The Owlers.

This is a term for smugglers used since medieval times in Kent. It is not known how the term is derived. It could be for one of three reasons:-

The export of wool from England was prohibited from medieval times to protect the weaving trade. However, the result was that as there was overproduction, the price for wool was too low for many farmers to make a decent profit. The answer was to smuggle the wool to the Continent where English wool was in great demand. Import customs duties were established originally in 1272 by Edward I to assist in paying for his wars against France and this meant that the smugglers now had a reason for starting a two way trade across the Channel.

All kinds of goods were smuggled into England such as brandy, gin or geneva, rum, lace, gloves, jewelry and, in huge quantities, tea. In 1770, a pound of tea costing 7d in France could be sold for 5 shillings and a four gallon tub of brandy bought for £ 1 would sell for ٢. Even at those prices the purchaser would consider they were getting a bargain.

One of the main 'centers' or haunts of these Owlers was The Romney Marshes, just as much an area for sheep rearing then as it is today. In 1662, the Death Penalty was introduced for anyone caught smuggling wool. Of course, catching the smuggler was the problem and rather than deter the individuals involved, the use of firearms became more prevalent. In 1671 it was estimated that approximately 20,000 packs of wool a year were reaching Calais alone. Not too surprising when, in April, 1697, there would have been 160,000 sheep shorn on The Marshes and wool was also being brought from areas further inland.

By the end of the 1600's the use of firearms was becoming commonplace and for the next 150 years there was virtually open warfare in Kent. Even after 1800 is was normal for armed convoys of smugglers with more than 100 horses to ride straight through the middle of Canterbury in broad daylight on their way to London.

Although most of the Gangs had their hard core members, there was extensive use made of "casual" labour in the area where a run might be made. In the majority of cases these part time smugglers were agricultural labourers who wanted to supplement their income which in say, 1810, would have been between 6d and 8d a day. An ordinary carrier of goods for the smugglers could earn up to a guinea a week or 3 shillings a night. One of the individuals who would stand guard armed with a stout ash "bat" (capable of inflicting severe damage or even killing a person) could earn double this amount.

The most successful gangs were led by men that usually had a great flair for organisation. A landing site for a cargo had to set as well as perhaps one or two alternate spots, up to three hundred men had to appear as if from nowhere at the appointed time together with dozens of horses and often carts as well. The contraband had to be landed quickly and efficiently and then the whole group then had to be dispersed with armed guards to escort the cargo inland. Without the aid of modern conveniences or even good roads the logistics of some of these arrangements was quite amazing. Tea was often brought in by the ton (thirteen and a half tons is the largest record I have so far seen for a single cargo) and spirits which were usually in casks called tubs (a half-anker tub held four gallons and a man usually carried two of these joined together by rope over his shoulders). A report written in 1813 about the Rye and Hastings area (just in the next County of Sussex) estimated the annual illicit import of brandy, gin and other spirits into this locale alone was between 3 and 400,000 gallons a year! Just prior to this, a report on the import of tea suggested that of 24 million pounds of tea drunk in England each year, some 13 million pounds was brought in my smugglers.

Early in the 1800's two things were major contributors to the decline of smuggling. First and foremost was the defeat of Napoleon. This meant that there were now additional ships to start the "coastal blockade" and there were additional men available to increase the preventative service, soon to become the coastguards. The second thing, which is sometimes overlooked is the gradual improvements to the roads or turnpikes. This increased the amount of traffic and made it easier to move troops. It became increasingly more difficult for the smugglers to go about their trade without being noticed.

Names of individuals.

Government Officials:

Smugglers

 


© P.E. Blanche 2000
  • Joy, Richard - 'The Kentish Giant' who stood over seven feet tall and weighed in at 159Kg. A farm labourer from St. Peter's in Broadstairs, he was caught smuggling and pressed into the Navy. He was known to have carried a loaded cannon across a ship's deck for an extra ration of rum. It took six normal men to replace it. He was presented at Court to William III but was eventually drowned in May, 1742 at the age of 67 on yet another smuggling run. Old habits die hard.

The picture on the left is of the gravestone of Richard Joy in the churchyard of St. Peter's at Broadstairs in Thanet. The quality is not good because of the heavy shadows and will be replaced at a later date.




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