Newsletter 44 - Autumn 2005

Letter to the editor:

A post-script to Livestock Movements on the Hampshire-Sussex Border

Dear Sir

Whilst researching a further topic, I came across the following reference, which shows a darker use of routes that avoided populated areas in southeast Hampshire. My article mentions the ‘Packhorse Inn’ near Stansted Park. In 1785 the tenant was James Hunt. Now read on:

‘In March 1792 Thomas Gloge, Chief Boatman at Hayling Island reported that Morgan Waters, boatswain of the convict ship ‘Fortune’ lying in Langstone Harbour, attempted to bribe him. He said that James Hunt, landlord of the ‘Pack Horse’ at Stansted wished to come to an agreement with him to allow smuggled goods to go into the harbour. Waters told Gloge that he would be paid £50 a year or ‘name his sum to stay at home and not look out’ when a signal was made from the ship.

He further added ‘that if he were to go along to Mr Hunt at the ‘Pack Horse’ everything would be fixed up and no one would know the secret but himself and Mr Hunt’. Gloge refused and also found out that Waters had been a Rider to Mr James Hunt’

Source: Edward Carson, Smugglers and Revenue Officers in the Portsmouth area in the 18th century, Portsmouth Papers no 22

I have yet to find out if Hunt was ever indicted for his activities.

Yours Sincerely,

Malcolm Walford

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