Near Dymchurch, 6 August 1826

During the committal trial of Aldington gang members on 17 October 1826, seaman William Spillane provided evidence about smuggling activities at Dymchurch on 6 August 1826.

Spillane’s evidence, reported in the Kentish Chronicle of 31 October 1826, was essentially as follows.

At about one am on the 6th of August, Spillane was out on duty when he heard two shots fired at Half-East Road. He ran towards the spot and saw two flashes. He first met William Wynn and then saw a party of eighty to a hundred men on the beach, about thirty or forty yards off. There was a boat nearby. Another two shots came from the shore, probably from the boat. Wynn and Spillane both fired and the smugglers fired in return. Spillane was wounded in the arms and on one side and shot was later extracted from his back. Lieutenant Johnson confirmed that Spillane had subsequently been confined to bed for five weeks.

On hearing the firing, Lieutenant Johnson rushed among the men working the cargo. He discharged a blunderbuss and saw two men fall. One of them (Bushall) later had a leg amputated after receiving a shot on that evening. Johnson said the night was so dark that it was impossible to distinguish faces, but a man in a white frock had wounded Joseph Shord.

The smugglers were pursued into the marshes but all escaped. Fourteen barrels of foreign gin were taken into possession by the blockade men, along with three muskets, one loaded with forty slugs, the others broken.

Again, Horne was called to relate his version of the events of 6 August (see below).  He recalled that goods were run between Dymchurch and Hythe and that they had met at Ransley’s place that night. All the prisoners but Charles Giles and Robert Bailey were there. Horne claimed that there were fifty or sixty men on that occasion. He said that when 80 to 100 tubs are to be run fifteen or sixteen armed men are required to protect those carrying off the casks. Samuel Dennard (presumably this should have been Thomas), Thomas Gilham, and Richard Wyer were all identified as having muskets. Horne said that Samuel Bailey kept the arms but that he never knew George Ransley to carry arms.

On the night of the 6th of August the party reached the beach somewhere between midnight and two am. Ransley called out to the party to ‘come up’ and part of cargo was landed before the blockade officers interrupted proceedings. About eighty tubs were taken up in carts and guarded for four or five miles. On this occasion, Horne received a guinea for his efforts.

Edward Horn’s evidence

Below is the most interesting of the transcripts of Edward Horn’s evidence. It makes a number of references to a Thomas Piety of Ashford – quite possibly the one who later married John Bailey’s daughter Emily in Van Diemen’s Land.  If it is the same person, he was transported aboard the Georgiana in 1829, having been convicted of horse stealing.

Horn also suggests a connection between Thomas Gilham and John Bailey – with their wives having been sisters! It turns out that Frances Furner and Catherine Richards were in fact sisters or at least half sisters, with Catherine having been born before their mother, Delia Richards, married William Furner.

As to the felonious Assembly 6th August near Fort Moncrief — Edward Horn states that about 8 o’clock on Saturday Evening the 5th of August Examinant proceeded to Ransley’s House with John Horn in consequence of a previous arrangement made between the two latter. After waiting there about an hour Ransley and his son in one Cart Thomas Piety of Ashford in another and John Horn in another Cart left Ransley’s House over the Frith to Jigger Green Bridge.  There was a Company of between 30 and 40 men assembled at Ransley’s and Examinant walked with them to the same Bridge where they were to meet the Carts as the walking party crossed the Field they reached the appointed Place a short time before the Carts when the Carts came up Ransley in his Cart went along the Canal and the two other Carts crossed the Canal at the Bridge and proceeded to the Royal Oak a Public House in the Parish of Bonnington kept by William Huckstead.  Examinant accompanied his Brother John in his Cart and James Hogben of Bilsington one who had met at Ransley’s was in Piety’s Cart. The walking Party crossed the Fields to Eldergate Bridge. Examinant’s Party did not go into the Royal Oak but turned to the left and passing Eldergate Bridge got to a Farm house belonging to Mr Selby near Burmarsh and then went on half a mile.  Horn’s and Piety’s Carts stopped for the Company.

It was then drawing on for 11 o’clock when the Company came up they crossed the Marsh leaving the two Carts in the Road with John Horn and Piety and went to a place called Jacob Wratten’s lodge where they met Ransley his Son and Hogben of Hawkinge with a Party brought by the latter.  There was also James Quested with his Cart in which the Fire arms from 12 to 16 Guns were brought. The Company when united amounted to between 50 and 60.  They were mustered in the field beyond the lodge and Ransley looking out for those who were armed pointed out to them on which side they were to be stationed during the run – amongst the armed men there were Examinant, Samuel Bailey, Thomas Gillham, Thomas Winder, William Smeed, Blisney Tickner, Thomas Denard, Richard Wire, Edward Pantery, James Hogben of Bilsington and others whose names he don’t recollect.  Ransley had gone forward to West Hythe to meet Hogben of Hawkinge and Quested’s Party.

After the muster they made their way to the sea side and lay down in a Field near the Circular Redoubt and close to the Road under Dymchurch Wall from 50 to 60 Roods from the Redoubt.  It was then near one o’clock.  After laying there about an hour during which time Ransley went up to the Sea (about 200 yards distant) to look out for the expected Boat and on his giving a Signal by a halloo they all got across the Road and over the Sea Wall to him where Examinant saw a boat laying.  The Scouts then divided into two Parties leaving room for the working Party to pass between.

Examinant was on the East or left side and with him Winder, Tickney, Samuel Bailey, William Smeed and he don’t recall who besides – Gillham was one of the armed Party to the West and John Bailey was there as a Tub carrier.  Examinant with his Party was posted along the road by the Wall on his reaching the Wall he looked over and saw the Boat and also a man he took to be a Blockade Man about ten or a dozen yards to the Eastward who retreated and a fire was then opened by Examinant’s Party at him and he continued retreating after which several of the Blockade Party came up from the same side and a good deal of firing was exchange on both sides. In consequence of the approach of these persons some one amongst the Smugglers called out come away and thereupon Examinant and his Party crossed the Road into the Field before all he working Party left the Boat and during this Time Examinant heard Ransley call come back you B___s and shoot them.  They have got one of our men but the Scouts hesitating he continued calling out to them that there was nothing to be afraid of. Shortly previous to this and during the firing Ransley (as he afterwards said on their return) in attempting to get up the Bank or wall fell down but recovered himself and got up into the Road. Examinant did not return.

Examinant had no knowledge of Bushell one of the working party who was taken nor does he of his own knowledge know that any of the Smugglers were wounded that night. While in the field he saw a scuffle between some of the Blockade Men and the Smugglers and he heard blows given but he does not know by whom further than that as they returned home he heard John Bailey say that Gillham had broken his musquet [sic] about the Blockade Man that had attempted to seize one of the Smugglers.  Examinant observed that as they went down to the sea Gillham had a Gun and that he had not one as he returned and on the Tuesday following Examinant being at Thomas Pietys at Ashford on market day he heard Ransley in the Presence of John Horn say that he thought the greater part of the Scouts were afraid ever since Giles had been shot and speaking of the Conduct of Gillham and William Smeed he said that himself Smeed and Dotchy (Gillhams‘ nick name and William Smeed with himself Ransley) would take one side to Scout at any Time and he believed the rest were afraid and Examinant observed speaking of himself that he really was afraid.

The Cargo they secured that night was between 80 and 90 Tubs and he heard Ransley say they had lost a dozen or 14 after the Boat had been worked the Tubs were carried by the Party to the Carts and put into them.  The Carts then went off by Mr Selby’s towards the Royal Oak and Examinant, John Bailey, Winder and an old man named Quested (the Father of the Man who was hanged)  and two or three more went over Eldergate Bridge by the Canal and along the Military Road to near Jigger’s Green Bridge and then turned across the fields to the right to Aldington Freight as this Party were going along Bailey told Examinant that his Brother Gilham (they married Sisters) had broken his musquet [sic] about one of the Blockade Men.

Examinant was paid for this night’s work by his Brother John on Ransley’s Account and at the same time he paid him also for the Dover Job 21/ for the former and 23/ for the latter.

Note  — On proceeding to the shore they met a Gentleman on Horseback just beyond Mr Selby’s house who appeared to be coming from Botolph’s Bridge he must have observed them he tied up his Horse at Mr Selby’s Gate and went in.

Source

Access to Archives Reference: Depositions Regarding Smuggling, Edward Horn, U951/C27/5, 6 August 1826, Assembly near Fort Moncrief, held at Centre for Kentish Studies

Near Dymchurch, 16 March 1826

The following account of the Aldington Gang‘s activities on 16 March 1826 is reproduced from Felix Hull’s article, ‘The Ransley Gang in Romney Marsh in 1826’, Cantium, vol 4, no 2 (1972) which in turn follows virtually word for word the evidence that Edward Horn provided against the gang (copies of which I received some time after transcribing the Hull article).

Edward Horn states that a few days after the Run at Hythe which was on the 11th March another Run was effected near 27 Tower at the West End of Dymchurch wall at the Herring Hang near Romney Warren. On this occasion he recollects there were present George Ransley, Samuel Bailey, Thomas Gillham, Thomas Denard, Edward Punteny, Thomas Winder, William Smeed, James Smeed, James Wilson, Richard Higgens, Paul Pierce, several men from Dymchurch amongst them were Flisher Waddle and Bourn, all armed and a great Body of the working party between three and four score.

They met on the Evening as usual at Ransley’s and under his lead. At between 9 and 10 they proceeded over Bonnington Bridge across the Military Canal by the Royal Oak kept by one, Huckstead, to Sutton Barn belonging to Mr. Tilby on the Road leading to Dymchurch and after resting in the yard about half an hour they went on to a Horse Bridge across the Sewer called Tatnam Bridge into the main Road leading to Saint Marys to a Barn called Tatnam where they rested about two Hours. Here the Party from Dymchurch joined them. They then proceeded across the Marsh to a Farm House of one Sutherland called Jesson Farm then into a Field on the right hand and across the Road leading to Romney. They then crossed by the back of the Coal Wharf. They were then within 80 or 100 yards of the Beach and there they laid down on the Turf for concealment while Ransley went forward to the Beach to look out for the Boat.

In about half an hour he halloe’d to them as a signal and they then got up and went to the Boat and run the Cargo. The armed men were divided into two Parties; examinant was on the East side and so were Edward Punteny, Thomas Denard, Thomas Winder, Paul Pierce and William Smeed, he does not recollect who else. The Dymchurch armed men were stationed to the westward. A firing commenced to the westward. Immediately after they had got over the Beach towards the boat he saw a man whom he took to be a Blockade man about 10 or a dozen roods off. This man snapped his Pistol but it was only a flash and there was no firing by the armed men stationed on the Examinant’s side, all the firing took place on the west side. Several shots, 6 or 7 Pieces might be fired on that side. The two divisions of armed men might be about 14 roods asunder so that Examinant could not discern what passed on the west side. The firing lasted about 5 minutes just while they were working the Boat. They secured the Tubs but lost the Boat. One or two of the Crew accompanied them part of the way home. He understood from the talk of the Party as they returned that some of the Blockade men were wounded.

The goods are always worked at High Water and it might be between 3 or 4 o’clock when the Boat was worked. He believes they were not pursued by the Blockade Party for the firing ceased as soon as they crossed the full of the Beach. While they were running with their Tubs across the Warren to the Turnpike Road he observed a light like a Rocket in the air. Ransley frequently carried Rockets with him for signals, but by whom the light was thrown up or for what purpose he does not know.

They returned across the Marsh to Sutherland’s Farm house and along the Beach Road and about a quarter of a mile or more from that House they turned into a field on the right where they laid down their Tubs and counted them. He does not know how many there were but he believes about 100. They then proceeded to Tatnam Barn where they again rested and the men from Dymchurch then took their share of the Tubs and carried them home. They then made their way behind Sutton Barn and on to East Bridge near the chapel and got into the main road leading from Dymchurch to Aldington. They then proceeded on their way home to the Royal Oak, Huckstead’s, where they procured what is called their allowance, vizt. Bread and Cheese and Beer. It was then about sun rise. They drew up near the House, sat in a circle round the Tubs and Ransley went into the House and brought out their provisions, the Bread and Cheese and Beer, the latter in pails. The party here might be about 50 or 60. Huckstead the Landlord came to the door, but he does not recollect seeing any of the Family. They remained there about half an hour and then proceeded on towards Aldington and deposited the Tubs in a wood near Ransley’s house, who afterwards paid him 40s. for this Job and that of the 11th March.

There were several men from Ashford of this Party and amongst them Wright a Chimney Sweeper. The company met at Ransley’s and got liquor. In going to the Beach, Ransley left his Cart at Tatnam Barn. he does not recollect seeing any one belonging to that or Sutton or Tatnam Barns, they are lone Buildings, there was a light in the Warren Gate House. On their return they did not stop at Sutherland’s. On the road near Tatnam Bridge they fell in with Ransley’s cart and put about a score of Tubs into it and they left their Fire Arms at Tatnam Bridge which the Dymchurch People took possession of, except James Smeed’s Gun which Ransley’s Boy carried home in the Cart. Ransley himself accompanied the Party with the remainder of the Tubs. After leaving the Royal Oak about ten rods they passed Mr. Coleman’s Farm where two men and one or two women came out and apparently welcomed them. They then turned to the left, out of the road into the Marsh to Bonnington Bridge and to the best of his recollection Ransley gave the Soldier at the Bridge half-a-crown. The object of giving the Money was to induce the Soldier not to let anyone know they had passed – Ransley’s words were, ‘you hav’n’t seen any body, have you?’ They then passed on, up the Horse Road to the Freight and laid the Tubs in a Dyke in the wood by Ransley’s order, who was present.

Hythe, 11 March 1826

This transcription comes from  Edward Horn’s evidence against his former smuggling companions:

Edward Horn states that he recollects a run of Goods taking place, near Hythe, in the beginning of March, about the 11th March on a Saturday morning on this Occasion a firing took place on both sides and the Company lost four Tubs and the Boat which were seized and that it was currently reported that one of the Blockade Men had been wounded.  They run about 100 Tubs.  He remembers that George Ransley, Samuel Bailey, Thomas Gillham, Thomas Denard, Richard Higgins, Edward Pantery, Thomas Winder, William Smeed, James Hogben of Aldington Freight, James Wilson and several men of the armed party from Dymchurch, all these he has mentioned were also armed. In the Evening before the run Examinant and all the persons above named except the Dymchurch men, with many of the working Party met at Ransley’s House and after dark about 9 – started towards Hythe.

At Lympne Hill they were joined by the party from Dymchurch six or seven in number amongst whom he remembers the names of Waddle, Ned Fisher and Bowin.  In the whole there might be 60 or 70 men of whom 14 or 16 were armed with Guns and the greater part of the working party were armed with Bludgeons they proceed from Lympne Hill in a Body to the Hythe through the Turnpike Gate till they came to the Barracks and then turned to the left behind the Church till they came to a Farm house at the extremity of the back part of Hythe.  There they were mustered and counted either by Ransley or Samuel Bailey they then made their way by the Bell public House at the East end of the town and across the Bridge over the Canal and then turned to the right to a foot path called the Ladies walk and across a green field where they concealed themselves under a wall a short distance from the sea while Ransley went forward to look out for the Boat. It might be about midnight after waiting there about half an hour Ransley called out to them to come on and they thereupon proceeded to the Boat and run the Cargo.

On this occasion the armed party were drawn up in two lines to protect those at work. Examinant was on the East side on the full of the Beach. James Wilson was near him. Wilson had got a gun belonging to a man named Waddle besides Wilson there were 6 or 7 others of the armed party on his side to the best of his recollection.  Richard Higgins, William Smeed, Thomas Winder amongst them. Of these Wilson and another discharged their guns but at whom they fired he did not observe nor does he recollect to have observed any Blockade men in advance.  That the crew of the Boat were dressed in white frocks – and Examinant taking them for Blockade Men retreated back a short distance toward the Coal wharf passing to the East of the Storehouse but some of the Company saying they belonged to the Boat he returned. At this time Wilson had discharged his piece and was reloading it.  There was very little firing by the Eastward party.  The Crew of the Boat left her as soon as the working party got up to her.  The west party fired 5 or 6 rounds in consequence of some of the Blockade Party coming up on that side an as the smugglers returned home he heard some of them say that one of the Blockade Men was wounded – he does not recollect by whom this was said.

The run did not last more than about 5 minutes and they returned with their cargo through Hythe up by the Church Yard and got upon the Plain and there laid down the Tubs and counted them during which time the armed party was posted at the Entrance to guard against any pursuit of the Blockade and they then proceeded to Aldington with the Cargo.  Examinant was paid 20/ by Ransley for this nights work about a fortnight afterwards at his House and at the same time Ransley paid him another 20/ for a subsequent job at the Herring Hang on the 16th March. There were several Chimney Sweepers of this party as Tub carriers.  They came from Ashford one man was named Wright and another was George Moore but he was not a Chimney Sweep another Ashford man was Abraham Ebury another Donnacliffe another Goodsell and another named Hughes Mott.

In going to Hythe the Company stopped at Austen’s farmyard at the top of Lympne Hill where they were joined by the party from Dymchurch but he does not recollect seeing anyone belonging to the farm.  On their return they stopped at the Royal Oak Newing Green called the Landlord up and got their allowance of Bread, Cheese & Beer which was ordered by Ransley who of course paid for it – while they got it they laid the Tubs in front of the House.  It might be between two and three in the morning – after this the Dymchurch party went into the House and the rest proceeded along the Turnpike Road nearly to Smeeth Church but before they got to Smeeth they turned to the left and passed Tilts Farm House called the water farm belonging to Sir Edward Knatchbull and two stables. The waggoner was up in each stable and something passed between some of the Party and each of the waggoners but he does not recollect what.

They then passed through the meadows and left Heath [??] Gate Mill on the right and came into the Road leading from Aldington Corner to Smeeth and then turned again into the fields on the right and crossing three or four fields approached the Road leading to Broad Oak where they met Ransley with his Cart who had parted with them when they turned into the Fields at the Water Farm – some of the tubs were put into the Cart and then Examinant separated from the Company and went home.

On Friday Evening the 10th March the Company met at Ransleys house where they got beer which was kept in a brick dairy or washhouse.

Source

Access to Archives Reference: Depositions Regarding Smuggling, Edward Horn, U951/C27/2, 10 May 1826, Regarding the run of good near Hythe, held at the Centre for Kentish Studies