A note on the Parish and church of St Alphege, Seasalter
The parish and church of St Alphege Seasalter has a long and complex history. The first church at Seasalter was …
Previous articles
Reports on the life of the Kent coast Riding Officers.
The Riding Officer was a common if unpopular occupation during the 18th century. The principal duties were to patrol the …
Baldock’s smuggling legacy. Part 4: Intriguing possibilities
Following the recent post about ‘What lies in dark cellars’, Steve Baldock made contact with some fascinating possibilities concerning: Background on …
Baldock’s smuggling legacy Part 3: What lies in dark cellars?
Small, almost insignificant details of a Last Will and Testament can often lead to hidden parts of a person’s life …
The Canterbury Catch Club of 1779. A place for glees, catches and madrigals.
Reconstructing the network of people and places that made up William Baldock’s smuggling enterprise uncovers some curious situations and characters. …
Mr J. Gill: A most determined and bold Riding Officer
Some riding officers gained prominent reputations for their enthusiastic pursuit of smugglers but as we have seen elsewhere, free traders …
December 1825: Madame Kean and Mr Kean astonish Canterbury in the large room at the Seven Stars.
According to every branch of the Royal Family, Madame Kean is deemed to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. …
Baldock’s smuggling legacy Part 2: Rewarding the faithful
The overriding purpose behind William Baldock’s Will of 1812 is to reward loyalty and make sure that as much of his …
Baldock’s smuggling legacy Part 1: Rewarding family loyalty
The considerable wealth that William Baldock builds up during his lifetime involved some complex trust management at the time of …
The Faversham Hoy: Everything a smuggling vessel should be.
They were fast, elegant, reliable and a familiar sight around the North Kent coast, the Medway and Thames Estuary. The …
Blue Anchor Corner 