Early Customs and Excise Officers

This includes Officers employed until 1839 who I have found during my research into Cowes Customs, it is by no means complete and in some cases spelling is inconsistent, I have given that in the record.

Background

The Boards of Customs and Excise were set up as separate organisations in the 17th Century. Basically Customs collected duties on imported goods and Excise duties due at the time of manufacture, although was clearly some overlap in their enforcement. One early example of Excise duty was that on salt and it will be seen that a good number of officers were employed on the Island in collecting such duty.

For a concise history of Customs and Excise see the National Archives site

List of Officers

For Source abbreviations: see here

1673

8 July John RAY, surveyor, messenger and gauger of duty of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1680

Prior to Joseph DAWSON, Collector (Thorold)

John POCOCK, Collector (Thorold)

1689

14 July Henry HYCON, one of the gaugers of Their Majesty's duty of excise, Northwood (Sac, IOW)

1695

Thomas COLE, Collector (Thorold)

1707

19 July William CAVE, salt officer, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1711 - 1725

John DALE, Collector (Thorold)

1723

Daniel DAURLEY of West Cowes, Excise Officer at Northwood, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

1725 - 1738

Newlands REYNOLDS, Collector (Thorold) Dismissed for Malpractices

1727

John METCALFE Officer of Excise of Cowes, IOW at Newport, IOW (Sac, Hants)

Thomas WELLS officer of the Customs in the Port of Cowes at Shalfleet (Sac, Hants)

John TAYLOR officer of His Majesty's Customs at Shalfleet (Sac, Hants)

Samuel MITCHELL, Riding Officer of His Majesty's Customs at Shalfleet (Sac, Hants)

James IMBER, officer of His Majesty's Customs at Shalfleet, I.o.W (Sac, Hants)

John LEMON, Officer of His Majesty's Customs at Shalfleet, I.o.W (Sac, Hants)

Thomas THACKSTONE, officer of H.M. customs in the Port of Cowes at St. Helens, I.o.W (Sac, Hants)

Thomas TREHEARNE, Officer of H.M. Customs in the Port of Cowes at St. Helens, I.o.W. (Sac, Hants)

John FURSMAN, Riding Officer of H.M. Customs in the Port of Cowes at St. Helens, I.o.W. (Sac, Hants)

George SPENCER, Officer for the salt duties at Newtown at Thorley, I.o.W (Sac, Hants)

Nicholas MILLICHAMP, officer for the salt duties at Newtown at Thorley, I.o.W. (Sac, Hants)

1730

2 Aug Richard SNOW, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1731

William GODWIN, appointed (Brading)

1732

Samuel ONELY officer of the Salt Duty at Shalfleet, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

John SMITH officer of the Salt Duty at Shalfleet, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

George WILLY Officer of the Salt Duty at Shalfleet, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

Samuel HENSHAW Officer of the Salt Duty at Shalfleet, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

John BARTLETT officer of the Salt Duty at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

Thomas ROBINS, officer of Salt Duty at Shalfleet, I.O.W. (Sac, Hants)

John SEARS officer of Salt Duty at Shalfleet, I.O.W (Sac, Hants)

Thomas HOUGHTON, Officer of the Salt Duty at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

George SPENCER Officer of the Salt Duty at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

John THORPE Officer of the Salt Duty at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

John HAWKINS Officer of the Salt Duty at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

Joseph BELBEN Officer of the Salt Duty at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

1735

William DANVERS Officer of Salt Duties at Shalfleet, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

1736

5 Sep Adam IBBOTSON, collector of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

14 Nov George COOKE, officer of excise at Carisbrooke, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1737

10 April Andrew STONES, officer of excise, Carisbrooke (Sac, IOW)

1738

John REED, Collector (Thorold)

28 May Thomas NEWTON, collector of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1739

22 April Lister SIMONDSON, collector of excise, Carisbrooke (Sac, IOW)

10 June Richard CHESTWOOD, officer of excise, Cowes (Sac, IOW)

1740

12 Oct Richard ROGERS, officer of customs at port of Cowes, Newport (Sac, IOW)

11 July John VENN, collector of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

24 Dec John WILKINSON, Custom House Cowes (National Archives)

24 Dec Andrew MOUNCHER, tidesman (National Archives)

30 Dec John READ, Collector of Customs (National Archives)

1742

8 Oct Andrew MOUNCHER, employed in Customs at West Cowes (National Archives)

1743

3 April George SHELLS, officer of excise at Carisbrooke, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1744

14 Oct John MANBY, officer of excise of West Cowes, Newport (Sac, IOW)

19 Oct Edward BAYNTON, Collector of His Majesty's Duty of Excise (Will)

1747

Richard THOROLD, Surveyor (Thorold)

24 May John MANBY, officer of excise at Cowes, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1748

Peter BANNISTER, Customs Officer (Probate)

1750

John WILKINSON, Comptroller (Brading)

William GODWIN, Tide Surveyor (Brading)

16 July Michael TRACEY, ?, being charged with being asleep on duty (Digest)

11 Nov Charles OLLIVER, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

11 Nov Thomas SEVERN, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1751

George NEWNHAM, Customs Pensioner (Brading)

James IMBER, Customs Pensioner (Brading)

1752

January Richard BANNISTER, Tidesman and boatman (Brading)

7 June Peter MANNERS, Tidesman and boatman, died (Brading)

22 June John BROWN, Tidesman and boatman, resigned (Brading)

22 June Joseph MOUCHER, Tidesman and boatman (Brading)

16 Sept Robert ARMAS, Officer, seizure reward (Digest)

16 Sept William GODWIN, Officer, seizure reward (Digest)

10 Dec John GREEN, Cowes, salt officer (Sac, IOW)

1753

11 Feb Herbert HUGHES, officer of excise of Yarmouth (Sac, IOW)

11 Feb Joseph CARKEET, officer of excise of Shorwell, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1 Mar Matthew BISHOP, boatman based at Lepe, died (Brading)

3 Apr Andrew MOUCHER, coalmeter and extra tidesman and boatman, died (Brading)

April Joseph MOUCHER, coalmeter and extra tidesman and boatman, recommended for appointment (Brading)

2 June William WARD, Secretary to HM Customs, East Cowes (National Archives)

June Edward CLARKE, boatman based at Lepe, appointed (Brading)

JULY - Some Officers employed at the Port:

John READ, John WILKINSON, William GODWIN, Tide Surveyor; Benjamin WINTER, Waiter and Searcher; James BLAKE, Riding Officer;

William PHIPPS, Riding Officer; Thomas PORTER, boatman at St. Helens; George WHITE, boatman (Brading)

12 Aug William ANDREWS, officer of H.M.'s Customs at Newport (Sac, IOW)

26 Aug Edward CLARKE, one of H.M.'s officers of the customs, Yarmouth (Sac, IOW)

26 Aug Edward DIX, one of H.M.'s officers of excise, Yarmouth (Sac, IOW)

5 Sept James WISE (Brading)

1754

27 April William CUSHEN, Tidesman and boatman (Brading)

27 April John JONES, Tidesman and boatman (Brading)

June Thomas COLE, H M Sloop, Speedwell, admitted as Officer (Brading)

13 Oct John PRING, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

29 Oct Richard ROGERS, Riding Officer, Obstruction (Digest)

29 Oct William GODDARD, Riding Officer, Obstruction (Digest)

1755

Sept Richard BANNISTER, Tidesman, replaced (Brading)

Sept John BADGER, Tidesman, appointed (Brading)

1756

Jan Edmund POTTS, Tidesman and boatman, replaced (Brading)

Jan Francis TERRELL, Tidesman and boatman, appointed (Brading)

8 Aug Francis TERRILL, custom house officer, Northwood (Sac, IOW)

1757

15 Jan Mr READ, of the Custom House, Cowes (National Archives)

June Richard COLEBROOK, Extra Tidesman, died (Brading)

June William ASHTON, Extra Tidesman, appointed (Brading)

1758

26 March Peter CHAKER, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

Some Officers employed at the Port:

John READ, Collector; John WILKINSON, Deputy Comptroller; Richard THOROLD, Surveyor; William GODWIN, Tide Surveyor; Benjamin WINTER, Waiter and Searcher; Thomas WISE, Landwaiter; William ANDREWS, Waiter and Searcher; John THOMPSON, Tidesman and boatman; John TAYLOR, Tidesman and boatman; Edward MEADMORE, Tidesman and boatman; Robert ARMES, Tidesman and boatman; Henry HATTON, Tidesman and boatman; William RIMMER, Tidesman and boatman; John BROWN, Tidesman and boatman; Francis TERRELL, Tidesman and boatman; Newport BRINEWOOD, Tidesman and boatman; George WHITE,Tidesman and boatman; John LEMON, Waiter and Searcher; Isaac BYERLEY, Boatman; Edward CLARK, Boatman; Thomas PORTER, Boatman; James BLAKE, Riding Officer and Supervisor; Peter BANNISTER, Riding Officer; Richard ROGERS, Riding Officer; William PHIPPS, Riding Officer. (Brading)

1759

11 March Hugh ROSE, salt officer, Northwood (Sac, IOW)

8 July John DAWE, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

8 July Thomas KELLY, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

11 Nov Thomas TIBBATTS, salt officer, Yarmouth (Sac, IOW)

1761

John DAWE, excise officer at Newport, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

William ARNOLD, excise collector at Newport, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

Thomas HARMAN, excise officer at Newport, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

Edward DIX, excise officer at Newport, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

Joseph ENOCK, excise officer at Newport, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

Thomas KELLY, excise officer at Newport, Isle of Wight (Sac, Hants)

14 June John LEMON, officer of customs, Newport (Sac, IOW)

13 Sep Thomas PORTER, officer of customs, Newport (Sac, IOW)

22 March Samuel MAY, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

22 March William HAILSTONE, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

22 March John MEAD, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

9 Aug Thomas LAWS, salt officer, Shalfleet (Sac, IOW)

9 Aug Thomas TIBBETTS, salt officer, Yarmouth (Sac, IOW)

13 Sep Thomas HILLS, salt officer (Sac, IOW)

1762

William GODARD, Customs Officer (Ryde) (Probate)

1764

Thomas GILL Deputy Searcher (Brading)

Lancelot FOQUETT, Landwaiter (Brading)

1765

Sept Richard ROGERS, Riding Officer (Brading)

Sept Samuel KING, Riding Officer (Brading)

12 Dec 1765 James PRESTON, Tides Surveyor of Excise of West Cowes (Will)

1766

Robert ARMES, Tidesman and Boatman, sent to assist at Newport (Brading)

2 June Francis ISHERWOOD, Officer St. Helens, discharged after an offence (Digest)

11 June Mr GODWIN, Tide Surveyor (Digest)

12 Oct Richard MANNING, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1767

Sep Francis ARTHUR, Sitter, East Cowes (Brading)

1768

Oct Elias RAYNER, Tidesman and Boatman (Brading)

Oct Crocombe SAUNDERS, Tidesman and Boatman (Brading)

Oct Samuel SERRELL, Customs Officer (Brading)

1769

Feb William GODWIN, resigned and was put on the Superannuation list (after being at Cowes for 38 years) (Brading)

Feb John MILLER, Tide Surveyor appointed in Godwin's place (Brading)

Feb Some Officers at the port:

John ANDREWS, Chief boatman; Samuel SERRELL, Coastwaiter; William PHIPPS, Riding Officer; Chris. BULLOCK, John MEWS & Nic DEVENISH, boatmen; William ANDREWS, Waiter and searcher, Peter BANNISTER & Samuel KING, Riding Officers (Brading)

12 Sep John ANDREWS, Sitter St Helens, request for larger boat (Digest)

29 Sep Thomas MEAD, Boatman, possible transfer to Chester (Digest)

8 Oct John MILLER, tide surveyor of the Customs, West Cowes (Sac, IOW)

Nov John WILKINSON, dead (Brading)

Nov James GILL, Deputy Comptroller (Brading)

Nov John Mingham GILL, Deputy Customer (Brading)

1770

John HILL, Coalmeter (Brading)

John POWIS, Coalmeter (Brading)

11 March George TOMLIN, excise boatman, Cowes (Sac, IOW)

11 March James HAWKSLEY, Newport, collector of excise (Sac, IOW)

14 Nov William MOUNCHER, Officer, violent release of arrested man (Digest)

14 Nov Thomas DUKE, Officer, violent release of arrested man (Digest)

1771

6 Sep James GILL, Collector, refund of duty (Digest)

3 Oct William PHIPPS, Riding Officer Newtown, drinking on duty (lived in pub!) (Digest)

27 Oct George WEBB, extra officer for excise on salt, Cowes (Sac, IOW)

27 Oct William JARROTT, extra officer for excise on salt, Cowes (Sac, IOW)

1772

Samuel KING, Riding Officer, Niton (Probate)

18 June William PHIPPS, Riding Officer Newtown, drinking on duty (improvement) (Digest)

1773

18 Feb ? SQUIRE, Riding Officer, request for pistols (Digest)

18 Feb ? JERAM, Riding Officer, request for pistols (Digest)

18 Feb John GRIMES, Deputy Comptroller?, submitted request for pistols (Digest)

28 Feb John PAIN, officer of customs, Whippingham (Sac, IOW)

11 April John JERMAN, officer of customs, Niton (Sac, IOW)

11 April Richard PLUMBLEY, officer of excise on salt, Yarmouth (Sac, IOW)

1774

3 April Joshua PITTMAN, excise boatman, port of Cowes (Sac, IOW)

3 April Jacob PENN, excise boatman, port of Cowes (Sac, IOW)

3 April Michael CURTIS, excise boatman, port of Cowes (Sac, IOW)

1775

Thomas MITCHELL, Boatman, West Cowes (Excise) (Will)

31 Dec Robert WOPSHOT, salt officer, Shalfleet (Sac, IOW)

1776

7 April James DIBBENS, salt officer, Freshwater (Sac, IOW)

14 April William MUNT, salt officer, Calbourne (Sac, IOW)

14 April Thomas BOWREMAN, salt officer, Freshwater (Sac, IOW)

1777

Christopher BULLOCK, Customs Officer, St Helens (Will)

James GILL, Comptroller (War)

18 May Richard JONES, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

30 Sep William ARNOLD, Collector (appointed) (War)

1778

9 Aug George JUDD, officer of excise on salt, Calbourne (Sac, IOW)

14 June John MUNT salt officer, Shalfleet (Sac, IOW)

11 Oct John BISHOP, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1780

5 Jan J PAIN, Surveyor, report on member of staff (Digest)

5 Jan William ARNOLD, Surveyor, report on member of staff (Digest)

5 Jan W ANDREWS, Land Waiter, report on member of staff (Digest)

5 Jan JOHN CHIVERTON, Coast Waiter, report on qualification (Digest)

11 June James HIDE, salt officer, Freshwater (Sac, IOW)

12 Aug Stephen SQUIRE, Officer, seizure of brandy and a horse (Digest)

12 Nov Francis TERRELL, officer of customs, Newport (Sac, IOW)

12 Nov William NICHOLS, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

12 Nov Joseph ROBERTS, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

12 Nov Charles POLLARD, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

12 Nov George BRINTON, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

31 Dec Thomas BOULT, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

31 Dec John GROSS, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

31 Dec Thomas DUGDALE, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1781

Thomas KELLY, Customs Officer, Newport (Will)

4 June Mr CHERRY, Officer at Cowes (National Archives, clearance of flour)

9 Dec Mr FRANCIS, collector of salt duties, Shalfleet (Death, Shalfleet Parish Records)

1782

31 March John CREN, salt officer, Yarmouth (Sac, IOW)

31 March John ABROOK, salt officer, Newtown (Sac, IOW)

1783

10 Mar Peter BANISTER, Riding Officer, possible transfer (Digest)

10 Mar John JERAM, Riding Officer, possible transfer (Digest)

25 June J RUSHWORTH, Deputy Comptroller, request for increased allowance (Digest)

1784

13 May John PAIN, Land Surveyor, intoxicated on duty – called Collector “A Damn’d saucy fellow” (Digest)

5 June Mr MILLER, ?, search for illegal boats at St Helens (Digest)

1785

17 Nov Mr RUSHWORTH, Deputy Comptroller, seizure of Kings cutter (Digest)

1787

27 May James DRAYTON, officer of salt duties at Thorness, Shalfleet (Sac, IOW)

1788

26 Feb Robert WILLIS, Boatman Yarmouth, service in Isle of Wight Militia (Digest)

14 Sep John MILLS, excise officer, Newport (Sac, IOW)

14 Sep William ADAMS, excise officer, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1789

Richard JONES, Customs Officer, Newport (Administration)

1790

23 Oct Mr FRANCIS, Tide Surveyor, request for telescope (Digest)

* For a comprehensive list of staff in 1790 Click Here

1791

27 Sep Thomas THOROLD, Second Clerk, recommendation for promotion. (Digest)

1792

15 June Mr CHAPMAN, Landing Surveyor, repair of house (Digest)

1793

Arthur Whitcomb WALLER, Customs Officer, West Cowes (Administration)

11 Aug John DEWEY, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1795

17 Feb J WARD, Deputy Comptroller, Custom House, Cowes (National Archives)

1796

John CHEVERTON, Customs Officer, West Cowes (Will)

1799

29 Sep George NORTHCOTE, officer of excise, Newchurch (Sac, IOW)

1801

3 March William ARNOLD, Collector, died. (Digest)

3 March Thos THOROLD, Chief Clerk, notified Board of Collectors death (Digest)

3 March John WARD, Deputy Comptroller, notified Board of Collectors death (Digest)

4 Oct John SMITH, officer of excise, Nettlestone (Sac, IOW)

17 Nov William GREGORY, Boatman, St Helens (Letters Book)

1803

10 July James SNUDDON, officer of customs, Newport (Sac, IOW)

10 July Henry WILLS, officer of excise, Newport (Sac, IOW)

1806

10 Jan William GREGORY, Boatman (Letters Book)

15 Jan James SNUDDEN, Coast Waiter, Newport (Letters Book)

1 Dec William SMITH, Collector (Letters Book)

1 Dec A C CHAPMAN, Comptroller (Letters Book)

1807

22 Feb Robert SCRIVEN, Boatman, died (Letters Book)

22 Feb Richard SMART, Boatman (Letters Book)

29 May William DAVIES, Tide Waiter and Boatman (Letters Book)

1 June William RENIER, Tidewaiter, died (Letters Book)

23 June Henry TWYMAN, Tide Waiter and Boatman (Letters Book)

29 June ? LANE, Officer (Letters Book)

29 June ? MILLER, Officer (Letters Book)

11 June Thomas JOLLIFFE, Boatman, St Hellens (Letters Book)

6 Aug Richard CHIVERTON (Letters Book)

18 Sept Robert MILLER, Coal Meter (Letters Book)

23 Sept Robert WILLIS, Boatman, Yarmouth (Letters Book)

19 Oct Charles LEIGH, Boatman, Yarmouth (Letters Book)

20 Oct John FOWELL, Tide Waiter (Letters Book)

8 Nov James POWELL, Collector (Letters Book)

1817

2 Mar John TREW, Excise Officer, Shalfleet, baptism of daughter (PR)

28 Mar William ARNOLD, Officer Yarmouth (Will)

7 Sep John BAKER, Excise Officer, Newtown, baptism of daughter (PR)

1820

1 Oct ? BOLD, officer of excise, Carisbrooke (Sac, IOW)

1 Oct William FRY, officer of excise, Carisbrooke (Sac, IOW)

1821

Robert CORKE, Glut Tidewaiter, Cowes (Charge)

May R STEPHENS, Tide Surveyor (Charge)

May John FOWELL, Commissioned Boatman (Charge)

23 July John RALPH, Tidewaiter (Charge)

5 Sep Benjamin BROWN, Sworn Coal Meter (Charge)

5 Sep J M WARD, Collector (Charge)

5 Sep J CHAPMAN, Comptroller (Charge)

1823

29 Mar George WOODROW, Tidewaiter (Charge)

20 Aug John WARD, Collector, 59 (Party to lease granted to Leigh Thomas)

1827

12 July John URRY, Coal Meter (Charge)

27 Aug William MEADES, Tidewaiter (Charge)

1829

2 Dec William MOUCHER, Boatman (Charge)

2 Dec William PAIN, Boatman (Charge)

1831

21 July R. EASTWICK, Comptroller

1833

26 May David CHAPMAN, Tide Surveyor (Papers concerning the Watch House)

No date - HALL, Collector (Papers concerning move of Custom House to West Cowes)

1836

Joseph MAY, Customs Officer, Newport (Administration)

1839

Alexander FOOT, Collector (Vectis Digest 1839)

- CHAPMAN, Tide Surveyor (Vectis Digest 1839)

1846

Joseph REDFERN, Customs Officer, Ryde (Will)

1848

William DAWSON, Comptroller (Will, appears to have retired somewhat earlier)

Sources

1) Sacrament Certificates. These certificates result from non-Anglicans being prevented from holding public office by the Test (or Popish Recusants Act of 1672, which provided that all office-holders should take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, declare against transubstantiation, and receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (duly certified by Minister and Churchwarden) according to the usage of the Church of England. These were registered with the local Quarter Sessions and are denoted (Sac, Hants or Sac, IOW). Where available Minister (M) and Churchwarden (S) are included. These Certificates are held at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Records Offices. I have used indexes and have not fully examined the actual records.

2) Digest of Cowes Customs records 1749 - 1805. This was prepared by an unknown Officer at Cowes prior to records being sent to the National Archives, these are denoted (Digest)

3) Charge Book. This book, held until recently at the Cowes Customs Office, contains disciplinary cases bought against Officers. (Charge)

4) Parish Records (PR) At the moment only from my Shalfleet Research

5) At war with the smugglers - the career of William Arnold, Collector Cowes. A book by D. Arnold-Forster (War)

6) Memories of Early Cowes written by Thorold, Surveyor of Customs around 1750 (Thorold)

7) Letters Books held at the National Archives and transcribed by myself (Letters Book)

8) Letters Books transcribed by Rosetta Brading for her books on the history of Cowes (Brading)

Other records as specified.

Customs Cowes

Note: These pages are my transcriptions of original documents, they are accurate to the best of my ability but I do not take any responsibility for errors.

27 May 2006