Barnstaple’s petition for jurisdiction of the Port of Appledore (1722)

and

Bideford’s response concerning the Port of Appledore

Transcribed by David Carter 2023

[Spelling remains verbatim.
Implied letters in square brackets, paragraphs, and punctuation added by the transcriber.]

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Catalogue entry:

Calendar of Treasury Papers.
National Archives T1/241, pt.1 fo.171-192.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C5319298

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Background notes:

There has long been a historic rivalry between Bideford and Barnstaple, vying for the best maritime trade, to make their respective merchants and towns wealthy and prosperous. Much of the trade passed through Appledore because ships going to either Bideford or Barnstaple had to pass this port, and most vessels moored there waiting for the tide, or unloaded their cargoes at Appledore, taking them up the Torridge or the Taw in smaller boats. However, all quays and wharfs in these two rivers came under the heading of the “Port of Barnstaple”, no matter where they were.

Between 1604 and 1672, Appledore housed the main Customs Office, and effectively became the administrative port of the estuary. This was under the arrangement of the Customs Farm initiated by James I, and for which Thomas Docton constructed a Customs House with bonded cellars near to the sheltered inlet where the Richmond Dry-Dock would come to be built in Victorian times.

The last Collector in the Port of Appledore, was Peter Docton who “died suddenly” on 1st March 1674/5, owing £473 to the Crown. However, the Customs Farm officially ended in 1671, when a more centralised Board of Customs administration was established, and this document confirms that an office at Bideford commenced on 12th Feb 1671 [1671/2?]. One of these documents also confirms that jurisdiction of the Port of Appledore was granted to Barnstaple in 1677.

In 1722, it appears that some goods being unloaded at Appledore, were being taxed by Customs at Bideford, hence Barnstaple’s petition to state their case that this was incorrect. This was followed by Bideford’s response, which is the text of these transcribed documents. Both were saying that the Port of Appledore fell within their jurisdiction, as these transcribed Petitions will show.

Bideford had the greater quantity of trade though, and this trade further increased when the river Taw became more silted up. Bideford eventually prevailed in 1813, when it was agreed that the boundaries of the Port of Bideford should henceforth include the jurisdiction of Appledore.

In 1882, Bideford had its Port-status removed due to declining trade, but this was reinstated in 1928 following a local campaign.

The documents are transcribed here in the order in which they were archived. Although produced in 1722, some are undated, and others appear to be copies made by the Treasury  in 1726.
The list of documents is as follows:

1722 Feb 07 - Petition from the Borough of Barnstaple.
Statement confirming the extents of the Port of Barnstaple.
1722 July 17 - Treasury confirmation receipt for Barnstaple's petition.
1722 Dec 24 - Treasury Report on Barnstaple's petition.
Extracts of the extents of the Ports of Barnstaple and Bideford.
Memorial from the Borough of Barnstaple.
Petition from the Borough of Barnstaple.
Treasury Report on Barnstaple's petition.
Petition and Map from Bideford (copy made in 1726), signed by 72 inhabitants.
Petition by George Buck of Bideford (copy made in 1726).
Copy list of 73 signatories.
Petition from the Town and Port of Bideford, signed by 46 inhabitants.

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Index of Surnames:

Allin
Baker
Barnes
Bear
Berry
Berryman
Bird
Blinch
Board
Brayley
Browne
Buck
Burges
Cawsey
Coplestone
Crossing
Curtis
Darracott
Davie
Dennerd, Dennord
Dennis
Donn
Doubt
Evelyn
Evins
Fanson
Finney
Froad
Glubb
Goodwin
Gower
Grandville
Greening
Gribble
Harris
Hartnoll
Harvie
Heydon
Hockridge
Horwood
Hurtins
Jarman
Johns
Lake
Lendon
Luxon
Marks
Maynard
Merefild
Nation
Nicholls, Nicolls
Pardon
Parett
Pavett
Pawley
Payne
Pitts
Power
Reed
Reeve
Rock
Rowe
Shapley
Shapton
Smith
Stanley
Stevens
Stoat
Strange
Tallamy
Tallin
Taylor
Tracy
Trott
Tyer
Wakely
Walker
Walpole
Watson
Whetham
Wheitfield
Williams
Wood
Wren

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Transcript of Documents:

Pages 171 & 172:

On the outside:

Report 24 Dec[ember] 1722 on the petition, mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the Borough of Barnstaple. 7th February 1722/3.
Make a copy of this report for Mr Whetham.
8th April 1723.
Read.

On the inside:

May it please your Lord[shi]ps.

In obedience to your commands signify[e]d to us on the annext petition of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, Merchants and Traders of the Borough & Parish of Barnstaple in the County of Devon, setting forth:

“That the Port of Barnstaple is a very antient Port and did formerly comprehend the Port of Bideford and all the creeks and harbours within the Bar of Barnstaple, the duties of keyage whereof belong to the said Corporation, that upon the erection of the Port of Bideford the creek or harbour of Appledore was left as it ever was to the Port of Barnstaple, the dismembring whereof, and annexing it to, the Port of Bideford would be of the most fatal consequence to the Port of Barnstaple and the revenues and privileges of the said Town.
That long since the erection of the port of Bideford, the several ports and the limits and bounds thereof have been visited by virtue of a writt or commission from the Court of Exchequer, and by the return of such writ or commission, Appledore is limited to be as it always was, within the port of Barnstaple. That the Collector and other Officers of the Customs at the Port of Bideford have of late granted Warrants and Dispatches for the delivering and shipping of goods imported & exported at Appledore, which is not only a handle for ill designing men to carry on a clandestine trade between the two ports, but also maybe the occasion of unwary mens incurring the penalties of divers statutes for not making their entries, and having their dispatches at the proper port, and besides is a notorious infringement on the revenues and privileges of the Corporation of Barnstaple, therefore praying your Lord[shi]ps that the matters complained of may be inquired into and redress[se]d, and we being directed to consider the same, and report to your Lord[shi]ps a true scale of the matter therein contained, with our opinion what we think fit to be done therein”.

We humbly report that we transmitted [a] copy of the said petition to the principal Officers of the Ports of Barnstaple and Bideford, and having received their answers and considered the same, together with the extents and limits of each port as settled by virtue of a commission issued out of the Court of Exchequer in Easter Term 29 Car[olus] 2 [1677] for setting down, appointing and settling the extents, bounds and limits of the Port of Exeter, Dartmouth, Bideford and Barnstaple, and the other members and creeks belonging unto the said Port of Exeter, it appears that the limits of the Port of Barnstaple by virtue of the said commission, extend from the Bar of Barnstaple unto a Rocke called Whipplestone or Hubbastone in the parish of Northam in the rivers of Bideford. And that the Port of Bideford extends from the said Rock on both sides of the river to Bideford Bridge, an extract whereof is hereto annext. And Appledore lying between the said Rock and the Bar of Barnstaple – We are humbly of opinion that the dispatches for the shipping and unshipping goods at Appledore should legally be granted by the proper Officers of the Port of Barnstaple only, and if your Lordships approve thereof, we shall give the necessary directions accordingly.

All which is humbly submitted to your Lord[shi]ps consideration.

Signed:
J Stanley[?]
[blank] Walker
T Maynard
J Evelyn

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Page 173:

Extract of the Extents, Bounds and Limits of the Port of Barnstaple.

And by vertue of the said Com[m]ission, we do hereby set downe, appoint and settle the extents, bounds and limitts of the said Port to be as followeth, viz:

From a Rock in the sea called Morstone adjoining to the parish of Morthooe, and so westward on the coast to the southend of the Bar of Barnstaple. And from thence on the west side of the river to the Creeke of Appledore, and unto a rock called Whipplestone or Hubbastone in the parish of Northam. And from the northend of the said Barr, to the Pill called Jewells Pill beyond the key commonly called the New Quay, in the parish of Instow. And likewise, from the said Bar to the Long Bridge of Barnstaple, with all the strands, shoares, pills and creeks on the north and south side of the river of Barnstaple, and within the said limitts.

Extract of the Extents, Bounds and Limits of the port of Biddeford.

And by virtue of the said commission, we do hereby sett downe, appoint, and settle the extents, bounds, and limitts of the said Port to be as followeth viz:

From the furtherest part west of the north side of the County of Devon in the parish of Welcombe, and from thence eastward to Hartland Point, and to Clovelly Key, and thence on the sea coast as far as the Barr of Barnstaple on the south side thereof. Also from a Rock in the parish of Northam called Whiplestone or Hubbastone on the west side of the river of Biddeford, and from the Pill called Jewells Pill near the Newkey in the parish of Instow on the east side of the said river, and so on both sides of it as far as the long bridge of Biddeford aforesaid.

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Page 175:

Representation taken from the Corporation of Barnstaple.

Whitehall Treasury Chambers, 17th July 1722.

The Lords Com[m]issioners of his Ma[jesty]s Treasury are pleased to refer this Memoriall to the Com[m]issioners of his Ma[jesty]s Customes, who are to consider the same, and report to their Lo[rdshi]pps a true state of the matter therein contained, together with their opinion what they thinke fit to be done therein.

[signed]: Walpole

Barnstaple Corporation Refs to Com[mmione]rs Customes.

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Page 176:

To the R[igh]t Hon[oura]ble the Lords Comm[issione]rs of his Ma[jes]ties Treasury.

The Humble Memorial of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, Merchants & Traders of the Burrough and Parish of Barnstaple, in the County of Devon.

Sheweth:
That the Port of Barnstaple is a very antient Port and did long within the memory of man comprehend the now Port of Bideford and all the creeks and harbours within the Barr of Barnstaple, the duties of keyage whereof belong to this Corporation.

That upon the erection of the Port of Bideford the creek or harbour of Appledore was left as it was ever before, to the Port of Barnstaple, the dismembering whereof and annexing it to the Port of Bideford would be of the most fatal consequence to the Port of Barnstaple and the revenues and priviledges of our Town in regard many of our merchants and traders living in this Town and at Appledore, do often times unload and land their goods at Appledore, and either dispose thereof these or else from thence bring the same up to Barnstaple in boats, and in such case would be obliged to make all their entryes for such ships and goods at, and have all their dispatches from, the Custom House of Bideford.

That long since the erection of the Port of Bideford, the several ports and the limmits and bounds thereof have been visited by virtue of a writ or commission from the Court of Excheq[ue]r and by the reason of such writ or commission, Appledore is limmited to be as it always was, within the Port of Barnstaple, as by the records of the same Court may appear, and hath so continued ever since, and is well known and by all men esteemed so to be.

That the Collector and other Custom House Officers at the Port of Bideford have of late granted Warrants and Dispatches for the delivering and shipping of goods imported and exported at Appledore aforesaid, within the limits of the Port of Barnstaple which is not only a handle for ill designing men to carry on a clandestine trade between the two ports, but also may be the occasion of unwary mens incurring the penaltyes of divers statutes for not making their entryes and having their dispatches at the proper Port, and is besides a notorious infringement on the revenues and privileges of this Corporation which, if not timely remedied, may encourage those Officers at Bideford in process of time to send their Warrants and Despatches even to the very Town of Barnstaple. And as a step forward such a proceeding, some of the Officers of our Port are of late without any just reason as we humbly apprehend now paid their salaries out of the revenues arising in the Port of Bideford.

All which matters and premises complained of, are prayed to be enquired into, considered of, and redress[se]d, by the Wisdom, Justice and Order of your Lordships.

There follows a map representing the relative positions of Bideford, Barnstaple and Appledore, demonstrating why Appledore should be included within the Port of Barnstaple. It is written here that:

“All within the Barr to Whibblestone [Hubbastone] to Jewills Pill [on east side of the Torridge, opposite Hubbastone], is in the Port of Barnstaple. Consequently Appledore (where severall merchants live) is in the Port of Barnestaple, and from Whibblestone to Bideford is in the Port of Bideford.”

“The New key [at Instow] belongs to Barnestaple, where our ships lye, and from thence goods are brought to Lighters to Barnestaple, ships not being able to able to come up.”

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Page 179:

To the Right Hono[ra]ble the Lords Com[m]issioners of his Majesties Treasury.

The Humble Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, Merchants and Traders of the Borough and Parish of Barnestaple in the County of Devon.

Sheweth:
That in regard to the Honourable Com[m]issioners of his Majesties Customs have reported to your Lordships, that the dispatches for the shiping and unshiping goods at Appledore should legally be granted by the proper officers of Barnestaple only.

Your Petitioners:
Therefore most humbly pray your Lordships, that for the future, the Com[m]issioners of his Majesties Customs may give directions to their officers at Bideford, not to grant any warrants for the shiping or unshiping of any goods at Appledore, or elsewhere within the Port of Barnestaple. And that such directions may be signifyed both to the officers of Bideford and Barnestaple. And that Appledore (in all deputations to be granted for the establishing any officer there) may in such deputation be expressed to be within the Port of Barnestaple.

And your Petitioners shall pray &c.

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Page 181 and 182:

The case of the Towne of Barnestaple in Com[itatus] Devon in relation to the Port thereof:

The limitts of the Port of Barnestaple were settle by vertue of a com[m]ission issued from the Court of Exchequer in Easter Terme 29 Carol[us] 2nd [1677], and in the return made by the Co[m]missioners, Appledore is particularly mentioned to be in the Port of Barnestaple.

That of late yeares, the Collector and other Officers of the Customs at the Port of Bideford, have granted warr[an]ts and dispatches for the delivering and shipping of goods imported and exported at Appledore, which is a great infringement on the Revenues and Priveledges of the Corporation of Barnestaple.

That sometime in November 1722, the Corporation of Barnestaple preferred their Petition to the Lords of the Treasury, complaining of this infringem[en]t, and praying to be redressed, their Lordshipps referred the matter of the complaint to the Com[mission]ers of the Customs.

The Com[mission]ers of the Customs by their report of the 24th Decemb[er] 1722, have certifyed that the limitts of both the Port of Barnestaple and Bideford were settled by vertue of the above Com[m]ission, and that the limitts of the Port of Barnestaple extend from the Bar of Barnestaple into a Rock called Whipplestone in the Parish of Northam in the River of Bideford - and that the Port of Bideford extends from the said Rock on both sides of the River to Biddiford Bridge. And Appledore, lying between the said Rock and the Bar of Barnestaple.

That the dispatches for the shipping and unshipping goods at Appledore should legally be granted by the proper Officers of Barnestaple only, and if their Lordshipps approve thereof, they would give the necessary directions accordingly.

That since the report of the Com[m]issioners of the Customs, frequent application hath been made to the Treasury on behalfe of Barnestaple, that the proper directions may be given to the Comm[ission]ers of the Customs, viz: That the dispatches for the shipping & shipping of goods at Appledore may be granted by the proper offices of Barnestaple only.

But the Towne of Bideford in opposition to what is prayed for Barnestaple have by their Memorial insisted that the dispatches for the shipping and unshipping goods at Appledore in and out of ships, for or from the Port of Bidedford [sic] have ever since the 12th Feb[rua]ry 1671 (when there was first a Custom-house) issued from the Custom House of Bideford.

That if the dispatches shou[l]d issue to Appledore from the Port of Barnestaple only, 'twou[l]d be very injurious to the trade of Biddeford & thereby lessen his Majesty's revenue and subject the merchants of Biddeford to the payment of Keyage to Barnestaple, which would prejudice the Right of the Countess of Grandville and Lord Gower, who as Proprietors of the Mannor of Bideford, are entitled to the Keyage of Biddeford. And therefore they hope their ancient priveledges shall be continued to them, or that their port may be reviewed.

The complaint made by Barnestaple doth not in the least tend to lessen the Port of Biddeford, but the discharge of ships at Appledore by vertue of dispatches from the Officers of Biddeford, prevents any Keyage from being paid at all, because they never go into the Port of Biddeford, which is a fraud and the Town of Biddeford insiste on it purely to save the Keyage.

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Page 184 and 186:

We whose names are underwritten, inhabitants in or near the Port of Bideford, having often viewed the River & Port of Bideford & keys thereof.

Do certifie that the lyer before the key on the west side the s[ai]d River is so chocked up with sand, mudd & stone, that ships of eighty tons & upwards, laden with goods cannot come near the key unless on the height of a spring tide, and even then, are in great danger of damaging both ships & goods, by the sands washing away from under their bottoms, as has been often found by experience. And that no part of the ground near the same key, is so safe for any ships, as the ground on the east side of the s[ai]d river.

That for several years last past, the River has alter[e]d its course, and now runs on the east side, as it formerly did on the west side, which has scoured off the sand & mud, and made the ground on the east side free & safe for ships or galleys of burthen to lie upon with safety, & without danger of taking any damage.

And we do further certifie that on low tides, the boats from Apledore with passengers are forced to land them on the east side, not having water to come near the key on the west side.

And we do farther certifie that we do well know the Juliana of the burthen of 180 tons, the Maryland Merch[an]t of ab[ou]t 140 tons, the Amity 120 tons, the Sophia 120 [tons], the Crown 120 [tons], the Globe 90 tons, the Exchange 90 tons, with three other ships of lesser burthen, all belonging to Mr Geo[rge] Buck of Bideford (most of whom are clear gally built) and that none of them can, without great hazard and danger to ship & goods, lie at any part of the key on the west side, w[hi]ch with safety they may do, on the east side of the said river.

[Copy] Dated on 17th October 1726.

[The following names (not signatures) are written in six columns]:

Antho: Berry
John Baker
George Lake
Will Fanson
Tho: Merefild
Ar: Bear junr
John Lake
Every Parett
Rich'd Tallin
James Lendon
Geo Dennis

Edward Tyer
Roger Horwood
John Harvie
John Froad
Jos'h Pardon
Tho Coplestone
Abra Curtis
John Jarman
George Brayley
Geo Browne
Geo Berryman
Wm Curtis
Phil Gribble

Fran: Crossing
Rob't Rowe
John Marks
Rich'd Nicolls
Will: Board
Tho's Pavett
John Tracy
Henry Brayley
Wm Greening

W Greening
Tho Johns
T Power
Rob't Wren
Rich'd Hartnoll
C Nation
Joseph Dennerd
Hugh Stevens
Bartho Shapton
John Rock

Corio(?) Coplestone
John Harris
Wm Shapley
Tho Smith
Edward Greening
Ne Watson
Henry Evins
H Buck
Phil Blinch
Rich'd Blinch
John Marks
Chr Coplestone
John Doubt

Geo Strange, mayor
J Buck, justice
Tho Lake
John Darracott senr
Geo Strange junr
G Buck
Cha Davie
R'd Blinch
Wm Reeve
James Finney
John Darracott junr
William Rock
Willm Strange
John Luxon
Tho Marks
Arthur Williams

There follows a map drawn by the Bideford Petitioners, with notes about the various locations situated in the river Torridge.
It is written here that:

[Tapeley]: “As far as Tapley on this side, the Port of Bideford comes without dispute, but no goods are landed ab[ou]t Tapley”.

[Instow]: “New Key at Instow, being a free Key of Barnstaple”.

Appledore: “Claimed by the Collector of Bideford, but the officers of Barnstaple insist it belongs to them & enjoy it accordingly”.

[East-the-Water, Bideford]: “Where the flow is near the Bridge on the east is the key Mr Buck mentions in his petition & which hath been used constantly without interruption till w[hi]ch in 3 months last past for landing & reshipping all sorts of goods”.

[Bideford]: “The Keys at Bideford on the east & west are open & visible to all p[er]sons on the Bridge or on any of 6 keys”.

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Page 187 and 188:

To the Hon[era]ble the Comm[issione]rs of his Ma[jes]ties Customs

The humble Petition of George Buck of Bideford in the County of Devon, esq.
Humbly sheweth:

That your petitioner for about thirty years last past, have carried on a very considerable trade to Virginia, Newfoundland, Carolina, and other places from the port of Bideford, by which trade, many 1000 pounds duty has been paid to the Crown, that for the most part of this time your pet[itione]r landed his goods on the key, on the West side of the river.

But for some years past, the river has altered his course, and the lyer on the West side is so filled up with mudd, sand and rubbish, that it's difficult and dangerous for any ships of burthen, or gallies (search as your pet[itioner]s are) to come or lie there, so that yo[u]r pet[itione]r was necessitated to seek a place of more safety for lying his ships and his trade increasing, hired the largest house in the town on the east side the river, where the course of the river now runs, and has for several years last passed landed his goods on a com[m]odious an[d] ancient key there two adjoining (with the consent an[d] allowance of all the officers) and whereon all manner of goods have been landed without contradiction, time out of mind.

And the said key has been represented to your Hon[our]s as a convenient key for so doing by most if not all the present officers of the port, in order to be made a free key, which certificate sent to your Hon[ou]rs about three years since your pet[itione]r conceives may be among yo[u]r hon[ou]rs loose papers.

And your pet[itione]r believes that during the whole course of his trade, no officer can charge him with any unfair practises to defraud the Revenue either on this or any other key.

That your Petitioner hath this present year discharged four ships from Virginia and Maryland on the same key, with approbation of the officers, and did not think of meeting any obstruction in discharging one ship more, viz: the Juliana with about two hundred and fifty h[ogs]h[ea]ds of tobacco, lately arrived from Maryland, but wanting water to come up to the key when she arrived was forced to lie in the pool at Apledore, until next Spring, whereupon your pet[itione]r reported the ship at the Custom house, and entered one hundred h[ogs]h[ea]ds of her cargo. And on the 7th brought up forty four h[ogs]h[ea]ds in boats which with difficulty (for want of water) got landed on the West side of the river. That this day forty one h[ogs]h[ea]ds more were brought up in boats, when the tide was so low, as the boats were not able to come to the key on the west side to discharge them.

Your pet[itione]r then applied to the Collector and Surveyor, setting forth the case and the danger of keeping the tobacco in the boats until the tides should rise to bring them to the key on the West side, and procured their leave for landing the tobacco on the key east side the river, where was water sufficient, but at the same time the surveyor declared he would not discharge or weigh said tobacco, or any remaining on board the ship at that key without an order from yo[u]r Hon[ou]rs or sufferance from the Collector, which latter the Coll[ecto]r absolutely refused under his hand, but told the server he was very willing it should be there discharged as usual and had no objection ag[ain]st it, and to show his willingness would come himself and see part of it weighed.

[Margin note here]…“The Coll[ecto]r notwithstanding affixed to a post a publick paper requesting all officers to seise any goods landed at any unfree key, unless there was a war[ran]t under his hand for it.”

Their resolves, thus part, on both sides and your pet[itione]r absolutely carr[ie]d from landing his tobacco where he can bring it or his ship with safety, and having contracted with a gentleman of Plymouth for the French Directors of the India Company for several hundred h[ogs]h[ea]ds of tobacco to be presently delivered, may be in danger of losing his contract by this hindrance, or must be compelled to carry his ship to the Port of Barnstaple to his great cost and trouble being far from his lye, and inspection, and liable to many casual ties and dangers, more than they would be in his own house and cellars which at the same time must lie vacant.

Besides the hindrance of time, your petitioner must be put to, in attending at four miles distance when his other affairs require his being at home having at this time several ships fitting out for Maryland, which must be neglected in his absence, and in the end is a loss to the Revenue and prejudice to trade.

Your pet[itione]r doth therefor humbly pray your consideration of his circumstances and trade your Hon[ou]rs will be pleased to grant him such relief as shall be thought proper by having liberty, if you're Hon[ou]rs think fitt to land his goods at the aforesaid key as hath being practised beyond the memory of man to the present time.
And your pet[itione]r shall pray &c.

[signed]: G Buck

Vera Copia, Brian Taylor, 10 Sept 1726.

[Note in a different hand]:
Mr G Buck hath not yet had any ~?~ to this petition, and the Collector tho he denyed warrants to Mr Buck to land goods on the East side of River, hath granted since this petition, warrants to several other people to land their goods on the east side, & the Collector in all respects harrasses Mr Buck with all the difficultys in trade that he can, so that(?) if Mr Buck hath not a standing ord[e]r from the Com[missione]rs of the Collector, shall constantly grant warrants for landing his goods on & from the key on the east side, then(?) the Collector will in consequence def~?~ Mr Buck of liberty of trade at Bideford & drive him elsewhere for trade, & Mr Buck desires that the upmost examination of this affair may be made, he being satisfied if the Collector cannot justify w[ha]t he does.

Copy of Mr G Buck's petition to the Com[missioner]s of the Customs.

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Page 190:

[The following names (not signatures) are written in five columns. They are almost identical to those on page 184, but do have slight differences]:

Anthony Berry
John Baker
George Lake
Will Fanson
Tho: Merefild
Ar: Bear junr
Fran Stoat
John Lake
Every Parett
James Lendon
Rich'd Tallin
Geo Dennis

Edward Tyer
Roger Horwood
John Harvie
John Froad
Jos'h Pardon
Tho Coplestone
Abra Curtis
John Jarman
George Brayley
Geo Browne
Geo Berryman
Wm Curtis
Phil Gribble

Fran: Crossing
Rob't Rowe
John Marks
Tho: Johns
Rich'd Nicolls
Will: Board
William Greening
Tho's Pavett
T Power
Rob't Wren
John Tracy
Henry Brayley
Joseph Dennerd
Hugh Stevens
Wm Greening

Corio(?) Coplestone
John Harris
Wm Shapley
Tho Smith
Edward Greening
Ne Watson
Henry Evins
H Buck
Phil Blinch
Rich'd Blinch junr
John Marks
Chr Coplestone
Rich'd Hartnoll
C Nation
John Doubt
Bartho Shapton
John Rock

Geo Strange, mayor
J Buck, justice
Tho Lake
John Darracott
Geo Strange junr
G Buck
Cha: Davie
R'd Blinch
Wm Reeve
John Darracott junr
James Finney
William Rock
Thos Marks
Arthur Williams
Willm Strange
John Luxon

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Page 192:

To the right Hon[oura]ble the Lords Commissioners of His Majesties Treasury, the Humble Memorial and Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, Capital Burgesses, Merchants and Traders of the Town and Port of Bideford, in the County of Devon.

Showeth:
That whereas a Memorial hath been sometime since presented to your Lordships by the Port of Barnstaple, from a groundless Cavil raised about dispatches issuing from the Custom House where for the shipping and unshipping goods at Appledore in & out of ships for, or from, this port, which was ever the practice since the 12th of February 1671 [i.e. 1671/2], when we had a Custom House.

And that whereas by the order of the Hon[oura]ble Commissioners of the Customs to the Principal Officers here directed, a particular account of that practice hath upon their best inquiry as well as information from us been in August last, transmitted to, and now lyes before their Hon[ourab]le W[orshi]ps, which we hoped (from the truth and reasonableness of it, and from our hearing nothing to the contrary) had proved & still do, will prove a full sattisfactory answer to the said Memorial.

And we being now surprised with a paper, said to be a copy of their Hon[ou]rs report to your Lordships on the said Memorial & Enquiry, wherein the reasons formerly alledg[e]d & allowed of, for confirming and continuing the said practice, as well as the hardships and inconveniences attending the Trade at Bideford, should the same be altered, then as well as in the s[ai]d answer set forth, have been disregarded, or at least intirely omitted, yet an opinion given in favour of such alteration (only because Appledore is said to belong to the Port of Barnstaple) should y[ou]r Lordships think fit to approve thereof.

We your Lordships Petitioners most humbly crave leave to set forth that Bideford is an ancient, loyal and very considerable trading Port, and that the revenue arising to the Crown therefrom, hath amounted to some hundred thousand pounds. And that it hath deserved better of our present happy establishment than Barnstaple, by furnishing their late Majesties with several thousand men for manning the Royal Navy, and with above fifty sail of stout transport ships for the reduction of Ireland, when they could not, or did not, set out five. That our river being within these twenty years so altered and choked with sand, that vessels of eighty tons without being lightened, cannot even on spring tydes come within the prescribed limitts of this Port, tho[ugh] before, our ships of three or four hundred tons came up to our Key.

And the limitts of Barnstaple being unnaturally extended so far on both sides of our river, it’s impossible to bring in, or send out, our laden ships above them, and the only place in the whole Harbour for ships to ride afloat, to complete their lading when outward, or to lighten when inward bound, is the Poole between, or made by, the rivers of Bideford and Barnstaple. That therefore the prohibition of this well known ancient and agreed method of our despatches, and the taking them from Barnstaple, must unavoidably be attended w[i]th such hardships and inconveniences, as well as charge to the Crown, and the merchants, as must necessarily put a stop to, and destroy our open fair trade, thereby lessin his Maj[es]ty’s revenue, starve our poor and prove the great impoverishment, if not utter ruin of this large populous Town.

That this practice hath been in uninterrupted usage except in two instances, in one of w[hi]ch, anno 1664 Mr Richard Score late Collector of Exon (a very intelligent officer & when pro Collect[or] here) took the entry & was justified in so doing by the then Hon[oura]ble Commiss[ione]rs and the Collect[o]r of Barnstaple, ordered to return the goods seiz[e]d and pay the merchants the damage, & on the settlement thereof, the next year the said practice was agreed to & confirmed, as appears by an agreement then transmitted their Hon[ou]rs (on an enquiry made pursuant to their order) and signed by all the Principal Officers of both Ports, who therein declare it to be for the Preservation of his Maj[es]ties interest with conveniency of the merch[an]ts all humbly proposing the practice might be continued, as it hath been accordingly.

And the an attempt was made before the Civil Warrs by the people at Barnstaple, to subject the merch[an]ts of this Port to the discharge of their goods, & to the payment of the Keyidge there (which would now be the consequence of taking out dispatches thence) but the latter being the right of, & ever paid to, the noble ancestors of the present Noble Proprietors of this Manor the R[igh]t Hon[oura]ble the Countess Grandville & Lord Gower, and the former appearing impracticable, their designs proved ineffectual. For a more particular account whereof, as well as of other materiall facts, we humbly refer to the papers and informations we gave to be inserted in, or transmitted w[i]th, the before mentioned answer.

That it cannot be made appear tho[ugh] falsely suggested in the Memorial, that their hath been any instance of fraud by this practice in our port, but that several fraudulent dispatches even for tobacco entered here, have been granted at their Port only (one instance whereof is now before the Court of Excheq[ue]r) to the prejudice of us fair traders, who have tacitly seen others of our harbour thrive by mean clandestine dealing, while our open fair trade hath been under heavy pressures and discouragem[en]ts. We therefore humbly hope it shall not be sacrificed to the false insinuations of our envious neighbours, or of some unthinking officers, who have for some years past fomented the present differences, & within these few months, highly injured us by detaining several parcells of our Irish wooll and linnens on board for some weeks, [un]till their merch[an]ts goods were discharged.

Wherefore may it please your Lordships to take this our case into your tender consideration, and then we cannot doubt of Justice and Redress, we shall then not fear but our ancient privileges shall be continued to us, & our trade supported, or that your Lordships will at least allot us a Reviue of our Port by some discrete impartial persons, as we hope we are intitled to by the Act of Frauds on the Alteration of our river & sands, and as an encouragement due to so considerable a trade.

And y[ou]r Lordships Humble Petitioners shall ever pray, etc.

[Signed in six columns – not always clearly readable]:

Jno Wheitfield
Tho Pavett
John Reed
Philip Payne
Richard Hockridge
William Heydon
Stephen Trott
John Goodwin

Thomas Johns
Peter Wakely
Bartho Shapton
Richard Nicholls
William Wood
Rich Pitts

Joseph Dennord
John Burges
George Donn
Nicholas Barnes
Jno Power
Jno Bird
Richard Power
James Darracott
Arthur Hurtins

Tho Pawley
Thomas Smith
Edward Smith
John Rook
John Doubt
T Power
William Darracott
William Pitts
John Harris

Richard Blinch
James Finney
William Reeve
Thomas Lake
Jonathan Tallamy
Jno ~?~aks
Wm Allin

Jno Cawsey mayor
John Darracott justice
George Strange
Jno Buck
George Strange junr
Peter Glubb
Cha: Davie

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