Poor Tom Bowling. (His soul is gone aloft.)
Researching the lives of 18th and 19th century seamen around the Thames Estuary, Sheerness and North Kent shorelines can be …
Author Archives: Philip Atherton
Chasing the elusive Dr Isaac Rutton of Ashford
“Near the Market Place is a large house which was the residence of Dr. Isaac Rutton, a physician of long …
Naughty Mr Rothschild. Was he caught in the act?
It was often a fine line that financiers and bankers trod in their dealings. The Rothschilds appear to have walked …
Trading in dark pools. The strange life of a Georgian bullion banker.
The mysterious sounding term ‘dark pools trading‘ is not a new idea. Certainly, a version of it was around in Nathan …
Smuggling guidelines for Ladies 4: Trusting your husband.
A story from the Kentish Gazette of the early 1800s serves to remind us that we need to be very …
The price of war in Georgian England
The punitive tax regime that encouraged smuggling at every level of society needs to be seen in context to the …
To wearers and sellers of East India Silk handkerchiefs: Don’t catch a cold.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Britain’s trade expanded dramatically. All sorts of goods were being shipped in and out …
A joyful New Year from Seasalter
Peace
May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of …
Cruising with the wily Mr Baldock.
In 1776 William Baldock of Petham starts to take a special interest in local shipping around the Kent coast and …
Blue Anchor Corner 