by special Warrant at Dartford, being charg'd with wounding several Officers, and others of his Majesty's Subjects, last May at Rochester, in Company with about 200 other Smugglers, who came with Fire-Arms, and other offensive Weapons, to retake some Run Goods which had been seiz'd by some Officers of the Customs:  He was conducted under a strong Guard to the County Gaol.

Source:  London Evening Post ( London, England ), Thursday, November 22, 1744; Issue 2660.

Source:  General Evening Post ( London, England ), Saturday, July 25, 1747; Issue 2152.

      By a Vessel arriv'd from Dunkirk we have Advice, that on Friday the second Instant died there, of the Small-Pox, Jeremiah CURTIS, alias William POLLARD, an outlaw'd Smuggler, formerly of Hawkhurst in Kent;  who some Years since broke out of Newgate with one CROSBY, committed to that Gaol for Forgery, and the two Bibies, who were there for robbing the Mail.

Source:  London Evening Post ( London, England ), Thursday, February 8, 1753; Issue 3945.

Source:  London Gazette (London, England), Issue 11670 published on the 28 May 1776, p. 2. [SDY]

      Tuesday last was committed to the county gaol at MAIDSTONE, by the Magistrates at MARGATE, John RAMSAY, alias BUFFINGTON, and Thomas Hay WEBSTER, both of CANTERBURY, charged on the oaths of Washington CARR and others, of being concerned in the late smuggling affray at Marsh Bay, in Thanet.  RAMSAY was committed as a principal, and WEBSTER(S) as an accessory, for assisting and concealing the offenders.  Several persons, of whom better conduct might have been expected, are said to have contributed to the concealment of some of the smugglers, and that their names have been forwarded to the Government.

Source:  The Morning Chronicle, Monday, October 15th 1821; Issue 16377.

Source:  Gazette Issue 18184 published on the 15 October 1825, p. 4.[SDY]

Source:  The Pall Mall Gazette ( London, England ), Saturday, January 12, 1895; Issue 9299.