Selected ‘Custom House’ letters (1718-1833)

Relating to various events in and around Appledore

Transcribed by David Carter 2023

National Archives ref: CUST 69

[Spelling remains verbatim. Implied letters in square brackets, paragraphs, and punctuation added by the transcriber.
Many words were abbreviated so missing letters have been added in square brackets.]

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Catalogue entries for documents contained here:
Arranged in chronological order, not catalogue order.

Customs Outport Records: Appledore, Bideford, Barnstaple.

Board to collector
Date:    1717 June 27 - 1728 Aug. 20
Reference:    CUST 69/91
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259700

Board to collector
Date:    1728 Sept. 26 - 1746 May 31
Reference:    CUST 69/92
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259701

Collector to board
Date:    1751 May 13 - 1759 Jan 19
Reference:    CUST 69/62
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259671

Board to collector
Date:    1756 Dec. 7 - 1764 July 3
Reference:    CUST 69/94
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259703

Collector to board
Date:    1759 Jan. 19 - 1764 July 31
Reference:    CUST 69/63
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259672

Board to collector
Date:    1769 Oct. 12 - 1776 Sept. 26
Reference:    CUST 69/96
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259705

Collector to board
Date:    1776 Sept. 13 - 1781 May 12
Reference:    CUST 69/66
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259675

Collector to board
Date:    1778 Jan. 3 - 1790 Oct. 4
Reference:    CUST 69/169
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259778

Board to collector
Date:    1788 Sept. 11 - 1793 Feb. 9
Reference:    CUST 69/99
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259708

Collector to board
Date:    1790 Oct. 8 - 1801 Oct. 8
Reference:    CUST 69/170
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259779

Collector to board
Date:    1793 July 18 - 1802 June 3
Reference:    CUST 69/70
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259679

Board to collector
Date:    1801 July 9 - 1805 Feb. 26
Reference:    CUST 69/102
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259711

Collector to board
Date:    1802 July 10 - 1804 Sept. 3
Reference:    CUST 69/71
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259680

Collector to board
Date:    1802 Sept. 4 - 1806 June 6
Reference:    CUST 69/72
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259681

Collector to board
Date:    1831 Sept. 12 - 1834 Aug. 4
Reference:    CUST 69/85
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2259694

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Transcribers Notes:

The Customs Outport Books are a copy record of correspondence between Local Ports and the Customs Board in London, and vice-versa. They also contain correspondence with merchants and staff, and with general administration issues, including staff changes and new directives to be followed. The series of volumes for the south-west ports covers a period from 1717 to 1934 and runs to 237 volumes, so they contain a wealth of (sometimes tedious) detail about the day to day running of local customs offices.

The items transcribed here, are a very small part of this collection, and have been selected because they relate to various interesting activities in and around Appledore.

Some definitions of terms used in these documents, appears at the end of this transcript.

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Index of Surnames:

Most of the people named in these documents, were not local to the area. They were Customs Officers in London, or visiting Sea Captains, and even the local Customs Officers were not hired from local men, in order to prevent conflicts of interest between them, and the local community. Nevertheless, some local names do appear.

Abbott - 1805
Atchison - 1762, 63, 78, 1800
Avery - 1762
Badcock - 1805
Bankes, Banks - 1769
Banren? - 1805
Barrow - 1778
Barwick - 1805
Bavans, Bavins, Beavans - 1800
Bawden - 1763
Baylis - 1732, 35
Bayntun - 1752
Beara - 1805
Bedford - 1832
Benson - 1732, 35, 61
Berkley - 1805
Berry - 1769
Bickerton - 1780
Blackmore - 1762
Boone - 1804
Bremridge - 1804
Brownall - 1765
Bullen - 1804
Canking - 1805
Carder - 1762
Chappell - 1761, 78
Chichester - 1805
Chillcott - 1761, 62
Clark - 1805
Clevland - 1805
Collack - 1790
Collins - 1762
Cooper - 1805
Corbett - 1735
Crockford - 1805
Cudlipp - 1805
Davie - 1763
Davis - 1762
Day - 1762, 78
Deane - 1762, 63
Dillon - 1805
Doidge - 1805
Dudley - 1718
Edwards - 1752
Edwards - 1805
Elstone - 1762
Evelyn - 1729, 32, 35
Fairfax - 1729, 32, 35
Ferran - 1805
Ferris - 1805
Fisher - 1762, 78, 1805
Fishley - 1805
Ford - 1762, 63
Foster - 1781
Fraine - 1761
Freemantle - 1765
Frewin - 1804
Fry - 1805
Furze - 1805
Gibbs - 1805
Grant - 1790, 1804
Gregory - 1752, 62
Grible - 1762
Hackett - 1804
Hall, Halls - 1762, 63
Hancorne - 1805
Haother - 1763
Harris - 1761, 62, 63, 1805
Hartnoll - 1832
Harvey - 1832
Hawkin - 1762
Heather - 1763
Hicks - 1805
Hiews - 1805
Hill - 1729
Hinks - 1805
Hoare - 1762
Hogg - 1732, 63, 67, 69, 78, 1805
Hooper - 1769, 1800
Hopkins - 1769
Horely - 1762
Hume - 1801, 05
Hutson - 1804, 05
Inglefield - 1780
Jans - 1732, 81
Jeffreys - 1769
Jenns - 1832
Jerrard - 1805
Johns - 1805
Jones - 1805
Kenney - 1762
King - 1805
Landman - 1805
Lang - 1762, 1805
Langdon - 1790
Larkin - 1763
Lewis - 1805
Ley - 1765
Litchfield - 1765
Lobbett - 1805
Lockyer - 1752
Luttrell - 1804
Mackenzie - 1805
Marks - 1805
Marshall - 1805
Mathews, Matthews - 1804, 05
Mayne - 1752
McGrane - 1780
Metherall - 1778
Methold - 1769
Morris - 1769
Morrow - 1752
Moule - 1762, 63, 78, 1804
Munroe - 1804
Musgrave - 1769
Needs - 1805
Newell - 1729
Nicholls - 1761
Oram - 1778, 1800, 04
Palmer - 1762
Parker - 1765
Parminter - 1732, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 69
Parnall - 1790
Peake - 1767
Peers - 1718, 32, 35
Penney - 1833
Perryman - 1804
Peters - 1761
Pitt, PItts - 1800, 05
Price - 1762
Pultney - 1718
Randall - 1805
Rawle - 1762
Rees - 1763
Reil - 1778
Richards - 1762, 1805
Roberts - 1762
Roe - 1804
Runwa - 1762
Sarles - 1778
Saunders - 1778
Sciance - 1762, 63
Scott - 1805
Sharp - 1801
Simon - 1761
Slade - 1832
Sloly - 1762
Smith - 1763, 69
Spilsbury - 1778
Stanley – 1729, 61
Swaine - 1752
Swainson - 1805
Sweetman - 1804
Thorne - 1765, 67
Townshend - 1761
Trapnell - 1805
Tucker - 1761, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 78
Tulk - 1769
Twiddy - 1805
Tyeth - 1778
Tyrell - 1832
Veal, Veale - 1752
Vine - 1805
Wackrill - 1762, 63
Walker - 1718, 32
Walters - 1805
Webber - 1805
Whithair - 1762, 69
Wickey - 1762, 63, 78
Wilkinson - 1805
Williams - 1805
Willshire - 1769
Wood - 1762, 63
Woollacott - 1833
Wren - 1833
Young - 1729

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Index of Ships:

Abeona - 1790
Agenoria - 1805
Ann - 1779
Beaver - 1781
Betsey, Betsy - 1804, 05
Boston - 1752
Dart - 1805
Dispatch - 1752, 63
Dolphin - 1805
Dover - 1801
Elizabeth - 1805
Endeavour - 1801
Favourite - 1805
Fox - 1805
Heed - 1805
Hope - 1805
Joanna - 1732
Johanna & Mary - 1735
Juffrow Maria - 1778
Little Henry - 1766
Lively - 1780
Lottery - 1805
Mary Ann - 1805
Nightingale - 1767
Northam - 1767
Prosperous Mary - 1780
Rachel - 1729
Sally - 1769
Sarah & Eliza - 1833
Sea Nympt - 1779
Shark - 1804 - 1805
Steed - 1805
Swallow - 1780
Tenby Packet - 1805
Three Brothers - 1762
Two Elizabeths - 1805
Union - 1805
Victoria - 1832
Vine - 1735
William - 1805

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Transcripts:

1718 July 19
Custom house, London, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
Enclosed we send you extract of a letter from the Collector of Swanzey, dated the 14th inst[ant] by which it appears that some French vessels are hovering on your coast, where they lye for opportunitys to put their brandy into vessels which are employed in carrying lyme stones to your, and other ports. And you are to cause such vessels to be diligently searched giveing all the officers directions to be carefull in preventing fraud of that kind.
We are, your loving friends,
T. Walker
J. Pultney
Charles Peers
M. Dudley
(ref: CUST 69/91, entry #44)

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1729 Oct 14
From Richard Newell, Barnstaple, to Custom house Barnstaple.
Honourable Sirs,
Last Thursday Mr Young the Tide-survey[o]r at Appledore made a seizure on board our ship Rachel, of about nineteen or twenty gallons of rum, which I humbly presume y[ou]r hon[our]s will be pleased to allow to be restored, the ship came from Placentia in N[ew]foundl[an]d and had on board 112 passengers, besides our own w[hi]ch was sixteen, the whole being one hund[re]d and twenty eight in number. She had three weeks passage w[hi]ch was very expeditious, had they continued longer at sea, the small q[uantit]y of rum must have of necessity been soon consumed, and should officers be allowed to prevent in bringing on shore such a small q[uanti]ty as above mentioned, and the passage prove longer than expected, our people must perish for want. Therefore hope your hon[our]s will send an order to Mr Young for delivery, and am Sirs your very obedient servant,
Richard Newell.
(ref: CUST 69/92)

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1729 Nov 11:
Custom house London, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
In answer to your letter of 3rd inst, relating to two small casks of rum seized on board the ship Rachel from Newfoundland by the Tide-survey[or] of your port, which were for the use of passengers & ships crew – we agree to your admitting the said rum to an entry.
We are your loving friends,
J Evelyn
J Stanley
B Fairfax
John Hill
(ref: CUST 69/92, entry #546)

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1732 Aug 03
Custom house London, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
Mr John Benson having by his letter of the 29th ult[im]o applied to us relating to the difficiency of a piell of salt imported by him at your port, from the time of importation to the exportation occasioned by a great rain which overflowing the leads over the cellar, fell into & destroyed the same. Inclosed we send you copy of the said letter, and you are to examine and report a true state of the case to us with your opinion.
We are your loving friends,
John Hill
T Walker
Jo Evelyn
Rob[er]t Baylis
(ref: CUST 69/92)

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1732 July 28
Letter from John Benson at Northam near Bideford, to Custom house Barnstaple.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
I having imported 1346 bushells Trenile(?) salt on the 23rd August 1731 & cellared the same at Appledore in the port of Barnstaple, under the keys of the proper off[ice]rs. W[hi]ch salt upon exportation falling short of its q[uanti]ty imported 76 bush[el]ls, occasioned by a great rain w[hi]ch overflowing the leads over the celler, fell into & destroyed the same deficient salt; as it appeared to the offi[ce]rs who attended the exportation of the salt, and I being ready to make oath that none of the salt was taken out of the cellar by any fraudulent means.
I beg y[ou]r honours will give orders to the coll[ecto]r of the Port of Barnstaple upon examining into the truth of the matter, to allow me the dutys of the same w[hi]ch he now demands & says he can’t excuse without your directions w[hi]ch I request y[ou]r Hon[our]s to forward to the said Coll[ecto]r.
I am your Hon[ou]rs most hum[ble] serv[an]t.
Jno Benson.
(ref: CUST 69/92)

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1732 Sep 01
Customhouse London, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
We received your letter of the 25th ult[im]o in answer to the memorial of Mr Benson concerning the deficiency of a parcell of salt which he alleges has wasted by lying in the cellars. And having communicated the same to the Comm[issione]rs of Salt, you are to follow such directions as you shall receive from that Board.
We are your loving friends,
B. Fairfax
H. ~?~
C. Peers
R Baylis
(ref: CUST 69/92, entry #679)

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1732 Oct 07
Custom House London, to Collector & Comptroller of Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
We received your letter of the 26th ult[im]o inclosing one ~?~ Mr Richard Parminter Land[ing]w[aite]r at Appledore, setting forth that he has ~?~ a cargoe of salt on board the Joanna, Jeremy Hogg mas[te]r, for lying in ~?~ above twenty days without entry. And having referred the same to our ~?~ inclosed, we send you copy of his report. And you are agreeable to ~?~ opinion to order some other officer to seize the said salt, that Mr ~?~ may be an evidence in this cause. And you are to prosecute ~?~ salt to condemnation in the Exchequer, likewise the brandy on ~?~ the vessel be under forty tons, corresponding with our Sollicitor ~?~ the Register of Seizures. And when the said salt is condemned ~?~ said Parminter (if he has a Comm[issio]n from the Salt Board, may ~?~ for the twenty pounds penalty and double the value of the salt ~?~ your proceedings to us.
We are, your loving friends, 
J. Evelyn
B. Fairfax
R Baylis
C. Peers
(ref: CUST 69/92, entry #684 – some words are lost in the tightly-bound margin)

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1732 Oct 07
To Collector & Comptroller of Customs at Barnstaple.
I think the salt is forfeited, but as Mr Parminter may be a ~?~ witness, I think some other off[ice]r should seize it. The brandy ~?~ be forfeited if the ship doth not exceed 40 tons. If Mr Parminter hath any power to act as a Off[ice]r of the Salt, he may prosecute the mas[te]r Jerr Hogg for the £20 penalty by the Act Queen Anne ~?~ 21, after condemnation of the sale, the mas[te]r may also be prosecuted for the double value by the same Act, which is humbly subm~?~.
R. Wyatt, Oct 3, 1732
(ref: CUST 69/92, entry #684 – some words are lost in the tightly-bound margin)

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1732 Oct 17
Custom house London, To the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen, 
We rec[eive]d your letter of the 6th inst[an]t acquainting Mr Parminter land[ing]w[aite]r at Appledore has suffered the ship Joanna ~?~ her cargoe of sale, which were under seizure by him, to sail away to Corke in Ireland, and for answer, you are to suspend the s[ai]d P~?~ and report to us why he did not take away the sails or rudder, or secure the ship from proceeding on her voyage, and at the same time, report what offi[cer]s he called to his assistance to prevent the ships sailing, for our further directions.
We are, your loving friends,
T. Walker
J. Evelyn
B. Fairfax
(ref: CUST 69/92, entry #685 – some words are lost in the tightly-bound margin)

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1732 Nov 16
From Custom house London, To the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
Having had under consideration the rep[or]t of Mr J’ans your ~?~ Gen[era]l, dated 23rd ult[im]o relating to Mr Parminter the waiter & search[e]r at Appledore, who is under suspicion for letting the ship Johanna go out of Port after he ~?~ seized her cargo of salt, we are satisfied with his allegations, and you are to restore the said Parminter to his duty without loss of pay.
We are, your loving friends,
B. Fairfax
J. Stanley
Jo. Evelyn
Rob[er]t Baylis
(ref: CUST 69/92, entry #688 – some words are lost in the tightly-bound margin)

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1735 Nov 13:
From Custom house, London, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
We have read your letter of the 8th inst[ant] acquainting us that Mr Benson, a merchant at Appledore, having a vessel called the Vine, lately arrived from Leghorne, lying at Appledore with 27 ~?~ olive oil has applied to you for leave to land the said oil at his own Key, which you inform us you are of opinion will be of se~?~ to the revenue for the reasons you have given. And it being ~?~ directed by the act of Frauds 14: Car[olus] 2nd, that all goods shall be landed at the lawful Keys you are to take care the said oil be discharged there accordingly – and we esteem you blameable for interceding for the merch[an]t to break thro[ugh] the directions of that law.
We are your loving friends,
R Baylis
J. Evelyn
R. Corbett
B. Fairfax
(ref: CUST 69/92, entry #800 – some words are lost in the tightly-bound margin)

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1735 Dec 04
From Custom house, London, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
We received your letter of the 30th ult[im]o acquainting us that the Johanna and Mary of Bristol, bound to Guinea was lately stranded on your coast, and that you had salved part of the cargo. We direct you and the rest of the officers at your port to give all possible assistance in salving and securing the goods for the King and the merch[an]ts taking care that no embezzlem[en]ts be made and that the Crown be put to no charge for warehouse room. Officers attendance or otherwise observing the direction of the Acts 12 Ann & 5 George I relating to stranded goods, and reporting to us your proceeding.
We are your loving friends,
R. Corbett
Rob[er]t Baylis
J Evelyn
& Peers
(ref: CUST 69/92)

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1752 July 22
To Tho[ma]s Veale, Com[mande]r of his Majesty’s sloop Dispatch at Appledore in the Port of Barnstaple.
Sir, 
We rec[eive]d yours of this date for ans[we]r as there is a standing order for the Hon[oura]ble Board to send all services made at Appledore in the Port of Barnstaple to the Wareho[use] here. We advise you to send up the seizure you mention to this wareho[use] by the very first opportunity.
We are of opinion that the service of the vessel depends on her tonnage, more of which you shall hear when we have the pleasure of seeing you.
We are, Sirs, your very h[um]ble serv[ant]s,
Tho[ma]s Edwards, p[er] Coll[ector].
Jno Gregory
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1752 July 22
From Custom ho[use] Barnstaple, to Mr Swayne.
Sir, 
We rec[eive]d yours of this date for ans[we]re as this seizure was made at Appledore in this Port, the Rum &c, must be brought to this Wareho[use] pursuant to the Com[issioner]s order, and as we apprehend the vessel is also forfeited, she should not be rem[aine?]d out of the Port, which you’l take care to observe. Just before we rec[eive]d your’s, we rec[eive]d a letter from Capt Veale acquainting us of the seizure, & gave him for ans[we]r, as the seizure was made at Appledore in this Port, it must be brought to the wareho[us]e here, there being an order from the Com[issioner]s of the Customs w[hi]ch directs it.
As to the dispute between you & Capt Veal, our hon[oura]ble Mas[te]rs must decide, and that the circumstances may be set forth in a true light, it may p[er]haps be necessary to take affidavits &c.
The Coll[ector] is now absent, but we believe he will be with you tomorrow.
We are, Sir, y[ou]r h[um]ble serv[ants].
Tho[ma]s Edwards, p[er] Coll[ector]
Jno Gregory.
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1752 July 24
From Custom ho[use] Barnstaple.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs, 
We think it our duty to inform you that yesterday, was brought to the warehouse here by a midshipman belonging to the Dispatch Sloop of War lying in this Port, by order of his Captain Mr Ja[me]s Veal, 13 anchors cont[ainin]g 114 gallons Rum, which was seized the 21st inst[an]t at Appledore in this Port, on board the Boston Sloop, Tho[ma]s Morrow mas[te]r from Millford laden with culm.
The sloop we find is also seized being suppose[e]d to be under tunnage.
There was also seized on board her, a jar and nine bottles of rum & six pieces of linen, & two pieces lawn.
We find there is a dispute between Capt. Veale & Mr Swayne to whom these seizures belong, both claiming. We therefore inclos[e]d transmitt your Honours their letters relating thereto, which contains all the circumstances we at present can get. We should therefore be glad of your Hon[our]s directions for examining into the affair on oath, so that we may be enabled to give your Houours a true and perfect account of all the circumstances thereof, as letters & verbal declarations cannot so well be depended on.
We are, hon[oura]ble Sirs, your most dutiful & obed[ien]t humble servants,
H Bayntun
Jno Gregory
P.S. The Coll[ecto]r was informed yesterday that they had also seiz[e]d or stopt the cargo of culm, but at the same is sold & application made to discharge it, we beg you[r] honours will inform us whither the same is forfeited or not.
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1752 July 22
[From] Dispatch Sloop, Appledore.
Sirs,
I have sent the messenger on purpose with this to acquaint you that on the entrance of a small sloop in the harbour last night, I sent an off[ice]r on board with one of my deputation men, to examine & rummage the sloop that came from Milford laden with culm (Ward, master). From my officers representation, it rise in me a jealousy that some goods were in the cargo of culm, upon which this morning I sent Mr Mayne with some of my crew to have her nicely rummaged, soon after the Tidesurveyor sent the boatmen, and in the rummage found thirteen anchors of rum, which are now under the care of my off[icer]s and the boatman.
I have also seized the vessel or sloop here till I have the direction of the Board, as this was done in your port, I should be glad to know if you think it advisable to send the rum to the Customhouse in my boat tomorrow, or any other Kings warehouse.
I am, Gent[leme]n your most humble serv[an]t.
I desire you’l favour me with a line,
T. Veale
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1752 July 27
To Capt. Veal.
Sir,
We have this day a letter from Mr Lockyer wherein he informs us, that you verbally declared you have not seized the culm on board the Boston, and that you thought it a point of good manners to have answered your letter. We assure you Sir, we never received but one letter from you which we answered by the same hand, and therefore are surprised at what Geo Lockyer writes.
Assuring you we shall at all times be ready to assist you in everything in our power, we have writ the Hon[oura]ble Board in respect of this seizure, and have represented all the circumstances that came to our knowledge, and when we have an answer shall inform you, being Sir, your very humble servant.
H.B.
J.G.
P.S. As you make no claim to the cargo of culm, we beg you’l give it under hand as the Officers cannot otherwise execute our warr[an]t for the der[??]s.
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1751 July 28
[From] Custom ho[use] Barnstaple.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
Our Tidesurveyor at Appledore having acq[uainte]d that he has rec[eive]d information of large quantitys of tea, arrach and other goods, having been purchased out of a Dutch East India Man lately put into Milford, and as small vessells belonging to these ports frequently go there and to Tenby for culm, and as some of these goods may probably be brought in these vessells and concealed under the culm, out of the reach of spits. We are humbly of opinion it would be of service in this int[er]im to board Tidesmen on all vessells coming from Milford or Tenby, it being we conceive the only means of detecting then. We therefore beg your Honours directions herein, and whether we may give orders for put[t]ing Tidesmen on board at the charge of the Crown, or not.
We are, Hon[oura]ble Sirs, humble servants,
H. Bayntun
Jno Gregory
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1752 Aug 06
To the Coll[ector] of Ilfracombe.
Inclos[e]d you have a list of what wool bonds are standing out for ships belonging to your Port, we desire you’l call on the persons bound on the Ex~?~ &c & acq[uain]t [th]em unless the said bonds are forthwith disch[arge]d by delivering up their lycence &c, the bonds will be put in suit, we desire you’l acquaint us with their ans[we]r, and are, Sir, your h[onoura]ble serv[ant]s,
H. Bayntun
Jno Gregory
The list annexed to the wooll book.
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1752 Jun 05
To the Meters at Appledore.
Gent,
Complaint having been made that coals at Appledore are not always regularly measur[e]d by the bushels, but sometimes by baggs, contrary to law and practice. We therefore blame you for suffering such illegal practices, and direct that no coals or culm are for the future disch[arge]d by baggs or any other measure on any pretence, but by the usual bushells or measures, and that such measures are constantly tried & adjust[e]d by the stand[ar]d, certifying to us their condition the first week in every month, calling the Survey[or] to your assistance, agreeable to the Com[~?~]ts sundry orders, & over repeat[e]d direct[ion]s thereon, communicating this letter to the Tidesurvey[o]r who has orders to see the bush[el]ls tried.
We are, &c,
H.B.
J.G.
(ref: CUST 69/62)

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1761 Jan 06
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Commissioners of Customs, London.
We humbly beg leave to acquaint your Honours that a Warehouse at Appledore in this port is highly necessary for the Tide-surveyor & other Officers to lodge the seizures which they make, till an opportunity serves to bring the same to the Warehouse here (and also for putting the materials belonging to the Kings Boat there).
And as there is no such place there at present by means of the Collector of Bideford’s refusing to pay the rent for the same, as usual alleging, as the Tide-surveyor informs us, that as the seizures are brought to his Majestys Warehouse in this town, we should pay the rent of the Wareho[use] in Appledore.
We have spoke with one Thomas Nicholls of Appledore who will let a very convenient house for that purpose for fifty shillings per annum. We humbly apprehend it will be for the interes[t] of the Revenue to take the said house for that purpose, all which we humbly beg your Hon[ou]rs directions for our government.
We are your most dutifull & most obed[ient] h[um]ble serv[an]ts,
Paul Tucker
George Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1761 Jan 14
From Edward Stanley at Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Comm[issioner]s of the Customs, London, 19 Dec 1760.
I humbly beg leave to take the liberty of troubling your Honours relating to a bill for repairs & necessarys for the King’s boat at Appledore, amounting to £2.10s.3d, done in the year 1757, the time when Mr Fraine was Collector of this Port, having applied to him & to the present Collector (Mr Paul Tucker) for the payment of the same, they both inform me I cannot be paid without your Honours directions, & as I have a large family & in low circumstances, I humbly beg that your Honours wo[ul]d be pleased to give directions for payment thereof to, Hon[oura]ble Sirs, yours &c,
John Peters, Barnstaple, 19 Dec 1760.
1761 Jan 14: The Coll[ecto]r & Comp[trolle]r to report returning the paper by order of the Commissioners.
Edward Stanley.
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1761 Feb 12
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ioner]s of the Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
The Officers to whom annual allowances are made by incidents, have been paid their respective allowances to Christmas last, pursuant to your Honours order of the 19th of July 1760.
And we humbly report that the Collector for his allowance of £10 p[er] annum, keeps a horse and hath frequently visited Instow Key and Appledore & several other creeks and harbours belonging to this port, at a considerable distance from this Customhouse to see the business of the customs regularly carried on, and to prevent any fraud that might be attempted, either by small smuggling vessels on the coast or otherwise.
That Mr Oliver Harris, act[in]g surveyor for his allowance of £10 p[er] annum keeps a horse and hath performed his duty by attending the business at Appledore &c, a considerable distance from Barnstaple where he resides.
That Rob[er]t Chillcott for his allowance of £20 p[er] annum hath constantly attended the Surveyor at Landwaiters at Instow Key (where he resides) and hath given his attendance at this Key in weighin[g] foreign &c, as well as coast goods inward, and hath performed the duty of a weigher, for which his allowance is made.
That for the reasons before mentioned, we humbly conceive it will be for the interest of the Revenue to continue the said allowances which is humbly submitted, by your Honours most dutifull & most obed[ien]t humble servants,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1761 Feb 27
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ioner]s of the Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Honours that on the Tidesurveyor’s boarding a vessell at Appledore Pool, another vessel suddenly falling a longside at the same time, crushed the Kings Boat in such a manner as to render it at present unfitt for service. And having had the boat view[e]d by two skilfull shipwrights, have inclosed transmitted an estimate of the charges for repairing the same, amounting to two pounds eighteen shillings and six pence [£2.18s.2d].
Also a bill of Thomas Chappells rope makers amounting to one pound twelve shillings & eight pence halfpenny [£1.12s.8½d].
Together with a bill of the Tidesurveyors for sundry articles which he humbly begs leave to crave, amounting to one pound fourteen shillings & two pence [£1.14s.2d].
As the boat and materials are greatly wanted at Appledore, we humbly beg your honours speedy directions for our government.
We are your Honours most dutifull & most obed[ien]t h[um]ble servants,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)
[There follows three detailed breakdowns of the costs for the above claims].

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1761 May 12
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Henry Simon esq, Customs house London.
Sir,
In answer to your favour of the 5th ins[tan]t, acquainting me that no directions hath been given to the Rec[eive]r Gen[era]l for the Application of the £2093.12s.6d recovered out of the estate of Mr Thomas Benson, I beg leave to acquaint you that pursuant to your letter of the 19th of June 1759, & Rob[er]t Townshend’s letter of 4th Aug[us]t following I sent the Rec[eive]r Gen[era]l lists of the said Benson’s Bonds, noting those to which the above sum was to be applied, & on what branches (copies of which letters are enclosed) but have never received an answer thereto.
I am Sir, &c.
Paul Tucker
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1761 July 24
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ioner]s of His Majestys Customs London.
Sir,
The Tidesurveyor at Appledore being in very great want of a sett of oars, and as there are no any fitt for his purpose to be purchased in this part of the country, he humbly begs your Honours wou[l]d be pleased either to order a dozen, to be sent by way of Bristol of the lengths undermentioned, or to give directions to us to purchase the same at Bristol. He informs us he is so greatly distressed for want of oars, as to be obliged to borrow some of the Masters at Appledore in order to board vessels.
We are your Hon[ou]rs most obed[ien]t & most humble servants.
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(Midship oars to be 19 feet & 5 inches)

To: ditto.
Humble Sirs,
The Tidesurveyor at Appledore having informed us that the Collector of Bideford had given up the Ware House & Watch House at Appledore in this Port and refused payment of the rent for the same (which was always paid at Bideford). Alleging that as the seizures was brought to this Port, the rent of the same should be paid here also.
And as such Warehouse & Watch ho[use] is absolutely necessary not only for lodging the seizures made there till an opportunity offers for bringing them to His Majesty’s Warehouse here (pursuant to your Honours orders) but likewise for keeping the materials of the Kings Boat, &c.
We therefore thought ourselves under a necessity of a Warehouse at Appledore, which occasioned out agreeing for a very convenient house at 50s per annum of which we…. [continued on next page, but not transcribed here].
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 Feb 23
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Mr Atchison.
Sir,
On perusing the Honourable Boards orders amongst other directions given our predecessor, we find the following orders relating to the duty of your Office in these words, viz:
“And we direct you for the future to order the surveyor at Appledore to examine the corn and coal bushels by the standard once in every quarter, and certify their condition to you.”
We therefore strongly recommend to you for the future to put the said order in execution, and to send us quarterly an account of your proceeding and in case you are not provided with a corn and coal standard at Appledore, you shall have these sent you, that are in the office by the Passage Boat, taking care to return them as soon as you have try[e]d the bushels by the first opportunity, and to acquaint us at the same time by letter of your so sending them to this office.
You are to enter this letter unto your book of orders.
We are Sir, your most h[um]ble serv[ant]s,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 May 30
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Messrs Wackrill & Wickey, Landw[aite]rs & Mr Jno Palmer assistant searcher at Appledore.
Gentlemen,
As Mr Atchison, Tidesurveyor &c, may be employ[e]d on other business of the Revenue at such times when it may be necessary to visit the gaurds [sic] &c, on the Three Brothers, and see the quarantine duly performed to prevent any evil in this case, we desire you will at your leisure time visit them & see that the several orders &c, relating to the quarantine, be duly put in execution, and if you observe any officers remiss in this part of his duty, or any other person endeavour to break thro[ugh] the precautions required and directed to be made use of, that you’l inform us thereof, that we may lay the same before the Board.
And we desire you will read this letter to the officers & let them know if they don’t strictly perform their duty, they will be proceeded against in the most severe manner.
We are your h[um]ble serv[an]ts, 
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

1762 May 30
To Mr John Atchison Tidesurveyor at Appledore.
On examining the people on guard of the Three Brothers touching the ammunition of arms they were provided with, we apprehend they have not sufficient number of guns &c, for that purpose. We wou[l]d therefore have you to apply to Messrs Wickey, Wackrill, Gregory & John Halls and the other officers who have fowling pieces in their custody to assist the guard w[it]h the same to prevent any of the people subject to perform quarantine from escaping. And we do strictly charge all the officers concern[e]d in transacting this weighty affair, to be very careful & vigilant in their duty. And direct you to acquaint us with all your proceedings in order to lay the same before the Board, taking care to keep a strict account of all that happens.
P.J.
G.P.
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 May 29
From Custom House, Barnstaple.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
We think it our duty to acquaint your Honours that last Thursday night arrived at Appledore in this Port the Three Brothers belonging to Bideford, William Kenney master, from Cotle in France, last from Gibraltar in ballast that the pilot who went off from Appledore to her in the Bay, informed the Captain that he must proceed to Possit Pill [local name for Portishead] to perform her quarantine, to which he replied: That his main mast was in such a rotten condition that he was apprehensive that the least gale of wind would carry it off. That the tidesurv[eyo]r at Appledore with fourteen other officers seeing they were determined to push in over the Bar, went in the Kings boat as far as they could with safety, in order to prevent if possible their coming in, and demanded the following questions, to wit:

Q) Name of the Snow?
A) Three Brothers

Q) Name of the Master?
A) William Kenney

Q) What cargo she had on board?
A) In ballast

Q) What place she touched at on her voyage?
A) Gibraltar

Q) Whither such place was infected with plague?
A) It was not

Q) How long she had been on her voyage?
A) Six weeks

Q) How many persons were onboard when she set sail from Gibraltar?
A) Eleven

Q) Whither any person on board was then infected with plague?
A) None. All appearing upon deck in health & good spirits and have been so the whole voyage.

Q) How many died on the voyage?
A) None

Q) What ships or vessel he, or any of this ships company, had been on board or had any of their company come onboard his ship?
A) He nor his company had not been on board any ship or vessel, neither had the crew of any other vessel communication with him on the voyage. Except a pilot he took in off Clovelly who is now on board.

They then directed the master to proceed immediately to Posset Pill for the performance of quarantine the master then answered that he had been beating in the channel nine days past against an easterly wind and that his provisions had been all spent for three days before his arriving in the Bay, that his main mast was in such a rotten condition that should a flaw of wind extraordinary come in her sails he must unavoidably carry away her mast, and he the means losing the ship.
Notwithstanding the surveyor repeated directions to proceed to Posset, she came into Skern at Appledore where she now lays, guarded by eighteen officers and others, who take it in turn.
Upon receiving the tidewaiter’s letter, we went to Ilfracombe to call in the assistance of Lieut Runwa, a regulating officer there, who immediately ordered a shift in His Majesty’s Service full man[ne]d and arm[e]d to sail for this port in order, to assist with us in obliging the master & crew to proceed to Posset Pill to perform her quarantine, but the shift could not possibly get in over this Bar till this morning, when we found they had run the ship so far on shore (notwithstanding the Pilot had strict orders to the contrary) that she will not float again till Thursday or Friday next. The shift then sailed for Ilfracombe.
We call[e]d the master and all the hands upon deck (appeared to us to be in health) and blamed them greatly for their ill conduct in forcing their ship into this port, contrary to his Majesty’s order in Council, signified to them both by their pilot, the tide-surveyor and the rest of the officers in the strongest terms, he replied to us that his mast was rotten, was in great want of provisions, ship leaky and that the crew took the command of the ship from him and forced his to come in here.
We humbly apprehend the obstinacy of the crew arose from the fear of being impressed into His Majesty’s Service in case they had proceeded to Posset. We have given strict orders and have admonished all the officers concerned in the guarding the ship to be vigilant & careful in this part of their duty. We humbly submit this weighty affair to your honours praying your speedy directions for our government.
We are your honours most obedient & honourable servants.
Paul Tucker
George Parminter

P.S.
Honourable Sirs: In consequence of a meeting held some months since of most of the officers in this port, it was then unanimously agreed that as we apprehended there was not any proper place for vessells performing quarantine within this Port, that should any arrive in the Bay liable to the rules of quarantine, a copy of His Majesty’s order in Council was delivered the pilots of this Port not to conduct any ship into this harbour but to order them to proceed to Posset Pill which that have observed and complied with.
P.J.
G P.
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 June 06
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Commissioners of Customs, London.
In pursuance of your Honours orders signified to us by Mr sec[reta]ry Wood’s letter of the third instant, directing us to order William Kenney, master of the Three Brothers from Cetle, liable to quarantine now lying at the Skern in Appledore within this Port, to repair with ship as soon as possible to Bristol, there to perform her quarantine, we think it our duty to acquaint your Honours that the Collector & Tidesurveyor have since the receipt of your Hon[ou]rs order, attended at the Skern and acquainted the master William Kenney & the crew to repair to Bristol, there to perform quarantine, to which the master replied: That the ship was so leaky, that her pumps would scarce discharge the water she takes in, that the mast was so rotten that he could not proceed over the Bar without running the risk of losing both the ship and their lives, & if it was possible for him to proceed with any safety, he would gladly obey your Honour’s orders. The master & crew appeared all upon deck in perfect health.
We shall strictly obey your honours in observing as far as possible the rules of quarantine while she continues at this Port. We humbly pray your honours further directions in this weighty affair.
We are &c,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 June 09
To Messrs Deane Surv[eyo]r, & Harris Landw[aite]r at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
On the collectors examining the persons journal, who has the care of the Three Brothers now lying at Appledore Skern, liable to quarantine, it appears that the Landsurveyor attended the ship on Saturday the 5th instant, that Mr Horely hath not attended the ship & g[u]ard since Tuesday the first instant, and Mr Harris hath not attended the same since Monday the 31st ult[im]o.
And as we have received the strictest orders from the Hon[oura]ble Board to pay the greatest attention to this weighty part of our duty, we cannot but think you highly blameable in neglecting so material a part of your duty. And it is our directions that you do for the future during her stay in this port, & whilst she is liable to the rules of quarantine, each in rotation dayly attend the ship and g[u]ard, and acquaint us with occur[ance]s in order to our lay in the same before the Honourable Board, you are to enter this letter into your book of orders, and acknowledge the receipt hereof to, Your most humble serv[ant]s,
Paul Tucker
George Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 June 30
From Custom house Barnstaple, to: Commissioners of Customs, London.
We think it our duty to acquaint your Honours that in consequence of your Hon[ou]rs orders to us signified by Mr Woods letter of 3rd inst[an]t, relating to the ship Three Brothers, William Kenney master, from Cetle now lying at the Skern at Appledore in this Port, liable to quarantine, we governed ourselves agreeable thereto by directing her mast[e]r to proceed to Bristol to perform quarantine, and otherwise as expressed in our letter to your Honours of the 6th instant, we beg leave to observe that since that time, we have called on the master and men onboard that vessel, and daily repeated to them such directions as your Honours were pleased to signify by Mr Sec[reta]ry Woods letter of the 3rd instant, to which the master alwaise that it was not possible for him to proceed to Bristol, their main mast being so rotten, and their ship so leaky that in all probability she would not continue above water four hours after going from this place where she now lies.
We humbly pray your honours directions for our government.
We are &c,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 June 20
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Commissioners of Customs, London.
We think it our duty to acquaint your Honours that we have strictly observed the rules of quarantine, pursuant to your Honours orders relating to the ship Three Brothers, w[hi]ch arrived at Skern at Appledore in this port from Calle, and that ever since her arrival, which was on the 27th ult[im]o, she has been constantly guarded with a boat and nine men, who are relieved by nine others every twenty four hours, that the master and crew has been daily acquainted with your Honours orders to proceed with the vessel to Bristol to perform her quarantine.
And they in return say that the mast is so rotten, and the ship so leaky that it is impossible for them to proceed thither, indeed we beg leave to acquaint your Hon[ou]rs that the said vessel appears to us to be in a very leaky condition, for that they are generally pumping when we have attended to view her, and the people on g[u]ard inform us that the pumps are going great part of the time they are on the watch, the master, the pilot, and crew, that are on board are called over several times every day, they all appear in perfect health on deck, and in good spirits. As we have not received any orders from your Honours, since the 3rd instant, we humbly beg your honours speedy orders for our government.
We are etc,
Paul Tucker
George Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 June 27
From Custom house Barnstaple, to: Commissioners of Customs, London.
We think it our duty to acquaint your Honours that the ship Three Brothers, William Kenney master, from Cetle last from Gibraltar (of which we have before taken the liberty to bring your Honours acquainted) still continues at the Skern at Appledore in this Port. Notwithstanding your Honours orders for her proceeding to Bristol to perform her quarantine, and it being now the two and thirtieth day since her arriving there, during all which time a very strict g[u]ard has been kept on her, and the master and crew continuing in perfect health, but the ship in such a leaky condition as to pump out every tide great quantity of water. We therefore presume to request your Honours speedy orders, whether upon the expiration of forty days the g[u]ard on the said ship is to be continued further on her, and the ship ordered to proceed to Bristol there to perform her quarantine or what other method your Honours will be pleased to order to have pursued, by,
Your honours most dutifull and most obed[ient] servants,
Paul Tucker
George Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 July 20
From Custom House, Barnstaple, to the Honourable Commiss[ione]rs of the Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
We have in pursuance of your Honours order of the 4th day of August 1761, continued the Warehouse at Appledore in this port to Midsummer last, for the lodging of seizures made there, and the materials of the Kings boat. We humbly beg leave to report that we think there is great occasion for the further continuance of the same for the purposes above mentioned, which is humbly submitted by your Hon[ou]rs most dutifull & most obed[ien]t serv[an]ts.
R.J.
G.P.
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 Aug 12
From Custom house Barnstaple, to: Commissioners of Customs, London.
We beg leave to acquaint your Honours that the officers and others (who were the guard on the Three Brothers, Will[ia]m Kenney master from Cetle in France during her performance of quarantine at the Skern in this port) have made application to us desiring they may be paid for their service.
We have therefore taken the liberty to transmit your Honours an estimate of the charges thereof, amounting to £64.14s.4d. agreeable to the bills delivered in here and signed by the Tidesurveyor, and they humbly pray that your Honours would be pleased to give such directions as to you shall soon meet for the payment of the same.
We beg leave to observe that most of the officers concerned on this duty are Tidesmen in the Port of Bideford, and where they were formerly paid (as they inform us) for this kind of service, but this is humbly submitted to your honours by, your hon[oura]ble and most obed[ien]t humble servants,
Paul Tucker
George Parminter

Port of Barnstaple:
An estimate of the charges attending the guard kept on the Three Brothers, Wm Kenney master, from Celle, during her performance of quarantine in this Port:

(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 Dec 21
Custom house Barnstaple, to Messrs Wackrill & Wickey, Landw[aite]rs at Appledore.
Being informed that it hath been the practice of the merchants at Appledore, to put quantities of Bark &c, on board vessells at Appledore within this Port, which have afterwards proceeded to Bideford, and taken in their remaining part of their cargoe. That Bar Malt &c, is frequently carried by boat from Appledore to Bideford without any sufferance or permit from this office. We therefore think you very blameable for suffering the same to be done, and direct you for the future to be very watchfull to hinder the like irregular practices, which will privent our laying your conduct before the Hon[oura]ble Board. You are to enter this letter into your books of orders, and acknowledge the receipt of it, to, Gentlemen, your h[um]ble servants, 
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1762 Dec 21
Custom house Barnstaple, to Messrs Deane, Harris, Moule, Atchison, Wackrill & Wickey, officers of the Port of Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
Complaints being made to us by the Soapboilers of this town & nieghbourhood of the decay of that trade, owing as they imagine to the quantities of Irish soap that is run & brought into Port by coasting vessels, lighters, &c.
We therefore direct you to exert yourselves to the utmost in your power in taking all opportunities in searching such vessells, lighters, &c, in order to detect any frauds which may be carried on, detrimental to the interest of the Revenue.
You are to copy this letter into your books of orders, and acknowledge the receipt hereof to, Gentlemen, y[ou]r most h[um]ble serv[an]ts,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1763 Feb 26
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Mr Atchison.
Mr Hoather, the assistant searcher on salt being appointed by the Honourable Commiss[ione]rs of His Majesty Customs, a Waiter and Searcher at Appledore within this Port, you are to give him all the assistance and encouragement that lyes in your power in the execution of that part of his office, for His Majestys Service.
We are Sir, &c, 
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1763 Mar 04
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ione]rs of his Majestys Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
Herewith your Honours will receive the Coll[ector]s abstract from the 31st of January 1763, exclusive to the 28th of Feb[ruar]y follow[in]g inclusive together with an account of officers absence, petty receipts & list of bonds due and unpaid for said time, and we humbly report that the proper officers have certified that the tried here the 3rd inst[an]t the half hundred, a sett of small weights & the coal bush[el]s, and found them all right, & that the beam scales, ropes. & triangles are in good repair. The stamps for hides, linens &c, are in good order, and kept in the Kings chest pursuant to your Honours orders.
We are, &c,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1763 May 03
Bideford. To his Majestys Customs, Custom House, London.
We beg leave to acquaint your Honourable Board that some day in the last week, Messrs Heather, Wickey & Hall, officers of the Customs in this Port found a cask of rum moor[e]d at an anchor, under water within the precincts of the Royalty of the late John Ford esq, between Appledore and the Bar, w[hi]ch cask of rum hath been since carried to the Custom House at Barnstaple and there deposited under the care of the Coll[ecto]r & Comp[trolle]r of that Port. And as no owner has made any claim thereto, we the representatives of the said Mr Ford, think ourselves entitled to the said cask of rum. Humbly desire your Hon[oura]ble Board will be pleased to order the same to be deliv[ere]d to us.
We are, Hon[oura]ble Sirs, your honours most obed[ient] & h[um]ble serv[an]ts,
Jos[hu]a Bawden
Tho[ma]s Hogg
E. Smith
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1763 May 27
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ione]rs of his Majestys Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
In obedience to your Honours commands directing us to report to your Honours the circumstances attending the seizure of a cask of rum lately made in the river near the Royalty of the late Mr. Ford, which is claimed by his representatives as a wreck on their manor. We beg leave to acquaint your owners that on the 27th ult[im]o as Messrs Wicky, Heather, & Hall, officers at Appledore in this Port, were going out at near low water towards the Bar in a boat, they perceived in the river near Grayston Lake [the mere at Graysands] the end of a handspike appearing just on the surface of the water. As it did not move on with the usual current they tow[e]d towards it, to examine the same (as Hall informed the other two officers, he had seized a cask of brandy and wine discovered in that manner near the same place which was condemned and sold) when they came to take it up, found a rope fixed to it.
On pulling up the same, they found the said cask of rum cont[ainin]g 63 gall[on]s, to which cask was fix[e]t several large lime stones, and a ship's anchor, which was several fathom under water, which cask and anchor they carried immediately to Appledore, where it lay some time on the beach, and from thence brought it to the Kings wareho[use] here, and several vessels arrived that morning from Ireland &c, and no person then nor since has claim[e]d the anchor.
It is our humble opinion that we cannot in the least doubt but the intention was to turn the said cask of rum at the first convenient time. We beg leave to observe that if people who own Royalties where they may be entitled to wrecks, &c, should make use of such practises of sinking unaccustomed goods in several fathoms of water, and then claim the same as their property, it would be giving great latitude for smuggling.

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1763 May 27
We beg leave likewise to acquaint your honours that Mr Heather huard(?) One of the trustees too late Mr Ford's will (who took the liberty of writing your Hon[ou]rs on this head) say, that that the letter was writ at the request of Mr Ford's widdow, only to satisfy her, for that they did not imagine your Honours wou[l]d be pleased to order the rum to be given up under the aforesaid circumstances.
We are, your Honours most dutifull & most obed[ient] serv[an]ts,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1763 Jun 06
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Messrs Dean Surveyor, Harris & Moule, Landw[aite]rs at Barnstaple.
The collector having for several days past, visited the French cartel ships now lying at Appledore to carry off the French prisoners, and finding that notwithstanding the strict charge given to the Tidesman to be carefull & vigilant in their duty, that goods are run, particularly a parcell of French paper which was intended to be landed in the night on the 4th inst[an]t, but as the people in the boar perceived, Mr Wickey Landwaiter and Mr Rees Excise Officer, who were on the look out coming towards them, they throw near a small boat load of s[ai]d paper into the tide, and another boat pass[e]d up the river the same time, which they imagined came from the same place, but before they could proceed, the Kings boat to take up the same, the far greater part was carried off by the tide.
As the said Wickey, Mr Atchison Tidesman & other officers at Appledore, have acquainted the Collector that they are greatly fatigued with watching your nights successively to prevent the run[n]ing of goods.
As the three Cartel ships are very large, one of them at least five hundred ton, so that goods may be dropt into small boats at some of the gun ports or otherwise, out of the said ships, and so run notwithstanding the Tidesmen being on board, and afterwards landed, therefore to prevent such smug[g]ling, we think it absolutely necessary for the safety of the Revenue for you immediately to repair at Appledore and to exert yourselves to the utmost of your power by assisting the other officers to prevent the running of any goods out of the said ships during their stay in this Port.
You are desired forthwith to enter this letter into your books of orders & acknowledge the receipt thereof, to, Gentlemen &c, 
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1763 Jun 13
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Messrs Deane Surveyor, Harris & Moule, Wickey & Wackrill Landw[aite]rs, Wickey, Davie, Sciance & Larkin, Tidesmen.
Gentlemen,
Having great reason to think notwithstanding the utmost care of the Tidesmen on board the Cartel ships at Appledore, that goods are run, you are therefore required to be very vigilant and careful, strictly to search and examine now and at all other times, all vessels and boats that pass in this Port, to prevent as much as in your power lyes, the pernicious practise of smug[g]ling.
You are to enter this letter into your books of orders and to acknowledge the receipt hereof, to, Gentlemen, yours &c,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1763 Aug 21
From Custom House, Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of the Customs in London.
In pursuance of your Honours orders signified to us by Mr Sec[retar]y Woods letter of the 11th instant, we beg leave to acquaint your Honours that yesterday, arrived at Appledore in this Port, His Majesty’s sloop Dispatch, which we are informed will be stationed here for some time. And we shall take due care to acquaint your Honours of the sailing out, of or coming into Port, of the said sloop or any other which may be appointed to cruise on the owlers & smug[g]lers, or any other sloops in the service of this Revenue, agreeable to your Honours orders.
We are your Honours most dutifull & most obed[ient] servants,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/63)

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1765 July 01
Custom house Barnstaple, to G. Litchfield esq, Soll[icito]r, Custom Ho[use], London.
Sirs,
You were pleased by your favour of 27th ult[im]o to acquaint us that you had received our bill of the King ag[ains]t Parker & others, that the same appeared to you a most extraordinary charge. We beg leave to acquaint you that the first article of £1.17s.6d was craved in the Collector’s preparatory account, and an order rec[eive]d from the Hon[oura]ble Board to take credit for the same after deducting 3/4d. We beg leave to observe with respect to the other charges, that the Sheriff’s bailiffs were sent by him from Exeter to Appledore (upwards of fifty miles) where the def[endan]ts all lived, and that place being as lawless as perhaps any in this Kingdom, required considerable assistance to put the laws in execution.
And not withstanding they had all they required, their endeavours in the first attempt proved unsuccessful when after several days attendance, and when the writts were out of date, the Coll[ecto]r was obliged to satisfy them for their trouble before they returned to Exeter, otherwise they wo[ul]d not have been prevail[e]d on to come again, and put the renew[e]d writ in execution.
And we being unacquainted with the nature of this business ask[e]d several gent[lemen] who have been conversant therein, were inform[e]d by them that they had paid the Sheriffs Officers larger sums for less services. Their demand was much more at first, but cut off by the Coll[ector].
I hope therefore you’ll be pleased to reconsider thereof, that he may not be a sufferer by advancing money (as appears by a copy of the bills & rec[eive]d on the back hereof) out of his own pocket. And he begs leave to assure you that he transacted this affair w[i]th as much frugality as if it had been his own.
We are &c.
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/94)

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1765 July 08
From the Custom ho[use] Barnstaple; to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ione]rs of his Majestys Customs at London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
In obedience to your Honours commands signified to us by Mr Freemantle directing us to report at the end of six months whether the instructions left at this port by the Surv[eyor]s on their late inspection, have been carried into execution by the several officers concerned, and particularly whither the same have been duly observed by the Surveyor & Landw[aite]rs.
We beg leave to observe that the Surveyor and Landw[aite]rs have carefully follow[e]d the said instructions; but that with respect to y[ou]r Honours orders of the 18th Dec[embe]r last, directing two of the Tidesmen residing at Appledore to remove at Fremington Pill to prevent any frauds from being committed by vessells discharging coals and culm there, we have caused them all to be conven[e]d together in order to draw lotts or otherwise, to agree among themselves that so two of the Tidesmen sho[ul]d remove thither pursuant to your Honours orders, Ye notwithstanding we have since that time frequently directed the Tidesurveyor at Appledore (where those officers reside) to see that your Honours orders is carried into execution. We are informed by him that they cannot agree among themselves which of the two shall so remove.
In the meantime to prevent any fraud, we have ordered some of the Tidesmen to attend that Pill when vessels are discharging coals or culm, to prevent any illicit trade, and we humbly beg your Honours will be pleased to give such directions in this affair as to your shall seem meet.
We are Hon[oura]ble Sirs, your Hon[ou]rs most dutifull & most obed[ient] h[um]ble serv[ant]s.
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/94)

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1765 Sep 15
From Custom house Barnstaple; to John Brownall esq, Custom house, London.
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 12th instant relating to our crave of a new boat for the surveyor at Appledore in this Port, & fully to explain the error touching the length of the said boat so caused(?).
We beg leave to acquaint you that the present old boat is 21 feet keel & 24 feet from stem to stern, which is the same dimensions the Tidesurveyor desires the new one may be of. Indeed, there is but four boatman only belonging to the boat, but the Tidesurveyor when he boards vessells, carries three or four Tidesmen with him when she rows six oars, and as the sea at Appledore often runs high, it is our humble opinion that a boat of the same dimensions which we have craved, would be most proper for the service, but that we humbly submit to the Hon[oura]ble Board.
Proposals by Thorne & Ley for building a boar for the service at Appledore in the Port of Barnstaple. A new carvil boat skinn[e]d with English oak board three quarters of an inch thick, nine strakes of a side, with oak timbers 2½ inch scantling by the keep, 1½ inch timber head & 2½ inch sighted, with all the boat buildings, joyners, smiths, & painters worke, as 12s p[er] foot from stem to stern. As to the other quires in your letter relating to the materials of the boat, we purpose to view them at Appledore tomorrow & make our report by the next post.
We are Sir, y[ou]r most obed[ient] & most h[onoura]ble serv[an]ts,
Paul Tucker
Geo[rge] Parminter
Coll[ector] & Comp[troller]
The old boat was measured & paid for by the keel, 21 feet at 16s p[er] foot, which makes the difference in the charge.
(ref: CUST 69/94)

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1766 March 11
From the Custom Ho[use] Barnstaple; to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ione]rs of his Majestys Customs at London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
In consequence of your Honours order to us of the 15th ult[im]o relating to the four hundred & eighty casks of butter salved out of the Little Henry from Cork to Hambro’, lodged in the cellars at Appledore in this port (now under arrest of the High Court of Admiralty) directing us to take care that the goods be secured till an application is made for them, we beg leave to acquaint your Honours that the agent for the proprietors of the said butter informs us that he is in daily expectation of a writ of delivery from the Court of Admiralty to take the said butter into his possession, which he is directed to send coastwise to Bristol, in order to shipt onboard a vessell bound to Hambro’. We therefor[e] beg your Honours speedy directions whether we are to deliver the said butter to him upon the Courts giving up the same.
We are Hon[oura]ble Sirs, your Hon[ou]rs most dutifull & most obed[ien]t h[onoua]ble servants,
Paul Tucker
Geor[ge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/94)

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1767 Jan 31
From the Custom Ho[use], Barnstaple; to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ione]rs of his Majestys Customs at London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
Herewith we get leave to transmitt your Honours Thomas Thorne’s bill for a new boat for the use of the Tidesurveyor at Appledore in this Port, and for two new masts for the same, amounting to £14.4s.4d.
Also Mr Thomas Hoggs bill for two new sails for the use of the said boat, amounting to £2.14s.5½d, in all £16.18s.5½d for your Honours consideration and directions.
We also beg your Honours directions whether we are to sell the old boat.
We are your Hon[ou]rs most dutifull & most obed[ient] h[onoura]ble servants.
(ref: CUST 69/94)

[There follows details of the bills from Thomas Thorne, shipwright, and Thomas Hogg, sailmaker.]

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1767 Feb 27
From the Custom House at Barnstaple.
Notice is hereby given that on Wednesday the 24th day of March next, by three o’clock in the afternoon, a survey will be held at the Custom House in this Town, for the sale of His Majesty’s old boat, late in the service at Appledore under the Tide Surveyor, where the best bidder will have a price.
Mr Atchison, You are to cause the above notice to be affixed in some publick place at Appledore in order that His Majesty’s old boat may be sold to the best advantage. And you are not to fail on any pretence whatever, to give us by the bearer a particular account of the old materials belonging to her, that we may acquaint the Hon[oura]ble Board therewith in order to have their Hon[our]s orders for our government.
We are your very h[onoura]ble servants
P. Tucker
G. Parminter
P.S. We have wrote on this head to you before, but could get no answer to Mr Atchison Tide Surveyor at Appledore. Sent the above by Thomas Martin.
(ref: CUST 69/94)

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1767 Mar 27
From the Custom ho[use] Barnstaple; to the Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ione]rs of his Majestys Customs at London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
On the 3rd instant Mr Thomas Hogg, marchant at Appledore in this port, applied to us by his letter for a sufferance for shipping twelve pine balk q[uanti]ty three tons, & three thousand feet of pine board & planks on board the Nightingale, Philip Peake master, for Neath, which was part of the cargo imported in the Northam from North American, on account of bounty, and at the same time we acquainted the said Mr Hogg that as the same was subject to the repayment of the bounty if exported it was necessary bond shou[l]d be given (tho’ carried coastwise) that it should be landed in some part of Great Britain, notwithstanding which the vessel is sail[e]d without taking any dispatches or giving security.
We further beg leave to observe that the said Mr Hogg is greatly interested in the importation of the same, and as we expect soon to be called upon for the bounty, we shall suspend payment of the same till we receive your Honours directions.
We have also acquainted the Coll[ecto]r & Compt[rolle]r of Neath by our letter of the 13th inst[ant] by post, of the vessels being sail[e]d for that port without any dispatches.
We are H[onoura]ble Sirs, your Honours most dutifull & most obed[ient] h[onoura]ble serv[an]ts.
Paul Tucker
Geo[rge] Parminter
(ref: CUST 69/94)

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1769 Nov 10
From Custom house London, to the Coll[ecto]r and Comp[trolle]r of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
Messrs Smith and Hogg of Bideford having with their letter of the 3rd instant, laid before us an account of the charges attending the salvage of 65 pipes and one hogshead of wine, out of the ship Sally, Benjamin Berry master, bound from Oporto to Bristol, which was stranded on Northam Burrows within your Port in September last, amounting to one hundred and eighty five pounds, three shillings and four pence halfpenny [£185.3d.4½d].
Inclosed we send you a copy of the said account, and acquaint you that the five articles mentioned on the back hereof, do not appear to us to be such charges of salvage as are to be allowed out of the goods sold duty free.
We further acquaint you that if the seamen employed in the salvage are the mariners belonging to the stranded ship, the allowances to them are not to be made out of the goods sold duty free, but we have no objection to the rest of the articles mentioned in the said account.
And you may permit so much of the wine to be sold free of duties, as will be sufficient to defray the same, taking care that the duties be paid for the remainder of the cargo if sold here.
We are your loving friends,
Cn Morris
Edw[ar]d Hooper
H Bankes
J Jeffreys

(ref: CUST 69/96, entry #5)

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1769 Dec 08
From Custom house London, to the Coll[ecto]r & Comp[trolle]r of the Customs at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
Mr James Stewart Tulk, and Messrs Francis & Thomas Methold, having by their memorial of the 5th instant, acquainted us that in consequence of our directions to you, they have ordered a part of the wine salved, out of the Sally, Benjamin Berry master, bound from Oporto to Bristol, to be sold duty free, for payment of the charges of salvage.
That the sale is now finished, and the remainder of the wines are ready to be shipped for their intended port, but that you object thereto, till the duty thereon is paid – desiring our order for that purpose.
And having considered this matter, if the charges of salvage are paid, we see no objection to the remainder of the cargo, which has not been sold, being carried to the destined port, at the charge of the proprietor, and under the care of proper officers.
And in case such charges are paid, you may permit the same to be shipped for Bristol accordingly.
We are your loving friends,
Edw[ar]d Hooper
H. Banks
W. Musgrave
J. Jeffreys
(ref: CUST 69/96, entry #13)

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From John Atchison, Tidesurveyor at Appledore, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Port of Barnstaple.
Gentlemen, 
“Thursday 29th Oct[obe]r 1778 came in over the Bar, the sloop Juffrow Maria, Jonas Riel master, from St Eustatia with sugar, indigo, tobacco, cow pelts in the hair, and cotton from Amsterdam to which place she belongs.”
I am, Gentlemen, &,
John Atchison, Tidesurveyor
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #37)

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1778 Nov 08
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble the Commissioners of His Majesty’s Customs London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Hon[ou]rs that Mr Atchison, Tidesurveyor at Appledore in this Port, informed us by his letter that on the 29th ultimo, arrived there the sloop Juffrow Maria, Jonas Reil master, from St Eustatia, with sugar, indigo, tobacco, cow pelts in the hair & cotton for Amsterdam, to which place she belonged.
We further beg leave to observe that yesterday we received another letter from Mr Atchison (copy of which we have entered) wherein he apprehend the vessell is forfeited & requested us to solicit your Hon[ou]rs opinion thereon.
We are your Hon[ou]rs most obed[ien]t and most humble serv[an]ts,
Paul Tucker
John Wood Oram
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #37)

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1778 Nov 06
From Tidesurveyor at Appledore, to the Collector & Comptroller of the Port of Barnstaple.
Gentlemen, 
I have some hopes that the sloop Juffrow Maria from St Usta[ti]a may become forfeited. The Cap[tain] has told many various stories concerning her property, and now declares that the right owners are of the Islands of Guernsey and Alderney, and then of course English property. If an English vessel, and sailed with all foreign mariners contrary to the statute, is she not become forfeited.
On this presumption however, I went on board her and told the master that I apprehended she was forfeited, and had him take notice that it might be adjudged that she was under that circumstance I seized her, or that it might be adjudged that she was under that circumstance I seized her, or that if it should appear she became a droit to the Admiralty that under that circumstance I took her.
Would you be so pleased Gentlemen as to request their Honours would be so condescending as to afford their opinion on this affair.
Your compliance will oblige, Gentlemen, yours &c,
John Atchison, Tidesurvey[o]r.
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #37)

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1778 Oct 15
Copy letter from W[ilia]m Tyeth, Bideford, [to Barnstaple Custom house].
(Received 19th ditto)
Hon[oura]ble Sirs, 
About two months ago, I sent a Gent[lema]n to you, with a letter again requesting your Hon[ou]rs be pleas[e]d to redress in the matter of the debentures on soap & candles, which when exported from hence to Newfoundland in the year 1776, and of which I wrote your Hon[ou]rs twice before, as also at your directions, I wrote the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of Excise, and still nothing is done therein. They the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of Excise say the matter lies with your Honours to settle, and that they have nothing to do with it (in its present state), although the time of the exportation is so long elaps[e]d, I don’t despair however; that your Hon[ou]rs will put an end to the affair in the manner it ought to be, as I trust on perusal my case will appear (in its right light) justifiable.
The Gent[lema]n who waited on you with my last petition, said that no letter of mine regarding this matter could be found, consequently there could be no reply made to it. I therefore have now sent you annexed a copy of the same, & I trust and hope your Hon[ou]rs will now give orders that this affair may be finally ended.
In humble expectation of which, I remain, Hon[oura]ble Sirs, w[it]h due respect, your most obed[ien]t and most h[um]ble serv[an]t,
Wm Tyeth.
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #37)

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1778 Oct 15
Copy letter from Jo: Spilsbury, Barnstaple.
I beg leave to make my humble application to your Hon[ou]rs in regard to a quantity of soap and candles made and sold for exportation by me, in obtaining the drawback for which I am put to some difficulty by mistakes made in the entering and shipping the same in the Port of Barnst[aple] sometime beginning of this present year. I sold Mr Thomas Hogg, merchant at Appledore, agent for Mr W[ilia]m Saunders of Newfoundland, 26 boxes of tallow candles, each containing 56 lbs w[eigh]t, amounting to 1456 lbs, & 10 boxes of hand soap, £56 each, amounting to £560, made by me in this town, which goods were ship[pe]d in the David, Robert Day master, for Newfoundland, and exported thither in her from the port of Barnstaple. It being necessary for me (in order to enable the exporter to review the drawback) to make oath to the payment of the duties, of the said goods before the Collector of Excise, I accordingly did so some time last Aug[us]t, and on his certificate thereof being produced to the Collector & Comptroller of Barnstaple, I was informed that Mr Thomas Hogg had enter[e]d on said ship, 18 boxes of candles, qt 1008 lbs, and the same of soap, and that the officers had certified the ship[p]ing thereof accordingly, and that unless the certificate of my oath agreed with their quantities, the exporter could not be paid the debenture.
The total of soap and candles was the same, but the difference of each species was very great, 4 cwt of soap more, and 4 cwt of candles less being certified for than was ship[pe]d, which was so much in my favour (the duty of candles being but a penny p[er] lb) but as I know I had sworn to the truth, I could by no means recede from what I had done, however the shipping officers mistook the quantity, so the debentures could not pass, &c.
Therefore humbly praying your Honours to take my case into your consideration, as I am to have the drawback allowed me in my contract with the exported, and to give orders to the Barnstaple Officers so as to clear up the same, &c.
The Collector & Comptroller of Barnstaple to report, returning this application.
By order of the Commissioners, 2nd November, a copy,
Jo: Spilsbury
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #37)

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1778 Nov 10
Custom house Barnstaple, to the Honourable Commissioners of His Majestys Customs, London.
Honourable Sirs,
In obedience to your Honours commands, signified by Mr Spilsbury, the 2nd instant, for us to report to your Honours touching the endorsed application of W[ilia]m Tyeth, respecting a quantity of soap and candles shipt on board the David, John Doyle master, for Placentia in March 1776.
In consequence of the said order, we have called on Messrs Richard Wickey & John Moule, the two Landwaiters, who shipt the said soap & candles on board the said vessel, to inform us the reason of their certifying that they shipt eighteen boxes containing 1008 lbs weight English hard soap, and eighteen boxes containing 1008 weight English tallow candles, whereas it appears by W[ilia]m Tyeths affidavit taken before the Collector of Excise the 6th July 1776, that 1456 lbs of British made tallow candles and 560 lbs of British sope was the real quantity shipt on board the said vessel, to which they replied that the mistake arose in their not examining all the boxes of soap and candles so shipt, which was the same reason the above said Landwaiter gave the Collector and Comptroller in Nov 1776, and also the same reasons they gave us in Sept[embe]r 1777 as will appear by our letters from this office in pursuance to your Honours orders for our reporting on this business at that time.
We are with all our respects, your Honours most obedient most h[um]ble serv[an]ts.
Paul Tucker
John Wood Oram
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #38)

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1778 Nov 30
To the Honourable Commissioners of His Majestys Customs, London.
Honourable Sirs,
Inclosed we beg leave to transmitt your Honours the under mentioned tradesmen’s bills for the necessary repairs of the boat in His Majesty’s service at Appledore in this Port, and pray your Honours orders for paying the same:

We are your Honours most dutifull and most obed[ien]t humble servants
Paul Tucker
John Wood Oram
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #39)

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1779 July 20
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Honourable Commissioners of His Majestys Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Hon[ou]rs that the Tidesurveyors residing at Appledore within this Port, by his letter of yesterday, acquainted us that there was in the Bay of Barnstaple, a cutter built and rigg[e]d vessel carrying eighteen guns of four pounds, and double fortified with thirty two swivels, that tho[ugh] they call themselves the privateer of Boston, there was all the reason in the world to believe her to be a smuggling vessel.
In his said report, he adds that last Saturday, to the westward of Padstow, she took the Ann, brigantine of this port, which she ransomed for one hundred guineas.
To this we beg leave to add that within three leagues and to the eastward of the Island of Lundy yesterday was taken by the said vessel, the Sea Nympt, brigantine also of this port. And that it is also reported, and the report seems credited, that four other vessels likewise this port, have been taken by these notorious pirates, consisting chiefly of English, Scotch, and Irish men, there being but two French men out of ninety seven persons on board.
And here are beg leave to add our reasons for taking upon ourselves to assert the said vessel to be a smuggler – that she was seen certainly discharging her cargo on the Cornish coast.
We are, &c,
(ref: CUST 69/66)

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1779 July 29
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of His Majestys Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
The 20th instant we took the liberty to acquaint your Hon[our]s that a cutter of very considerable force (after smuggling her cargo of tea and Brandy) had taken several vessels belonging to this, and other ports in the Bristol Channel.
In consequence whereof, a petition was drawn up and signed by upwards of sixty Gentlemen, merchants, master of vessels, and traders within this port, which will be sent to the R[igh]t Hon[oura]ble the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty by this Port: copy of which we have inclosed, your Hon[ou]rs.
And this morning we received undoubted intelligence from the person who has the care of, and resides on the Island of Lundy, that two other smuggling vessells had touched there this week, one of which was of considerable force, with a large cargo of goods intended to be run in the Bristol Channel, of which we thought it our duty to give your Hon[ou]rs the earliest intelligence.
We are your Hon[ou]rs most obed[ien]t and most humble servant,
P.T.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #35)

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1779 July 31
From Custom house Barnstaple, to the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of His Majestys Customs, London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Hon[ou]rs that there is at present within this port, three transports laden with oats, for His Majestys forces in America, ready to sail within a few days. Therefore pray your Hon[ou]rs will be pleased to supply us by return of the post with the usual certificates to be granted the masters of the said transports on their sailing.
We are your Hon[ou]rs most dutifull & most obed[ien]t most humble servants,
P.T.
J.W.O., D.Compt[rolle]r
(ref: CUST 69/66, entry #36)

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1780 Aug 01
Tuesday, wrote at Appledore.
To the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of His Majestys Customs, London.
We beg leave to acquaint you that yesterday arrived at Appledore in this Port, his Majesty’s sloop Lively, John Inglefield esq commander, who brought in with him the Swallow, lugger about forty tons burthen, John McGrane master, being the same person who was master of an armed cutter called the Prosperous Mary, taken some time since by his Majesty’s sloop Swallow, Richard Bickerton esq commander, but recovered by the owners, which lugger is laden with tea in baggs, brandy & wine in small casks. The cargo is intended to be bro[ught] to his Majesty’s Warehouse here the very first opportunity, & when there secured & entered, we shall take care to acquaint your Hon[ou]rs with the particular quantities.
We beg to observe that the said lugger was discovered lurking at an anchor in a Bay on this coast called Bude Bay, that she is mounted with eight carriage guns with 16 men, and otherwise well found & fitted with arms as a private, having no commission or warrant whatsoever to cruise as an armed vessel. The reason we apprehend here to have piratical intentions is the inconsistances contained in her pretended documents, copys of which we have herewith transmitted for your Hon[ou]rs better information.
We are, &c,
(ref: CUST 69/66)

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1781 Nov 08
[From] Custom ho[use] Ilfracombe.
We think it our duty to acquaint your Honours, that we have received intelligence from undoubted authority, that large quantities of tea and brandy are frequently discharged out of armed smugglers from France, and lodged on the Island of Lundy, ‘till opportunities offer of putting the same on board pilot boars belonging to this port, who are hired for that purpose, and land the said goods on the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Wales; therefore humbly conceive, that if directions were given to the Commander of the Beaver Sloop of War, stationed at Appledore in the Port of Bideford, and for him to make frequent visits to the said island, and examine all vessels &c, he shall happen to find in that road (especially the boats belonging to this port) it might in a great measure put a stop to this iniquitous practice, so very injurious to the Revenue and fair trader.
We are, Hon[oura]ble Sirs, your faithful & most obedient humble servants,
Peter Foste[r?]
Tho[ma]s Jans
P.S. We have great reason to think that these armed smugglers after landing their cargoes, and in their way back, are a great annoyance to the coasting trades.
(ref: CUST 69/169, page 86, entry #39)

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1790 Dec 19
Custom house Barnstaple, to Commissioners of Customs London.
H[onourable] Sirs,
Yesterday morning about one o’clock, was driven on shore near Instow Quay in this Port, in a violent storm of wind, the sloop Abeona, of the port of Fowey, Christopher Parnall master, burthen 101 tons of register, laden with ankers and half ankers of foreign brandy, rum and gineva, together with some tea and salt.
The master came to this office about 11 o’clock the same morning to give information to the Collector of the circumstances of the said vessel (of which he is sole owner) and stated that she was bound from the Island of Guernsey to that of North Faro.
The Collector immediately proceeded to the vessel, when he found that the Tidesurveyor and his boatman, together with Robert Langdon, an exciseman, had seized the ship, boat and cargo.
There were on board the said vessel 22 stout, able seamen, ball, and port holes for 16 guns (which we suppose were thrown overboard from them, and other convenient circumstances.
We have every reason to believe this cargo was intended to have been seen on the coasts of this Kingdom.
About 762 of the ankers & half-ankers are saved and secured in a proper warehouse at Instow Quay (the Kings Warehouse then being insufficient to contain the same) under the same locks of the customs and excise, and agents for proprietors, when they will abide your honours determination, and there is great reason to think that the vessel will also be got off and secured in a fair tide.
We think it necessary to acquaint your Honours, that when Mr Collack came to the said vessel yesterday morning, he found Mr Grant the Collector of Bideford then taking a very active part in giving directions respecting landing the said cargo (although he was never requested by the seizing officer so to do), who continued to act for some considerable time after this arrival as he had done before, & insisted he would put a f~?~ lock on the warehouse in which the cargo was secured.
The Collector humbly submits to your Honours the impropriety of the Collector of one port, acting authoritatively unrecognised, within the limits of another, and in the present instance, he cannot but concede is as a great infringement on his privileges, and a great insult on his understanding.
We therefore humbly solicit your Honours will be pleased to take this whole matter into your consideration, and give such direction to Mr Grant, on the occasion as may be the means of preventing any future disputes between the 2 Collectors, which will mention perhaps give your Honours much trouble, and must unavoidably send to the injury of both parties, with the weakening the interests of that Revenue, which is in their duty jointly to support.
We request your Honours speedy directions respecting the said ship and cargo for our government therein.
We are, &c,
J.T.
J.M.
(ref: CUST 69/99, entry #85)

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1800 March 05
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
Inclosed we transmit your Hono[u]rs an account of seizures made at this Port, from 10th February last, to 5th instant, and we beg leave to state that the occupier of the house, where the goods in question were seized, is a poor labouring man with a large family, that they were not found under lock, and that he hath offered to make oath they were lodged there without his privity. We have great reason to believe the property belongs to the owner of the house, who hath long been suspected of such proceedings.
We feel it our duty to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that the practice of smuggling is increased to so great a degree in this town, that we understand from good authority there are more than fifty houses concerned in vending such goods which are brought here by land after night in large quantities, strongly guarded.
On the 4th instant, the acting collector procured information against six of those houses, and taking with him a writ of assistance, a constable and five officers, he proceeded to search them, on the first of which the said seizure was made, and we believe a much larger quantity wou[l]d have been seized in the other houses, if an alarm had not been given to the parties concerned before the officers could arrive, as some empty casks from which spirits had evidently been first before secured were there found.
We find it a common practice with those vendors to keep one anker of spirits in some open room prepared for drawing off, & on being examined, they produce excise permits for such a quantity as they have previously purchased as some excise sale, under colour of which permits they carry on their fraudulent trade in defiance of any Revenue Officer to detect or prevent them; this evil we humbly presume loudly calls for legislative redress.
The great countenance given to smuggling by almost all the inhabitants of this place, renders it extremely difficult to obtain any well grounded information, but your Hono[u]rs may be assured we shall not only give it in strict charge to all the officers under our survey, but shall also use our utmost personal exertions in endeavouring to suppress a practice, so very impunious both to the Revenue and the fair trader.
(ref: CUST 69/70, entry #20)

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1800 July 24
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Mr William Hooper, boatman of His Majesty’s boat at Appledore in the Port of Barnstaple.
In pursuance of an order of the Honourable Commissioners of His Majestys Customs, dated the eighteenth day of July 1800. We charge you.
First – That in the month of May last, you absented yourself from duty twenty days without obtaining any leave for that purposes, and,
Secondly – That in the month of June following, you absented yourself from duty in the like manner, twelve days without obtaining such leave.
To which several matters you are hereby required to make a plain and distinct answer in writing on or before the 28th day of July instant, taking care to avoid all scurrilous or abusive expressions.
John Pitt, act[in]g collector
John Wood Oram, cont[roller]
(ref: CUST 69/70, entry #1)

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1800 July 29
From William Hooper, Appledore, to Custom house Barnstaple
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
Having rec[eive]d an order from the Collector & Controller of the Port of Barnstaple, to answer to a charge of having absented myself from duty without leave, twenty days in the month of May last, and twelve days in the month of June last. I beg leave in answer to the said charges humbly to state to your Honours:
That in the beginning of the month of May last, finding myself violently attack[e]d with rheumatic pains, particularly in my right leg, which was swelled to a considerable degree, and my right arm, which I had scarcely any use of, I became incapable of doing my duty in His Majesty’s boat to which I belong, and judging that time and rest were the only means of my recovery, I engaged with Thomas Beavans, one of the Tidesmen at Appledore to do duty in my stead, till I should again be able to take it upon myself, for which I agreed to pay him out of my own salary, and my absence during the twelve days in June was on the same account. But being now happily recovered, I am returned to my duty, which I hope will have no future interruptions, and trust your Honours will be pleased to regard what I have now stated as the only occasion of my supposed neglect. I am, Hon[oura]ble Sir, 
Your dutifull h[um]ble serv[an]t,
William Hooper, boatman
(ref: CUST 69/70, entry #2)

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No date
At a hearing on a charge given to William Hooper, a boatman belonging to the Kings Boat at Appledore in the Port of Barnstaple, by order of the Hon[oura]ble Board of Customs at the Custom House of the said Port, the 1st August 1800, before John Pitt, act[in]g collector, and John Wood Oram, controller.
Mr John Atchinson Tidesurveyor or having the command of the said boat, acquaints the Collector and Controller that William Hooper aforesaid was absent from his duty twenty days in the month of May last, and twelve days in the month of June following, without assigning to him any reasons for such absence. That during the days he was so absent, Thomas Sommers Bavans, a boatman on the Bideford establishment, residing at Appledore, attended the Kings Boat and performed the duty for him. That he believes the said William Hooper was in some measure confined by sickness, but having omitted to make a proper return thereof, he could not insert the same in his monthly accounts.
[signed] John Atchison, Tide Surveyor
(ref: CUST 69/70, entry #3)

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No date
William Hooper, the person accused, having heard the allegations of the Tide Surveyor, produces in his defence the following evidence:
Thomas Sommers Bavins, a boatman on the Bideford establishment, residing at Appledore in the Port of Barnstaple saith: That some time in the month of May last, the said William Hooper applied to him to perform his duty for him in the Kings Boat, during the time he was confined by indisposition, and agreed to pay him, the said Thomas Sommers Bavins three shillings p[e]r week for such service, that every day the said William Hooper was absent from duty, he attended for him, and received the stipulated allowance for the same. That he saw the said William Hooper about five or six days during the time he was so confined, and verily believes he was so very much indisposed, as to be thereby rendered unable to attend or execute his duty the time he was absent, therefrom in the month of May and June last.
[signed] Thomas Beavens.
(ref: CUST 69/70, entry #4)

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1800 Aug 07
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs order of the 18th ultimo, we have charged William Hooper a boatman belonging to the Kings Boat stationed at Appledore in the Port, for absconding himself twenty days in the month of May, and twelve days in the month of June last, without leave, & inclosed we have sent your Hono[u]rs the said charge together with his answer & the evidence of John Atchison Tidesurveyor and Thomas Summers Beavins, boatman, relative thereto, on which we beg leave to observe:
That the defendant having rested his excuse wholly on indisposition, we can conceive why he shou[l]d have neglected to acquaint the Tidesurveyor with his situation, as in that case the duty must have been provided for without any care or expense resting on him, something however his statement to be true, we are disposed to attribute it to his ignorance of the nature of the service.
That it appears from the testimony of the Tidesurveyor and Thomas Summers Bavins, the duty of the office was constantly performed by the latter during the absence of the defend[an]t without any expense to the Crown, but the commuting the services of one officer for another without your Hono[u]rs cognizance & approbation must be considered as a measure highly censurable & evidently implies some improper proceeding.
That we find on enquiry the defendant occupied a small farm near Appledore & altho[ugh] from the evidence we are inclined to think he may have been sick during some part of the time he was absent from duty, yet we are apprehensive the avocations of the farm have occupied the greater part of it.
That the defendants allowance being 1s p[er] dien(?) by incidents we shall pay him only for the days on which he actually attended, and as Bavins has an established salary of £20 p[er] ann[um], we presume he cannot be allowed any thing from the Crown unless your Hono[u]rs shou[l]d think fit to grant him the usual allowance of 1p p[er] night during the time he has performed the duty of watching.
We beg leave to add that we know of nothing which may in any degree reflect on the character of the defendant & that he has never been individually charged before, but in conjunction with the other three boatmen, was charged by your Hono[u]rs order of 27 July 1797 for neglecting to secure the stores of the Kings Boat, in consequence of which the fore & mizen sails & mizen mast were stolen, & received a severe reprimand for the same.
All which is humbly submitted by, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/70, entry #54)

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1801 Jan 10
[From] No.1 Custom House, Ilfracombe.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
We duly rec[eive]d Mr Humes letter No.78 of the 11th ult[im]o inclosing one writ of delivery for the spirits seized and brought in here by Lieut Sharp of His Majestys armed cutter Dover, but therein is no order for selling the sloop Endeavour, in which it was captured.
We humbly beg leave to represent to your Hono[u]rs that this sloop us carvel built, has a deck, and is not calculated for a smuggling vessel, but with all due submission, we by leave to state, that she is well calculated for the fishery, and if your Hon[ou]rs shall think fit to order her to be sold entire, it will be advantageous to the Crown, the seizing officer and his crew.
Waiting your Hono[u]rs directions for our government, we are hon[oura]ble Sirs, &c, &c.
(ref: CUST 69/170)

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1804 July 20
[From Customs house Barnstaple, to Customs house London].
We beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that on Wednesday 18th instant, the Shark cutter, commanded by Mr William Mathews, returned to this port, after a cruise of four days, bringing in with her a new sloop called the Betsy of Fowey, burthen 78 tons register, John Sweetman master, having on board about 500 kegs of spirits & a few cases of wine, which she captured the preceding evening in Bude Bay, within the port of Padstow, while in the act of landing, in the presence of Mr Hackett an Officer of Excise, who the commander & mate inform us, was actually aiding and assisting the smugglers.
The tides not being sufficiently high to bring the prize to the Custom House Quay for unlading, she remains for a few days at Appledore within this Port, alongside the Shark, under guard of the crew and four Tidesmen, the Collector having immediately on her arrival caused the hatches to be fasten[e]d down with irons and locks, and placed his seals thereon. As soon as the cargo is landed, we shall transmit your Hono[u]rs the particulars in the usual printed account.
We are truly concerned to state to your Hono[u]rs a melancholy accident which occurred on the night of the arrival of the prize, by the death of Joseph Perryman, one of the four Tidesmen boarded thereon, who was found the next morning floating near the vessel, with a wound in one side of his neck, & his face and eyes much bruised. The Coroner’s inquest has been taken on the body, and a verdict of wilful murder by persons unknown delivered.
We have taken every possible method to investigate the circumstances, & have caused the body to be since examined by an eminent physician and surgeon, and are most thoroughly convinced that the deceased fell overboard accidentally in the course of the night, was stunned by the fall, which occasioned the bruises he has, and was drowned.
We feel it our duty to represent to your Hono[u]rs that the Collector was yesterday met at Appledore by Mr Grant, Collector of the adjoining port of Bideford, who informed him that on the night the accident happened, a boat came alongside the prize & was laden with part of the cargo, which was carried into the Port of Bideford, & that he had no doubt the officer deceased, lost his life by not acceding to the measure.
We are perfectly convinced this was a fabrication formed for the especial purpose of pointing out to your Hono[u]rs the insecurity of prizes at Appledore, but as the charge is so very serious as not only to involve the parties concerned in a most solemn breach of duty, but also with imbruing their hands in the blood of their fellow officer, we feel ourselves imperiously called upon to deliver them separate charges, which after a proper examination & receiving their answers, we shall transmit your Hono[u]rs, with such observations as may occur thereon, being extremely anxious to use our best endeavo[u]rs, as well to relieve the innocent, as to punish the guilty.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/71, entry #63)

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1804
John Wood Oram, Comp[trolle]r, ten pounds, fourteen shillings and three pence [£10.14s.3d]
John Moule, Surveyor, six pounds and eighteen shillings [£6.18s.0d]
William Lock, Landing Waiter, eleven pounds and two shillings [£11.2s.0d]
Sam[ue]l Bremridge, Landing Waiter, eleven pounds, seventeen shillings and six pence [£11.17s.6d]
(ref: CUST 69/102)

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1804 July 27
[From] Custom house, London.
Gentlemen, 
Having read your l[ette]r of the 20 ins[tant] No.63, and also two from the Coll[ecto]r & Comp[trolle]r of Bideford respecting the Betsey cutter, and her cargo of spirits, &c, seized by the Shark, cutter in the service of this Revenue at your Port, and brought to Appledore.
As the seizure is now within the limits of your Port, we direct you to cause it to be conveyed thither, and secured, and to prosecute the vessel and goods in the Exchequer, and in so doing to correspond with our Solicitor, and the Register of Seizures, taking care to return the same in your next printed account of seizures, and to refer therein to the date of this order for the prosecution.
With respect to Hackett the Excise Officer, who is stated to have been present and aiding and assisting the smugglers, we have caused his conduct to be stated to the Commissioners of the Excise, but we have deferred considering the other parts of your letter until the charges mentioned by you, to have been given to some of the Officers of this Revenue, in regard of this seizure shall have been received, but which you should not have delivered without first apprizing us of their delinquency and receiving our orders thereon.
Tho[ma]s Boone
W[ilia]m Roe
R. Frewin
F.F. Luttrell
(ref: CUST 69/102, page 195, entry #68)

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1804 Aug 23
[From] Custom house London.
Gentlemen,
The Comm[issione]rs direct you to apply to the Coroner for copies of the examinations taken before him, respecting the death of Perryman, the Tidew[aite]r boarded on the Shark’s prize & of the inquisition thereon and transmit the same for the Board’s further consideration.
I am, &c,
H[enr]y Hutson, pro Secr[etar]y
(ref: CUST 69/102, entry #399, No.85)

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1804 Aug 23:
From Custom house London, to Custom house Barnstaple
Gentlemen,
Having read your letter of the 16th inst, No.79, transmitting an estimate for a new cable for the Shark cutter in the service of this Revenue at your port at 72 shillings per cwt.
You may cause the said cable to be provided on the best and cheapest terms, not exceeding the estimate transmitted, the commander and mate taking care the works are duly preformed, and when the same shall be finished in every respect fit for the service required you are to transmit the bill, accompanied with the usual certificates.
A Munroe
J Bullen
F F Luttrell
R Frewin
(ref: CUST 69/102, entry #400, No.86)

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1805 Mar 15
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
We beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that the Shark, Revenue Cruiser, has seized and bro[ugh]t into this Port a large smuggling lugger called the Dart of Fowey, Barnaby Ferran master from Guernsey, laden with spirits, tobacco & pepper, which has been landed and secured under our joint locks; and as soon as the quantity can be ascertained by the proper officers, we shall transmit your Hono[u]rs a regular return of the same in the usual form.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.22)

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1805 June 10
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that the Shark, Revenue Cruiser, is arrived at this Port from a cruise with the Lottery, lugger of Fowey, John Dillon master, having on board 506 ankers of brandy, rum & gineva, and 2 bags [of] pepper, which she seized about 4 leagues N.N.W. of the Harbour of Padstow, for being found hovering within eight leagues of the coast.
The cargo has been safely landed and secured in proper warehouses under our joint locks, and as soon as the same has been gauged by the proper officers, we shall make a return of the seizure in the usual printed form.
The commander has reported to us that during his cruise he also seized two other Luggers, viz: the Steed of Fowey, Samuel Furze master, which after having chased several days, he found off New Key Pier in the act of ballasting, with several boats belonging to New Key which had evidently been aiding & assisting in landing the cargo, & having no names on their sterns, the commander seized them & the lugger, and gave positive orders to the master not to weigh his anchor at his peril, as from the small number of the crew he was unable to leave any men on board the whole being employed on shore in searching for the cargo, during which the lugger weighed her anchor and sailed to the westward.
The other lugger was the Union of Fowey, [blank] Marks master, which the commander of the Shark after manoeuvring for 3 days, discovered at night close in shore off Bassetts Cove, and to prevent her escaping, he ran her on board under fire of his guns & musquetry, during which several musquets were fired at a short distance from the lugger, which proved to be a boat belonging to the Dolphin cutter of Saint Ives then in pursuing her, on the Shark grappling the lugger with her starboard anchor (in the act of which the iron stock was broke and carried away) a man on board the lugger called out a prize, on which the Shark ceased firing, the crew concerning the prize their own, and it blowing very fresh, they immediately proceeded to clear both vessels so as to get off shore, by cutting the miz[z]en gear of the lugger away, when another man called out the Dolphins prize d**n [presumably ‘damn’ intended!] your eyes, which proved to be Mr Ferris first mate of the Dolphin who taking the opportunity of the two vessels being foul of each other, & the darkness of the night got on board the other side with two boat’s crews, and took the lugger from them.
As soon as the vessels were clear of each other, the commander of the Shark went on board the lugger when Mr Ferris with a deal of warmth told him he had no business there, he was first on board & considered her his prize, being both officers under direction of your Hono[u]rs, the Commander thought it not prudent to contend with him, but has requested us to submit the circumstances of the case to your Hono[u]rs, having no doubts but that you will at least consider him entitled to a moiety of this seizure, considering about 200 ankers of spirits which had been carried into Saint Ives, the lugger having while in chase thrown overboard great part of her cargo.
We further beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that as it will require some time to repair the damage sustained by the Shark, & the Commander has information of the smuggling vessels being on the coast, he has desired us to request your Hono[u]rs permission for him in the meantime to cruise on the Lottery lugger, which is 58 tons of register, quite new and supposed to be one of the fastest sailing vessels in the smuggling trade. We humbly concur that such a measure is in every respect calculated for the interest of the revenue as the smugglers in general would have no suspicion of her being in the service.
Waiting your honours directions for our government, we are etc,
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.59)

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1805 June 12
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs order by Mr Hutson’s minute of the 24th ult[im]o, on the enclosed application of Mr Clevland inspecting some elephants teeth [*] and wine, stranded on his Royalty within the limits of this port, we humbly report that we know nothing more of the elephants teeth in question than from common report, that they had been taken up on some part of the said Royalty, and sold to a Jew, from whom they were afterwards recovered by Mr Clevlands, but as they are liable to a heavy duty, and it would be difficult if not impossible to ascertain how they came to the place when they were found, we do not conceive they can legally be removed without payment of duty.
With respect to the wine we have already by our letter of the 14th June 1804, laid before your Hono[u]rs the whole of our proceedings, and had the pleasure of receiving your Hono[u]rs approbation, we find on enquiry that the demand made by Mr Clevland, for every vessel wrecked on his Royalty is five guineas, which sum has been claimed by his steward from the agent to the proprietors, who we understand has consented to pay the same, which we consider a full compensation, as no inquiry whatever was sustained or any trespass committed.
We are, &c,
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.60)

[*] The elephants teeth (i.e. ivory tusks) were probably part of the cargo of a vessel called the Juba. She was wrecked on Saunton Sands on 12th December 1770, on a voyage from Africa to Bristol, carrying palm oil and elephants teeth. Her crew of 12 were all drowned.

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1805 May 14
[From] J Clevland, Somerset Street [London?, to Custom house Barnstaple].
Having recovered a few elephants teeth which were taken up in the sands of my Royalty, in the parish of Braunton Devon, and carried to Barnstaple & sold to a Jew, I take the liberty of troubling you to ask the opinion of the Comm[issione]rs of the Customs whether I am obliged to pay any duty before I remove them, as I wish to get them sent to London. They have probably been under my sands from 25 to 30 years, & last year’s storms have drove them in shore, and they have been since dug up.
I have also to beg you will mention to the Comm[issione]rs that this last winter, a vessel from Guernsey bound to Bristol called the Eliz[abe]th, William Canking master, laden with wines and many other things, which was stranded upon the said Royalty, and lately the cargo has been sold at Barnstaple by order of the Board of Customs, upon which my steward laid in a claim of one eighth for me as Lord of the Manor, and the Coll[ecto]r of the Customs Mr Pitts as Barnstaple said he should refer it to the Comm[issione]rs which I suppose he has done. There were eight pipes of port wine saved on my Royalty besides part of two casks of sherry, as they told me on the spot where I could not gain admittance, as the door was locked and sealed, without leaving me a key or any admittance, and a very few days after, the Collector removed the whole without asking my leave, & carried it to the Custom House at Barnstaple.
I am Sir, your most obedient servant, J Clevland.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.60)

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1805 May 17
To the Solicitor, by order of the Comm[issione]rs, T.H. Hutson.
I submit that this representation may be sent to the Coll[ecto]r and Comp[trolle]r of Barnstaple for their observations.
W Cooper, 20 May 1805
The Coll[ecto]r and Comp[trolle]r of Barnstaple are to report accordingly.
By order of the Commissioners, T.H. Hutson.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.60)

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1805 Jun 15
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
Inclosed we transmit your Hono[u]rs an account of expenses that have attended the seizure, removal and sale of a seizure of 2178 gallons brandy, 560 gallons run, 1202 gallons gineva, 3 cases of wine, and 10 barrels tar, made by the Shark, Revenue cruiser, & James Lang act[in]g landw[aite]r the 3rd & 17th July 1804, amounting to twenty seven pounds fifteen shillings & seven pence {£27.15s.7d], which we humbly pray your Hono[u]rs order to pay and take credit for, out of the gross proceeds of the sale.
We are, &c,
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.64)

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1805 Jun 15
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
We beg leave to represent to your Hono[u]rs that we have not received any order for payment of our preparatory account of disbursements for the Shark cutter in Michaelmas quar[ter] last transmitted in our letter of the 16th November 1804, No.118, amounting to seventy eight pounds thirteen shillings and ten pence [£78.13s.10d], nor for payment of our preparatory account of inudents(?) for the same quarter transmitted in our letter of the 7th November, No.114, amounting to twenty one pounds seven shillings & one halfpenny [£21.7s.0½d], and the several tradesmen interested in those accounts having repeatedly applied to us complaining of the inconveniences to which they are subject from the delay, we humbly request your Hono[u]rs will be pleased to furnish us with the necessary orders for paying the same.
We are, &c,
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.65)

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1805 Jun 19
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Humes letter of the 14th ult[imo] respecting the application of Mr Thomas Hogg for a new certificate of registry for the brig Favourite, of this port, in lieu of one stated to have been lost, we beg to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that we understand every possible enquiry and search has been made by Mr Hogg, in order to recover the old Register, without effect, to the truth of which he has since made the further inclosed affidavit before us, but we cannot by any means discover the manner in which the certificate in question was lost, tho[ugh] we have no reason to suspect any thing improper on the part of the Petitioner.
We are, &c,
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.67)

I, Thomas Hogg, merchant & part owner of the brigantine called the Favourite of Barnstaple, of the burthen of ninety tons, do voluntarily swear that I have made the most diligent search, and every possible enquiry after the registry of the said vessel, without effect, and I do further promise and swear that should the register be found by me, or any other person, so as I can obtain information of it, that I will immediately return it, or give the information therof to his Majestys Customs. So help me God.
[signed] Tho[ma]s Hogg
Sworn before us May 20, 1805.
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.67)

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1805 June 29
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs order of the 19th instant, we beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that the Commander of the Shark cruiser has reported to us, that the whole of the crew where [sic] on board at the seizure of the Lottery lugger on the 4th instant, except Thomas Marshall seaman, who was sent on duty to Swanzey with the smack Mary Ann of Fowey, detained by the Shark for having an illegal bowsprit and jib.
We think it necessary to add that your Hono[u]rs general order of the 19th July 1797, was not transmitted to this Port, there being no cruizer then stationed here.
We are, &c,
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.69)

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1805 July 04
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
We beg leave to transmit your Hono[u]rs inclosed the petition of John Fisher, master of a small sloop called the Tenby Packet, registered at the Port of Ilfracombe, but now belonging to this port, setting forth the loss of his Certificate of Registry, and praying your Hono[u]rs order for granting him a new one in lieu thereof.
We have likewise inclosed the affidavits of the said John Fisher, & of Elizabeth Fisher, sole owner of the said sloop, and we humbly report that we are fully satisfied of the truth of the matter, to which they have deposed, and that no fraud whatever is intended.
We are, &c,
J.P.
P.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.71)

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1805 June 30 
[From John Fisher, Appledore, Devon, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
May this Honourable Board be pleased to condescend to allow their attention to the humble memorial of John Fisher, master of the sloop named the Tenby Packet, belonging to Appledore within the Port of Barnstaple, which showeth unto your Hono[u]rs that on the twelfth day of April last past going on board of the said sloop then at Plymouth in the boat belonging to her, his pocket book in which he had placed the Certificate of the Registry of the said sloop, together with other documents relating to the said sloops cargo discharged and received on board by some accident, but now your humble petitioner cannot account fell from between his waistcoat and shirt, where he had put it, believing it secure – but on coming on board to his great surprise discovered it was lost – but how or in what manner, your humble petitioner is at a loss to account, though the conjectures it must have fall[e]n out on his going into the boat. Your humble petitioner therefore prayeth your Hono[u]rs will be pleased so to consider his unfortunate loss, as to condescend to allow your permission and licence for his obtaining another Certificate of Registry for the purposes of enabling him again to proceed to sea, your petitioner begs your Hono[u]rs leave for subscribing himself.
Hono[u]rable Sirs, your hono[u]rs most obedient humble servant,
John Fisher.

John Fisher of Appledore in the County of Devon, mariner, master of a sloop called the Tenby Packet, of the burthen of eighteen tons, registered at the Port of Ilfracombe the 28th day of June 1791, and Elizabeth Fisher of Appledore aforesaid, widow, sole owner of the said sloop, jointly and severally make oath and say:
And first the said John Fisher for himself saith: That on the twelfth day of April last, he, this deponent attended at the Custom House at Plymouth, and cleared out the said vessel, with laths bound to Barnstaple having with him the Certificate of Registry belonging to the said vessel, which was contained in his pocket book, together with the clearance he had obtained for the said cargo, that he, this deponent, returned on board his said vessel by means of his boar, and on coming on board, perceived he had lost his pocket book containing the Register and Clearance before mentioned, that this deponent remained two days afterwards at Plymouth making every possible enquiry, and advertising a reward for the recovery of the said documents, without effect.
And this deponent further saith: That he verily believes the said Pocket book fell into the sea while he was going from the shore on board the said vessel. That he cannot find the Certificate of Registry granted for the said vessel, and does not know where the same now is, or what is become thereof, and that the same hath not been, nor shall be, with his privity or knowledge sold or disposed of to any person [or] persons whatsoever.
And the said Elizabeth Fisher for herself, saith: That the Certificate of Registry belonging to the said vessel, of which she is sole owner, has been lost in manner before mentioned. That she does not know where the same is, or what become thereof, and that the same has not been, nor shall be, with her privity or knowledge sold or disposed of to any person or persons whatsoever.
[signed]: John Fisher, Elizabeth Fisher
Sworn at the Custom House, Barnstaple, the 26th day of June 1805, before us,
J.P. Coll[ector]
J.W.O. Comp[troll]er
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.71)

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1805 July 08
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In observance of your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Humes letter of the 3rd instant, respecting John Randall, a boatman at this Port, who has petitioned to be placed on the Superannuated List. We humbly report that no duty whatever has been performed by that Officer within the last twelve months, nor for several years past, during all which time he has laboured under severe illness.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.72)

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1805 July 09
[From Collector at Barnstaple, to Customs Board London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Humes letter of the 26th ultimo, we beg leave to transmit your Hono[u]rs on the back hereof, an account of the money remaining due from the Crown to Mr William Jerrard, late Commander of the Shark, Revenue Cruizer, out of which the Collector has advanced to Mr Jerrard, twenty five pounds during the time of her being left here in extreme distress by the strange circumstance of her husbands absconding.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.

Salary due to Mr W[ilia]m Jerrard from 3rd Aug[us]t 1802, to 23rd January 1803, at £50 per annum - £24.9s.0¼d.
Victualling the crew of Shark in Michaelmas quar[ter] - £37.17s.0d.
Ditto in Christmas ditto - £56.8s.0d.
Ditto in Lady Day 1803 - £18.12s.7d.
Fire & candle in Mich[aelma]s 1802 - £1.7s.0d.
Ditto in Christmas - £2.0s.4d.
Ditto in Lady Day 1803 - £0.9s.8d.
Total = £141.3s.4¼d.

Sums paid out of the above p[er] the Hon[oura]ble Boards order of the 18th Sept 1804.
To Henry Wilkinson for beer - £3.15s.6d.
W[ilia]m Fisher for bread - £3.10s.0d.
Net sum due = £133.17s.10¼d

N.B. There are a number of bills remaining due from Mr Jerrard to sundry butchers, bakers, &c, who furnished the Shark with victuals during the time he commanded her.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.73)

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1805 July 12
Custom house Barnstaple, to Customs Board London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs, 
In pursuance of your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Humes letter of the 26th ult[im]o inclosed, we transmit your Hono[u]rs a copy of the Certificate of Registry of the sloop Betsey of Fowey, seized by the Shark cutter of this Port, the 17th July 1804, and condemned in the Exchequer in Hilary Term 1805, together with an exact inventory of her materials, and we humbly report that the said sloop is British built, about one year old, with a clenchwork bottom, and is in very good condition, having received no sort of injury but what has arisen from her being exposed to the sun and weather since her seizure, that she is of a sharp construction and cannot take the ground without support, from whence we concluded she is not altogether calculated for the mercantile trade, but as she is a very complete fast sailing vessel, we conceive she might be employed in the service with considerable advantage to the Revenue in any instance where expedition is requisite.
We think it necessary to acquaint your Hono[u]rs, that a person was lately sent here by the Navy’s Board to survey the sloop in question, and that she was much approved of by him for Government service.
We are, Hon[oura]ble Sirs, your faithful and most obed[ien]t & h[um]ble servants,
T Pitt
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, No.75)

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1805 Aug 14
From William Matthews, Shark cutter, Appledore [to Custom house Barnstaple].
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
I most respectfully beg leave to state to your Hon[oura]ble Board, that altho[ugh] the Shark cutter in your Hono[u]rs service, during the short period I have had the honour to command, has been successful beyond expectation, as your Hono[u]rs will perceive by the many valuable seizures she has made in the last 13 months, yet there is reason to suppose that she wo[ul]d have been still more so, if her compliment of men would have enabled us to employ the boats more frequent, having only 14 hands including myself, mate & boy. It is impossible to send out more than one boat at a time without disabling the cutter, and when that boats crew returns after being out perhaps two or three nights and days, which has often been the case, we have not had sufficient hands on board to relieve them, indeed I have often been so situated as to be obliged to be left in the cutter with only the boy, having no deputed mariner, & the mate so frequently either on service in the boats, or on shore, have absolutely not had my cloaths off for a fortnight, together & notwithstanding all my exertions have had the mortification to see many valuable seizures escape, as a remarkable instance of which occurred in that of the Heed lugger, as has been already stated to your Hon[oura]ble Board.
I trust your Hono[u]rs will preserve that the cutter is not completely effective with her present comp[limen]t of men, & that you under these circumstances will be pleased to allow an augmentation of 2 additional hands, & take the liberty of making this request with the greater confidence, because I am convinced that this additional charge upon the Revenue will be amply repaid by the additional services we shall have it in our power to render.
I have the hono[u]r to be hon[oura]ble Sirs, yours most faithfully to serve,
William Matthews
(ref: CUST 69/72)

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1805 Aug 20
Inclosed we transmit your Hono[u]rs a letter from Mr William Matthews, Commander of the Shark cruiser, stationed at this Port, representing the necessity of augmenting the number of his crew, and praying your Hono[u]rs to allow him two additional hands. We humbly report that we have perfectly satisfied of the necessity and utility of the proposed measure, should your Hono[u]rs be pleased to approve thereof.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #80)

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1805 Aug 12
From William Matthews, Shark cutter, Appledore [to Custom house Barnstaple].
I beg leave to represent to you that the Shark cutter under my command, is in want of a supply of gunpowder, and I therefore request you will be pleased to crave the same from the Hon[oura]ble Board, as speedily as possible.
I am, Gentlemen, with due respect, y[ou]r most obed[ien]t h[umble] ser[van]t,
William Mathews
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #80)

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1805 Aug 20
From Custom house Barnstaple, to Customs Board London.
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
The Commander of the Shark cruiser, stationed at this port, having represented to us by his inclosed letter, that he is in immediate want of a fresh supply of gunpowder, we humbly request your Hono[u]rs will be pleased to cause the same to be forwarded to us.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #81)

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1805 Aug 19
To the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of His Majestys Customs.
The petition of Elizabeth Walters of Ilfracombe in the County of Devon, widow of the late Samuel Walters, boat builder, humbly sheweth:
That your petitioners husband was employed to repair the Shark cutter in the service of the Customs, and her boats, while lying at Ilfracombe, as appears by the bill of particulars herewith transmitted, which have been certified by the Commander.
That your petitioner having applied to the Collector and Comptroller at Barnstaple for payment of the said charges, is informed by them that as the bill was not given in at the end of the quarter, they cannot pay the same without your Hono[u]rs special order.
That the severe illness and subsequent death of your petitioners husband was the cause of the bill not being achieved in due time, and as the work was regularly performed, and your petitioner is left with a family of three children to provide for, she humbly requests your Hono[u]rs will be pleased to give the necessary directions for paying her the amount of the said charges, and your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray, &c.
[signed] Elizabeth Walters
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #81)

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1805 Aug 20
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
Honourable Sirs,
Inclosed we transmit your Hono[u]rs the petition of Elizabeth Walters, widow of late Samuel Walters of Ilfracombe, boat builder, praying your Hono[u]rs order for payment of a bill due to her husband for repairs of the Shark cutter and her boats, while laying at Ilfracombe, and we humbly report that we believe the said bill to be strictly just, and that the circumstances of the Sharks being ordered round to Plymouth to be repair[e]d, prevented the Commander from collecting & transmitting the same to us in due time, to be forwarded to your Hono[u]rs with our quarterly account of disbursements.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #82)

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1805 Aug 24
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
We beg leave to represent to your Hono[u]rs that on the 28th May last, the Commander of the Shark cruiser stationed at this port, seized at sea and sent into Swanzey the Mary Ann of Fowey, for having an illegal bowsprit and jib, which vessel was delivered into the charge of the Collector and Comp[trolle]r of that port, as appears from their enclosed letter to the Commander.
We lately applied to them at the commander's request, desiring to be informed if any, and what, directions had been received from your Hono[u]rs respecting the said vessel, when we received their enclosed letter, stating that in consequence of the masters having altered the bowsprit and jib, she had been permitted to sail for Saint Ives with a cargo of coals.
The Commander of the Shark conceiving that the subsequent alteration of the vessel in question could not remove the forfeiture which had been incurred, has requested us to submit the above circumstances for your Hono[u]rs consideration and directions.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #84)

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1805 July 29
[From] Custom house, Swanzey, [to Custom house Barnstaple].
Gentlemen, 
In return to your letter of the 25th ins[tan]t desiring to be informed whether any, and what, directions have been received from the Board respecting the Mary Ann of Fowey, sent in here by the Commander of the Shark, we acquaint you that the master having altered the bowsprit and jib, she was permitted to sail with a cargo of coals for Saint Ives, and has taken a second cargo from hence.
We are, Gentlemen, your most humble servants,
Sam[ue]l Hancorne
E. King
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #84)

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1805 Aug 24
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
By an endorsement made by us the 12th ins[tan]t, on a Certificate of Registry No.2, granted at this port the 30th January 1799 for the William, William Lobbett was appointed master vice Philip Lobbett.
By another endorsement made by us the 21st ins[tan]t, on a Certificate of Registry No.1, granted at this port the 29th March 1802 for the Hope, George Jones was appointed master vice Robert Landman.
By another endorsement made by us the same day on a Certificate of Registry No.7, granted at this port the 25 September 1786, William Fry was appointed master vice Henry Trapnell.
And by an endorsement made at Ilfracombe the 19th ins[tan]t, on a Certificate of Registry No.7, granted at this port the 20th November 1802, Richard Gibbs was appointed master vice John Scott.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #85)

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1805 Aug 24
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that the Riding Officer of this Port, has reported to us that three casks of damage[e]d French red wine have been washed on shore within his district, on the several Royalties of John P Chichester esq, Mrs Mackenzie, and Philip Rogers Webber esq, the two former of whom have suffered him to have a joint custody of the casks on their premises, but the latter has refused to permit him to have any charge of the cask on his Royalty, or even to examine and guage the same, alledging that he has no rights whatever so to do.
We understand that the casks in question are all ullage casks containing in the whole about 100 gallons, and from the sample brought to us by the officer, we are persuaded is not worth the duties.
We humbly request your Hono[u]rs directions for our government, and are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #86)

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1805 Aug 29
[From] Edw[ar]d Harris, John Cudlipp, Braunton, to the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of His Majestys Customs.
The humble petition of Edward Harris, merch[an]t and John Cudlipp, mariner, both of Braunton and County of Devon, respectfully sheweth,
That your petitioners are owners of a new built sloop called the Agenoria, lately registered at the Port of Barnstaple, employed in the coasting trade.
That a small boat built for, and belonging to the said sloop, was a few days since sent by your petitioners from Braunton Pill within Barnstaple river to Appledore, for the purpose of being painted and marked, but before the same could be accomplished, she was seized by the Tidesurveyor for not having the sloops name marked on her stern, according to law.
That as the boat in question is in no wise calculated for any illicit trade, or was ever intended to be employed but for the use of the said sloop, and as the circumstances of her seizure cannot attach the smallest idea of fraud on the part of your petitioners, they presume to submit their case to your Hono[u]rs consideration, and humbly solicit your Hono[u]rs will be pleased to direct her to be restored, and your petitioners as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c,
[signed] Edw[ar]d Harris, John Cudlipp.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #87)

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1805 Sept 07
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that since our letter of the 9th July last, No.73, respecting the money due from the Crown to Mr William Jerrard, late Commander of the Shark cruiser on this station, the Collector has received a letter from Mrs Jerrard stating that she is now living with her husband at Kirk Andrews in the Isle of Man, & requested that his accounts may be settled.
We therefore humbly pray your Hono[u]r’s directions for our government, and are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #94)

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1805 Sept 30
[From] William Matthews, Commander [of the Shark] at Appledore, [to Customs house Barnstaple].
Gentlemen,
In answer to yours of the 29th ins[an]t requesting a proof of the Heed, lugger of Fowey, Sam[ue] Furze master, having smuggled spirits on the coast of Cornwall at a place called New Quay, I beg leave to refer you to the Sharks log of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of June wherein you will find that on the 1st of June, we discovered 2 la[r]ge luggers standing in for the Land, one of which was the Heed, and which was the very lugger we chased on the 2nd as p[er] log.
This lugger as we were inform[e]d by several of the people at New Quay, landed 500 ankers of spirits at a place near the Worms Head on the Welch Coast, and was chased off, part of this 500 ankers was seized near or on the spot of landing, and which seizure was carried to Swanzey in a sloop of Clovelly, masters name Beara, and we find by these same people, the said lugger landed 300 in the night, or rather morning, on the east side this bay (w[h]ere we found her ballasting with fishing boats, &c, &c, mentioned in the log of the 3rd of June) at a place called Porth, which is a la[r]ge creek, and on my going over to search, we saw the marks of the heads of the kegs in the land up at high water marke, and also the marks of a number of men and horses.
I was up at the town or village w[h]ere it were treated with a deal of contempt by a large body of people drunk, in short we had every proof of her landing spirits, but the sight of the kegs, and every exertion was made on our side to find it. We know also that the proprietors name was John Hicks, who lives about a quar[ter] of a mile on a small farm house on the s.w. side of this village, and where lodging and outhouses I myself and men searched every part that appeared suspicious. We know also that the kegs were sold (some of those 300) for 9 guineas the paire, at the waters side by the neigh[ourin]g farmers. I make no doubt but an affidavit might be obtained from some of those fishermen if an opportunity serve for us to get on shore when on the coast.
The other was the Union of Fowey, Marks master, which we chased also the two luggers mentioned in the log of the first of June.
If that an affidavit is required, be pleased say and I will use every endeavo[u]r to obtain one. I am informed there is five(?) luggers sailed from the port of Mevagissey, armed for their old trade. I sho[uld] suppose they are gone too Rosco as it is not only the nearest, but it’s the most unguarded coast for our cruisers for their coming into this channel, and altho[ugh] our compliment of men is her small should we be so fortunate as to fall in with any of them, which no time or exertion shall be lost so to do. I trust you will be fully convinced that I am, gentlemen, your most faithful and obed[ient] h[umble] serv[an]t,
William Matthews, Comm[ande]r.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #100)

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1805 Oct 10
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs order by Mr Hutsons letter of the 24th ult[im]o inclosed, we transmit your Houo[u]rs an account of the charges which have accrued at this port respectively on the Betsey cutter, and the Dart lugger, seized by the Shark cruiser in the service at this port, and directed by your Hono[u]rs order of the 4th instant, to be delivered to the Commissioners of the Navy.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #101)

= = = = = = = = =

1805 Oct 10
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Swainsons letter of the 4th instant, we humbly report that from the books of this office, it appears Mr George Needs, late mate of the Shark cutter in the service at this port, quitted her on the 9th March 1805.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #102)

= = = = = = = = =

1805 Oct 16
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In pursuance of your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Hutson’s letter of the 14th ult[im]o inclosed, we transmit your Hono[u]rs the plan and elevation of a warehouse proposed for the reception of spirits &c, imported and bonded under the Act of last Session c[h]ap 87 shewing its local situation and connection with the licensed quays & the Custom House, and we humbly report that we have in conjunction with the Collector of Excise at this port (who has received directions from that Board on the same subject) carefully examined the warehouse in question, and find that it corresponds exactly with the plan transmitted; that the walls are strongly built of brick and stone about eighteen inches thick, without any fireplaces, and as there are now two doorways, one adjoining the river, and the other on the inside of the courtlage with several windows as described in the elevation mark[e]d I, we are of opinion that by walling up those door ways and windows of the same thickness as the walls, leaving only one aperture for light, to be guarded by a strong iron grating and opening a proper doorway on the opposite side adjoining the slip mark[e]d C, the said warehouse could be rendered perfectly fit and secure for the purposes intended.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #106)

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1805 Oct 24
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
Inclosed we transmit your Hono[u]rs an account of expenses that have attended the seizure, removal & sale of a seizure of spirits, wine, pepper, and tobacco, made by the Shark cruiser the 10th March last, amounting to thirty four pounds & five pence, which we humbly pray your Hono[u]rs order to pay, and take credit for out of the gross proceeds of the sale.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #109)

= = = = = = = = =

1805 Oct 28
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In pursuance of your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Swaineson’s letter of the 26th instant, we humbly report that the Betsey cutter, and Dart lugger, now under seizure at this port, were delivered the 17th instant to Capt Banren(?) of the Navy, who was ordered by Rear Admiral Berkley to take charge of the same.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #110)

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1805 Oct 29
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
We beg to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that we have this day sent by the coach in a box addressed to your Hono[u]rs, the books and accounts mention[e]d in the inclosed list and have paid five shillings for carriage thereof to London, as noted thereon.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #111)

= = = = = = = = =

1805 Nov 13
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Swainson’s letter of the 2nd instant, we have enquired of the parties concerned in what manner the floor which is over the warehouse proposed for the reception of spirits &c, imported at this port, under the Act of the last Session Chap 87, is intended to be occupied, and we humbly report that no use whatever is intended to be made of it, unless the first floor should be insufficient to contain the quantity imported, in which case the surplus might probably be lodged on the second floor.
We think it necessary to represent to your Hono[u]rs that the warehouse proposal is part of a stack of cellars were occupied by a deal merchant and other persons, in consequence of which it will be impossible to comply with that part of the General Regulations which requires the whole stack to be in the occupation & under the locks of the owners independent of that circumstance we apprehend the cellar in question can be made in every respect conformable to the said regulations and we are fully satisfied it would be perfectly secure as it is completely separated from the other parts of the stack by party walls of the same strength & dimensions as the side & end walls.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #113)

= = = = = = = = =

1805 Nov 25
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
We beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that since our letter of the 13th instant respecting the warehouse proposed for the reception of spirits &c, imported under the Act of last Session, C[h]ap 87, the parties concerned have represented to us that they have made an arrangement with the proprietor of the premises for occupying the whole stack described in the plan transmitted your honours in our letter of the 16th ult[im]o, No.106, in consequence of which they will now be enabled to comply with the general regulations, and to detach the same completely from the other part of the premises.
We humbly request your Hono[u]rs directions for our government and are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #114)

= = = = = = = = =

1805 Nov 29
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
Hon[oura]ble Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Swainson’s letter of the 16th instant, we have, in organisation with the Tidesurveyor, the Commander of the Shark cutter, and one of the harbour pilots, personally surveyed every part of this port capable of receiving vessels which may arrive from America & the West Indies, in order to an examination as to the health of the crew, and we beg leave to acquaint your Hono[u]rs that there is no place within or near this port, where it is possible to moor vessels afloat for that purpose, so as to prevent any intercourse with other ships or boats, or with the shore, or the escape of any of the passengers or crew.
The only place we can discover in any measure calculated for that purpose, is situated between Appledore and the Bar, called the Skerne, where vessels liable to quarantine have been always stationed, & where they are safely sheltered in almost all weathers & seasons, & this place is capable of containing twelve vessels of 150 tons; the depth of water flowing over it on a neap tide is about 16 feet, and on a spring tide about 26 feet, but at low water it ebbs dry, in consequence of which it has been found necessary, in all cases where vessels have been then restrained under quarantine, to cut off the communication with the shore by means of a land guard.
We deem it necessary to observe to your Hono[u]rs that no vessel subject to quarantine has arrived at this port for many years, nor is there any prospect or probability of such an event occurring for many years to come, unless driven in by stress of weather.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #115)

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1805 Dec 02
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
Inclosed we transmit your Hono[u]rs the petition of William John Vine of Appledore within this port, stating the loss of a Certificate of the landing a cargo of coals at Plymouth, out of the Two Elizabeths, Ja[me]s Williams master, from Swanzey, for which the petitioner became security, and praying your Hono[u]rs directions for granting him a second certificate to cancel the Coast Bond which has been put in suit against him.
And we humbly report that the petitioner has been long known to us as a man of a very fair character, & that we are fully satisfied of the truth of his allegation.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #116)

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1805 Dec 19
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Swainson’s letter of the 12 instant, we humbly report that in pursuance of your Honours order of the 22nd July last, we made every possible enquiry respecting the elephant’s teeth, stated to have been taken up on Mr Clevlands Royalty, within this port, but not being able to procure any satisfactory information we wrote to Mr Clevland on the 30th September last desiring he would assist us in gaining proof of the particulars required, to which we have never received any reply.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #122)

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1805 Dec 23
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs order by Mr Hutson’s minute of the 7th inst[ant], on the enclosed petition of Mr Geo[rge] Needs, late of the Shark cruiser in the service at this port, praying to be allowed the mate's share of the Dart lugger and her cargo, seized the 10th March last, we beg leave to state that on the 7th of that month, we received your Hono[u]rs directions to acquaint Mr Needs that he was removed from the Shark, and appointed mate of the Fox cutter at Cowes, to which place he was to repair immediately after receiving his Commission at Minehead.
The Shark being then at Ilfracombe, we communicated your Hono[u]rs order to the Commander & Mate by an express messenger. From that day we considered Mr Needs discharged from the Shark as he afterwards delivered us his journal concluding the 6th March (the day preceding), and received his salary to the 7th March inclusive, as the period of his discharge without ever mentioning his expectations of an interest in the above seizure, nor had we the most distant idea of it.
On the 10th March (the day of seizure) we received your Hono[u]r's order of the 7th inclosing a Commission for Mr W[ilia]m Crockford as Mate of the Shark in the room of Mr George Needs removed.
We have communicated the said petition to the Commander and crew of the Shark, from whose united testimony we learn that as soon as Mr Needs received the news of his removal to the Fox cutter on the 7th March, he immediately quitted the Shark, informing the crew that he was no longer a Shark but a Fox, that he was going from the ‘Thief by Sea’, to the ‘Thief by Land’, and using his utmost endeavours to seduce several of them to accompany him, by telling them he was convinced the Shark would make no more seizures now he had left her. He requested the Commander to run up with the Shark and put him on shore at Minehead, which the former considered to do, but in the meantime, receiving information of the lugger in question being on the coast, he sent on shore to acquaint Mr Needs of it, and to ask him whether he chose to go out on the Shark or the occasion which he (Needs) absolutely refused.
The Commander then informed him that in case he should not meet with the lugger, he would return and take him up to Minehead as requested, desiring him to look out for the Shark, in order that when she arrived off Ilfracombe, he might come to her in a boat.
The Commander positively denies his having ever desired Mr Needs to look out on the hills with any view of assisting in the seizure, as stated in the petition, or to have given him any orders whatever after the 7th March, from which time he never did any duty on board the Shark. Nor doth it appear from every information we can collect, that he had any sort of connection with, or rendered the smallest assistance in making the seizure of which he claims a share. On the contrary we have reason to believe could he have succeeded in seducing the crew of the Shark as before stated, the seizure would not have been effected.
We should have submitted our report on this subject to your Hono[u]rs sooner, but for a request made to us by the crew of the Shark, that we would at the same time transmit their petition, accompanied with a variety of collateral evidence to prove that the claim made by Mr Needs is wholly unfounded.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #124)

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[No date, but after a letter dated 1805 Dec 24].
By this Public Instrument of Protest, be it known and made manifest to all men, that on the first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, before me, Isaac Clark of Ilfracombe in the County of Devon, notary public, duly admitted and sworn personally, appeared William Matthews commander of His Majesty’s Revenue cutter Shark, together with James Crockford mate, Joseph Abbott, John Fishley, John Hinks, John Badcock, Samuel Lewis, Joseph Barwick, William Twiddy, John Richards, Samuel Edwards, seamen being the whole of the crew belonging to the said cutter Shark, William Doidge (Thomas Marshall then absent on duty) who solemnly and seriously declare and for truth affirm: That on the third day of June last, they being close in with the Outer Fish Cellars at New Quay, saw a lugger along shore about two leagues distant from New Quay head, which they verily believe was a lugger they chased the day before, which they concluded by their signals was going to land smuggled goods at Bassetts Cove.
That at 7pm they made sail and ran close along shore under the cover of the night to prevent there escaping them, that at 9pm it blowing very fresh, and under all the sail they could carry, they discovered the said lugger with her fore sheet a weather laying to, with her head at the N.N.W. when they also saw several flashes of fire on board, when the Shark fired her larboard bow gun, the said lugger then on the starboard bow, at which time the Shark ran on board of her, when one of the Sharks men was going to fire the starboard gun into the said lugger, but was prevented by said William Mathews the commander, but soon after which, a man on board the lugger called out: Don’t fire, we are your prize, at which time the lugger and said Shark cutter was grappled together by the Shark’s starboard anchor and the luggers starboard mizzen riggings, which they were obliged to cut away to clear the two vessels, to prevent their running on shore.
At which time a man on board the lugger said; It’s the Dolphins Prize, that soon after the said William Mathews found she was taken possession of, by Mr Ferris mate of the Dolphin cutter, Capt Johns commander, at which time the Dolphin was laying aground in St Ives Pier.
In faith and consequence of the above, or within protest, I the said Notary at the deponents request for and on behalf of themselves, do hereby solemnly t~?~ by patent against the said Mr Ferris, mate of the Dolphin cutter, for taking and detaining the said lugger, which at the same time was a lawful prize to the Shark cutter, master Hiews.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and usual seal of office, the day and date first before written.
William Matthews, commander
James Crockford, mate
Joseph Abbott
Samuel Lewis
John Hinks
Samuel Edwards
John Fishley
Joseph Barwick
William Doidge, his mark
William Twiddy, his mark
John Richards, his mark
John Badcock
Sworn before me,
Isaac Clark, notary publick
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #125)

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1805 Dec 27
To the Coll[ector] & Controller, Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
Yours this day have rec[eive]d by one of the crew inclosing letters from the Hon[oura]ble Board, and also from Capt Johns, and Mr Ferris his first mate of the Dolphin revenue cutter, stationed at the Port of St Ives, respecting the Captain of the Union lugger of Fowey, Marks master, from Guernsey.
In answer to captain Johns, and Mr Ferris’s letters bearing date the 17th and 22nd of September 1805, I beg leave to observe their first remark is incorrect. The capture was made on Monday 9pm the 3rd June, and not Tuesday 4th June at 11pm, there discovering us and supposing or taking us to be a sloop appears very strange to me, for such was the real case the lugger's crew would not permit the boat of the Dolphin to come alongside her, the boat was under the luggers larboard bow, struggling to board her, therefore it was impossible to see us, the night was very dark, we saw several flashes which directed us to the lugger, and which I concluded was signals for there merchants on shore, never thinking it to be the Dolphins, or any other cutters boat attacking her, particularly as the Dolphin meet me but the day before, with an intention to go into St. Ives pier, at the moment almost that we saw the lugger, we were on board her, she was laying to, with her fore sheet a weather. I ordered the larboard gun forward to be fired, and which order was obeyed. Immediately at that moment, we ran her on board hooking the lugger with our starboard anchor, his starboard mizen bartons, we have a range of cable for the sole purpose of running him on board if possible, it was plan[ne]d by me, and I sho[ul]d have thought it neglect of duty on my side had I not sone to it, it was a dark night, very dark, and I conceived if the surest method, the water being very smooth caused no apprehension of danger from that quarter, the gun before mentioned was the only gun fired, and that was from our opposite bow to the lugger, there crew the luggers, finding a cutter on board them on the starboard quarter, left the larboard bow, and came off conceiving it to be the cutter to which the boat belonged to, some one of her crew call[e]d out: She’s your prize, she might with all case step[pe]d onb[oar]d the lugger, but making ourselves sure he was our own, the first thought was to clear the vessels of each other, and which was the moment the advantage (if I may be allowed the acspression) was taken by the boats crew of the Dolphin, at this interval it was that Mr Ferris jump[e]d on board from out the boat in the Unions fore chains, ran aft, & call[e]d out it’s the Dolphins prize d**n [presumably ‘damn’ intended!] your eyes. When I made answer: is that you Ferris or Mr Ferris, I don’t now recollect, I’ll be with you directly, I did not expect such from you, Mr Ferris, said then Captain Matthews you will come on board Sir, and I again said: to be sure I will, as soon as the Shark was clear of the lugger, which was very soon done by the stock of our anchor breaking, and Mr Crockford, mate of the Shark and not Mr Ferris, cut the mizen sheet.
I went in our boat alongside the lugger, both vessels clear, the fore sheet drawn, and reaching right off the land, the winds ab[ou]t E 3 No [3 knots?] at that time, on my coming in over her larboard quarter, Mr Ferris I saw take the helm from a man whether one of his crew or not, I will not say, but I rather believe from circumstances the latter, after some little conversation, I believe I ask[e]d on my first entering the deck whose here to the helm, when Mr Ferris answered: I am here, Sir, what else passed on deck, I really cannot recollect.
At this moment, Mr Ferris call[e]d one of his crew, and then said: Will you walk down, meaning below in the cabin. I follow[e]d him down, w[h]ere I found the mast[e]r Marks siting on the locked with [h]is back up against the bulkhead on the starboard side, when Mr Ferris say down by him, I sat myself down the larboard side, the master looking over to me, I asked him how much have you got in, for she appear[e]d rather light to us in the afternoon, on her going down along shore, whilst I was ashore on duty at New Quay, Marks after a short pause said: I can’t rightly tell, we have throw[e]d some over board when chased by a frigate, and I think he said as far as the salt fees Ireland he appeared very cautious in answering many questions which I put to him, particularly about our chasing him the day before. Carefully keeping my eye on his countenance some thing appear[e]d to me that he waited, either for a tread on the toe or a something from the faces of Mr F. as a sign of approbation. On my coming up out of the cabin, I said to Mr Ferris: She certainly is a prize to the Shark, it's no use for you and me to contend, I most certainly shall report the circumstance to the Board, they are our masters, and I shall leave it to their will and pleasure. I myself help[e]d with my boats crew to hoist up the main lug and then went into my boat, the Shark, then I could just discern on the luggers larboard bow both vessels going of[f] shore.
Captain John[s] I beg leave to say, must be very wrong in his assertion of my hailing him, I was in my boat, not up to our cutter, and it was with some difficulty we got alongside her, the people quick weary with the duties of the day, Mr Crockford told me when I came on board the Dolphin had past [passed] us, when I made answer to him: Ah’ then she came out of the Pier as soon as afloat to pick up her boat.
Mr Ferris saying that we never saw the lugger Union is very wrong, and as a proof, and further particulars, may I beg there owners goodness to refer to the Sharks log for the month of June, on the 7th of that month, this lugger with another to windw[ar]d of her, distant about a mile, reached in towards Trevoise Head, we then laying to an anchor inside the Quoires Rocks on the look out watching their motions, it blew a fresh breeze ab[ou]t E.N.E. On the Union discovering us, immediately tack[e]d, lower[e]d down is main lug and hoisted a St. Georges ensign to his mizen as biding us defiance, the other lugger tack[e]d also, and stood off the only reason of my not following those vessels immediately, was I too well knew it useless, the Shark being very dull sailor, and that nothing co[ul]d be done on our part with such vessels, without it was by stratagem, and by there coming into land and their actions were such that fully convinced me of their intending to land either at New Quay or at Bassetts Cove, and that both these endeavors was to get us from the land.
Mr Ferris also says he requested me to go, or send my boat to aid and assist his 2nd mate in finding the luggers boat. I saw no boat with a 2nd officer, or can I be persuaded there was a second boat sent after the luggers boat, as from what I have learn[e]t since the lugger boat went on shore at the sand to westward of the pier, and were the in general land with some goods, I don't know and I believe the boat is at Bassetts Cove to this day. A deal more might be said on this occasion, but I fully trust their Hono[u]rs will be perfectly satisfy[e]d with my conduct of the day, altho[ugh] Mr Ferris condemns me acting not like an officer, and in an unwarrantable manner, there was nothing done maliciously, or wantonly on our side, but actuated by a willingness to do every justice in our power to that service in which we have the hono[u]r to serve, and in which I hope and trust their Hono[u]rs will be perfectly satisfyed and fully convinced that I am at all times their Hono[u]rs most dutiful, and most faithful humble servant.
[signed] Will[ia]m Matthews
P.S.
May I be permitted to present to their Hono[u]rs with this the true situations of the Shark and Union at 9pm, and ab[ou]t 5 mins after 9pm, As they will observe in sketch[e]s No.1 and 2, for their further information.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #125)

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1805 Dec 27
[To Custom house London, from Customs house Barnstaple].
H[onourable] Sirs,
In obedience to your Hono[u]rs directions by Mr Swainson’s letter of the 23rd ult[im]o, inclosing letters from the Commander & Mate of the Dolphin cutter, relative to the seizure of the Union lugger of Fowey & her cargo in conjunction with the Shark cutter in the service at this Port, we have call[e]d upon Capt Mathews for his observations on the said letters, and inclosed we transmit yours Hono[u]rs the same together with a copy of the minutes of his journal from the 1st to the 4th June inclusive during which the whole transaction occurred; and likewise two sketches of the respective of the Shark & Union at the time of seizure, with the depositions of the Commander & crew of the Shark, taken before a notary public, from which we presume it will clearly appear to your Hono[u]rs, that the claim made by the Comm[ande]r of the Shark to a participation of the seizure in question, is founded in such & justice [sic], that his conduct on the occasion was that of an active and judicious officer, & that the representation made to your Hono[u]rs by the Comm[ande]r & crew of the Dolphin, are in many respects entirely erroneous.
Altho[ugh] we feel great embarrassment on perusing the contradictory letters of the claimants, we crave your Hono[u]rs indulgence for offering a few observations which have occurred to us on the subject, & the first we beg leave to notice is the difference of time, not only as to the hour, but the day of the week & month the Comm[ande]r & Mate of the Dolphin, stating it on Tuesday the 4th June at 11pm, and the Commander of the Shark stating at on Monday the 3rd June at 9pm. On this point the error evidently rests with the former, as the Shark afterwards proceeded on her cruise, & on the 4th June at 9pm made seizure of the Lottery lugger & her cargo, which was brought into this port the day following.
We further beg to remark to your Hono[u]rs the inconsistency of Mr Ferris’s letter in which he says that when he boarded the lugger at 11pm, there was no vessel in sight whatever & just after charging Capt Mathews with wilfully and maliciously firing into the lugger which he had possession of her, he attributed the miraculous escape from danger of himself & crew to the darkness of the night, which was so great that it appears Capt Mathews described the lugger only by several flashes of fire on board, which must have been signals made by the crew to the smugglers onshore, previous to their proceeding to land the cargo.
We are at a loss to reconcile Capt John’s letter with that of his mate, the former observing that they supposed the Shark to have been a sloop, & the letter stating that before she came abreast of the lugger, he hailed her repeatedly and desired the Comm[ande]r not to fire into them, an event they cou[l]d not have apprehended from a sloop.
On referring to the Sharks journal, we think it appears very clear that she was in pursuit of the Union lugger for several days prior to her seizure, and that every possible exertion was made by the Comm[ande]r and crew to get possession of her.
We have by various examinations of the crew endeavoured to come at the truth of the affair, they have both individually and collectively agreed in confirming the testimony of the Comm[ande]r and in declaring that the Dolphins crew were not on board at the time the Shark grappled the lugger, but that they got on board during the time the two vessels were foul[e]d of each other, & this we conceive extremely probable, as it evidently appears that the Shark & the Dolphins boat were both very near the lugger at the same time, & it is but reasonable to suppose that the luggers crew would at that time of night have resisted the boat, had they not suspected she belonged to the Shark, which actually had possession of her, altho[ugh] from circumstances, neither the Comm[ande]r or any of his crew had been on board.
We further beg leave in the conclusion of our report to mention our approbation of the conduct & candour of Capt Mathews in resigning possession of the seizure to Mr Ferris, and avoiding any warmth of temper or indecorous behaviour on the occasion by which means & by a further active discharge of his duty, he succeeded the day following in making another valuable seizure.
We are, &c,
J.P.
J.W.O.
(ref: CUST 69/72, entry #126)

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1832 Feb 05
The undermentioned seizure of fourteen tubs of foreign brandy unlawfully imported, was seized by myself in company with three of my officers on Sunday January 22nd last, under the following circumstances.
Having the same morning secured private information that the above tubs were lodged in the dwelling house of Richard Bedford, labourer of Above Weir in the parish of Heanton Punchardon in this district, we immediately proceeded thither, and found that the above tubs had been removed from his dwelling house into his garden adjoining his house, he being I presume in expectation of our arrival to seize the spirits and to prevent if possible a prosecution against him.
The above defendant is very poor and of good character before this circumstance, is 74 years of age, he was never prosecuted under the Customs or Excise laws to my knowledge. He says that the above spirits were taken from a boat in the river which adjoins his garden, and put into his house my Mr James Harvey, master of a coasting vessel, Thomas Slade, mariner of Appledore, and a strange man who he did not know, on the morning of the 22nd January last. That the strange man requested him to let the above tubs stay in his house until the evening, when they would be taken away. But that he did not at first consider the consequence in harbouring it. That Mr Harvey handed the tubs out of the boat to Slade, and Slade brought them to Bedfords House, which I believe is perfectly correct.
Bedford’s testimony can be corroborated by his son, who saw part of the transaction. Under these circumstances I humbly submit whether it would not be most proper to prosecute James Harvey and Thomas Slade, and admit Bedford and his son as witnesses against them, both Bedford and his son are of fair characters.
I am, &c,
Jno Jenns
(ref: CUST 69/85)

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1832 Mar 29
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
Hono[u]rable Sirs,
The Collector having in pursuance of your Hono[u]rs order to us of the 8th instant No.56, laid the necessary information against Richard Bedford for harbouring 14 tubs q[uantity] 59 gallons of brandy, in the parish of Heanton Punchardon – a detailed report of the seizure of which was transmitted by us to your Hono[u]rs on the 25th ultimo by our letter No.24, the defendant has been convicted thereof in the mitigated penalty of twenty-five pounds.
And the magistrates having issued a warrant of distress for that sum to be levied on the effects of the party which is returnable on the 12th April next, we have in the mean time deemed it proper to appraise your Hono[u]rs thereof, and request you will be pleased to inform us whether in case the warrant is returned to the Magistrates, in consequence of there being no effects on which the distress can be levied (the man being extremely indigent and receiving at this time parochial relief) it is your pleasure that the Collector should press the magistrates for a warrant of committal to the county gaol, situate about 40 miles off.
The defendant was convicted on his own confession of the offence, which was made without reservation, altho[ugh] he declares he was in no way connected with the smuggling transaction, or aware of the illegality of the act, is seventy four years of age, and very frail and decrepit, and was never before prosecuted for any breach of the Revenue laws, and we have reason to believe he was intrapped into a commission of the offence by the more guilty parties, Harvey and Slade, as mentioned in the statement of the seizure officer inclosed in our letter before mentioned.
We are, &c,
E.R.R.
N.G.
(ref: CUST 69/85, entry #31)

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1832 Nov 08
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
Hono[u]rable Sirs,
The first notice we had of the vessel being in our Port, was by the Masters presenting himself at this office to make a report of his cargo, having as he informed us, been freed from quarantine by the Tide Surveyor at the Appledore station, who by your Hono[u]r’s order of the 25 Sept last, is directed to do duty for both ports of Barnstaple & Bideford.
But finding on enquiry for the certificate of liberation under the orders in Council of the 27th August 1827, that the master had not been furmished with that document, we referred him back to the aforementioned officer for it, and in the mean time declined taking his report.
The master however returned to us with only the accompanying certificate, bringing also a message from the Tide Surveyor (who appears had consulted his superior officers on the affair) that that document alone was necessary.
It was then only that we became aware that the quarantine regulations in regard to this vessel had been wholly neglected by the officer at Appledore, under whose authority the vessel had proceeded up our river towards the Quays, and (the tides falling off) had become bereaped [sic], the crew being in communication with the shore.
Circumstanced as we therefore were, we did not (in the execreite [sic] of our discretion) deem that we had any alternative left us, but to direct the Tide Surveyor, upon our own establishment, to proceed to the vessel taking with him a medical gentleman, and made the examination under the above order in Council, granting if they saw fit, the certificates thereby directed.
We therefore trust that by this explanation we shall stand exonerated from any culpability in the transaction, and that whatever censure attaches to the proceeding, will properly fall on those under whose permission and authority the vessel was admitted into port.
Respectfully submitted,
E.R.R.
N.G.
(ref: CUST 69/85, entry #97)

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Certificate of the quarantine officer appointed to examine the masters of all ships and vessel arrived from Foreign Parts, in order to ascertain whether they are, or are not, liable to the performance of quarantine.
These are to certify that in pursuance of an Act of Parliament, of the 45th year of His late Majesty, and an order of His Majesty in Council, dated the 5 April 1805, I have examined Rich[ar]d Hartnoll, master of the vessel called the Victoria, lately arrived from Malaga, and that if appears by the answers of the same master to the questions I have put to him, that there are not any articles enumerated in the first class of goods on board of the said vessel.
Given under my hand on board the ~[blank]~ at ~[blank]~ this 29th day of October 1832.
Mich[ae]l Tyrrell
(ref: CUST 69/85, entry #97 A)

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1832 [no date]
[From Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London].
Hono[u]rable Sirs,
In reply to the secretary’s letter of the 22nd instant.
We beg respectfully to represent to your Hono[u]rs that the point, within this Port at which the masters of vessels have most usually been required to bring to for the purpose of receiving or landing the Officers of Customs, is “Pages Pill”, at the entrance of the river. And since the date of your Hono[u]rs order to us of the 25th September last, directing the Tide Surveyor stationed at Appledore within the port of Bideford, to do duty for both ports, that station may now also be considered a place properly adapted for similar purposes.
We are, &c,
E.R.R.
N.G.
(ref: CUST 69/85, entry #100)

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1832 Dec 01
From Richard Hartnoll, master of the vessel Victoria at Bristol, to Coll[ecto]r & Comp[troller] at Barnstaple.
Gentlemen,
In reply to your letter of the 27 November.
First – On my arrival in the Bristol Channel in the schooner ‘Victoria’ of Barnstaple, the weather being very thick with strong gales from the southwest, not being able to make the land, I tacked ship and stood to the westward 8 hours. On approach of daylight I thought it advisable to stand for the shore, well knowing the dangers of the Channel without making the land to ascertain my situation not having seen the land since my departure from the Straits of Gibraltar. Consequently I found myself in Barnstaple Bay and the weather still proving thick, I thought it requisite to run for the Bar, for the safety of the ship and cargo. And not knowing any station for the performance of quarantine in that port, and immediately when in safety, I hove the vessel to, for instructions from the quarantine officer who immediately came alongside and put several questions. On finding all well and having a clean bill of health, he afterwards came on board my vessel and gave me my clearance.
Secondly - on having to perform quarantine on the coast of Spain in consequences of the prevalence of cholera in England, and having strong gales had blown the flag in pieces and could not be supplied with another in Malaga. In consequence of which I had no other signal to hoist than my Ensign to the main topmast head, as a signal for the officer of Customs, as in many other ports, which signal was attended to by the officer of quarantine who gave me the clearance.
Thirdly – Having no pilot to bring the ship over the Bar, after getting my clearance, I proceeded in the Port of Barnstaple without a pilot, by the liberty of the quarantine officer who still remained on board until the vessel was brought to anchor, and afterwards searched her.
I therefore trust these explanations will be deemed sufficient.
I am, &c,
Rich[ar]d Hartnoll
(ref: CUST 69/85)

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1833 September
The memorial of Thomas Penney of Appledore, currier.
Sheweth – That about two years since, your petitioner shipped a quantity of British manufactured goods consisting principally of shoes from the port of Bideford to Prince Edwards Island in North America for sale.
That a portion of the shoes with a work box and writing desk were recently returned by the brig ‘Sarah & Eliza’ to your petitioner unsold.
That on your petitioners applying for such articles, he was informed the same were detained by the customs and consequences of your petitioner neglecting to enter such goods previous to their being shipped for Prince Edwards Island.
Your petitioner begs to assure your Hono[u]rable Board, he was not aware such entry was necessary, or that any duty was payable on British manufactured goods so exported.
Your petitioner also begs leave to state that the omission on his part arose entirely from a want of knowledge that such entry was necessary, and not with a view to defraud his Majesty's Revenue. Under these circumstances your petitioner humbly prays that your Hono[u]rable Board will be pleased to order the goods so detained to be delivered to him.
Your petitioner has deemed it proper to annex an affidavit made by him to the above effect, and to which he begs leave to refer your Hono[u]rable Board.
And your petitioner will ever pray, &c,
Signed: Tho[mas] Penney
(ref: CUST 69/85)

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1833 Sept 05
Thomas Penney of Appledore in the county of Devon, currier, maketh oath and sayeth: That about two years since, he exported A quantity of shoes and other articles, all of British manufacture, from the port of Bideford to Prince Edwards Island in North America for sale.
That a short time since, a portion of the shoes with a work box and writing desk were returned to him by the brig ‘Sarah & Eliza’ unsold. That on his applying for the goods so returned, he was informed by the Custom House Officer that they were detained in consequence of deponent having neglected to enter the same at the Custom House previous to their being exported.
And this deponent further sayeth: That no fraud whatever was attempted or intended on his part, for he was not aware that such entry was necessary, or that any duty was payable in respect thereof. And that the omission in his part arose in consequence of his entertaining an idea that British manufactured goods exported to Prince Edwards Island were not subject to duty.
Sworn at Raleigh near Bideford in the said County, the fifth day of September 1833, before me,
Tho[ma]s Wren, Magistrate for the County of Devon.
Signed: Tho[ma]s Penney.
(ref: CUST 69/85)

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1833 Sep 18
Custom house Barnstaple, to Custom house London.
Hono[u]rable Sirs,
On the annexed petition of Thomas Penney of Appledore, currier, praying your Hono[u]rs order for our delivery of a chest containing 101 pairs of British manufactured leather shoes, and two pieces of cabinet ware, hey writing desk & a work box sent to the warehouse by the Landing Waiter & Surveyor on the 22nd August last, for examination &c, on Sarah & Eliza, Woollacott [master] at Port Bathurst, New Brunswick.
We have humbly to state that the owner was directed on making application for the said chest, to produce the necessary proof from the Searchers office at Bideford (Port of export), a copy of the cocket & declaration of the exporter of the ident[it]y of the goods to enable as to declare them by Bill of Stores free, as returned British merchandise, but failing in procedure the necessary certificates from the circumstance stated in his said petition, he solicits your Hono[u]rs indulgence to have them restored, duty free.
Our surveyor is fully persuaded the shoes are of British manufacture, and we have no reason to doubt the veracity of the petitioner, and under the circumstances of the case we humbly submit an acquiescence in the prayer of the petition.
We are, &c,
E.R.P. Coll[ector]
N.G. Comp[troller]
(ref: CUST 69/85, entry #59)

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Definitions:

Anker or Anchor
A unit of liquid capacity for wine or brandy equal to about 10 gallons.

Arrach
A plant usually used for medicinal purposes.

Bushell
Unit of weight for dry goods about 32 lbs. Can also be a unit of volume about 8 gallons.

Cartel Ship
A ship employed on a humanitarian voyage, often to carry communications or prisoners between countries.

Cocket (or Coquette)
A document issued by Customs Officials certifying payment of duties.

Comptroller
An official who examines and supervises expenditure.

Culme
A type of coal. Name derived from Welsh word cwlwm meaning knot (due to the folding of the rock-beds in which the coal is found).

Grayston Lake
A variant name for Greysands on the Northam Burrows, on which there was a small lake or mere.

Hogshead
A barrel holding 54 gallons of liquid, also used for transporting tobacco.

Landwaiter
A Customs Officer who oversaw the landing of goods from ships.

Larboard
The original name for the port side of the ship (opposite of starboard).

Memorial
A memoir or memorandum.

Pipe (or butt)
A large barrell containing about 126 gallons (4 barrels), used for wine and other goods.

Riding Officer
A Customs Officer employed to patrol the coast within their area, to suppress smuggling.

Snow
A square-rigged vessel with two masts, complemented by a snow- or trysail-mast stepped immediately behind the main mast. Its name comes from 'snauw', an old Dutch word for beak, a reference to the characteristic sharp bow of the vessel.

Surveyor
A Customs Officer who inspected the work of the Landing Waiters and Searchers.

Tidesman or Tidewaiter
A customs Officer who checked goods upon a vessel's landing to secure them for payment of duties.

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