The once proud Customs Service is now nothing more that a shell of what it previously was, there are now no staff employed on the Island. The Watch House, a Customs office since the early 18th Century, has been sold to the RNLI. I have worked on and off for 25 years as a Customs Officer at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Whilst I was a Cowes I had the opportunity to extract details from some of the historic records which were held at the Cowes office, fortunately some of these have now been returned to the Island and are held by the Isle of Wight Records Office, and it is hoped that others will be transferred to the National Archives. I am now also transcribing extracts from records (mainly Letters Books) held at the National Archives and Isle of Wight Records Office, but this will be a long job. I am also attempting to compile a list of officers who have served on the Isle of Wight, which also includes Excise Officers, although most of these records do not appear to have survived, and Coast Guard Officers until about 1830. I have recently added a list of Prosecutions from 1751 to 1860.
Search the contents of this site: Custom Search
This is at present a trial search which it is hoped will be of assistance. Updates do not appear to be included for some time after download. If you don't find what you're looking for, please continue browsing the site for it.
A short history of Cowes Customs. The history of Cowes Customs until 1750
Cowes in the News Newspaper Extracts about Customs at Cowes, also includes some Excise and Coastguard.
From Cowes Record Books - This includes transcriptions of extracts from Collector to Board Letters Books, now held in the National Archives, which give insights into the way Cowes Customs operated. Letters Books, Collector to Board Customs Prosecution 1751 - 1839
Customs Staff An Alphabetical List of Officers who have served on the Isle of Wight Preventive Waterguard/Coast Guard 1816 - 1832 - transcription from the records at the National Archives Customs Staff 1821 - 1830 - transcription from the Oaths of Admission book held at the National Archives. Cowes staff 1839 - 1922 - transcription from the Ages and conditions book held at the National Archives. Serving from 1885 to 1898 - extracts from record books Serving between 1892 and 1912 - extracts from record books
Other Information The wreck of the Varvassi off the Needles, 1947 including Customs reports. A Note of sort of people suitable for positions in Cowes Customs service. - 1811 Customs Gallery - a limited range of pictures of Customs Officers and property on the Island. Do you want to be a Tidewaiter? Take the examination to become a Tidewaiter from the Guide to the Civil Service Examinations, 1856 Salt Survey 1749 - of the English salt officers, Wight Isle collection, by the Excise Surveyor General, 1749 Tales of Island Smugglers - From the Isle of Wight County Press 1927 New
Customs Cowes Papers - An occasional series of papers about more specific areas of work / Customs Officers Robert Willis, Boatman Yarmouth 1785 - 1823 Richard Chiverton Coastwaiter Ryde 1804 - 1816 From the Charge Book
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. This page predominantly contains Customs records, but have included Excise records where available. Unfortunately these do not appear to have been preserved in the same way as Customs records.
1 April 2018 |