Draft:Joss Snelling

Joss Snelling
Born	1741 (1741)
Died	1837 (aged 95–96)

Joss Snelling (1741-1837) was a British smuggler who operated during a period in British history when smuggling was a widespread and often profitable enterprise, particularly in coastal areas.

Life

Little is known about his early life, but by the mid-18th century, Snelling had become a prominent figure in the smuggling community in Kent, England.

Snelling was a key leader of the Callis Court Gang, a well-known smuggling group that operated primarily along the Kent coast. The gang was involved in the illegal trade of goods such as tea, tobacco, brandy, and other items that were heavily taxed or restricted by the British government.

Throughout his smuggling career, Snelling was known for his cunning and ability to evade capture. Despite his involvement in numerous illegal activities, he managed to avoid the severe punishments that many of his contemporaries faced. In 1830, at the age of 89, Snelling was fined £100 for smuggling, a significant sum at the time, but he continued to operate relatively unscathed.

In 1837, at the age of 96, Snelling was introduced to Queen Victoria, who had recently ascended to the throne and was reportedly on a visit to the Isle of Wight and surrounding areas. The encounter is often described as a moment of recognition by the Queen of Snelling's notorious reputation as a smuggler. Despite his criminal activities, Snelling was somewhat of a local legend, and it is said that Queen Victoria was amused by meeting the elderly man who had outwitted the authorities for so long. The story goes that she even jokingly inquired about his smuggling activities, to which Snelling responded with good humor.

Joss Snelling died later that year, at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most notorious smugglers of his era. His life and exploits have become part of the folklore surrounding the smuggling trade in Kent, reflecting the broader social and economic conditions of 18th and early 19th-century England.

The Battle of Botany Bay

One of the most notable events in Snelling's smuggling career occurred in the spring of 1769, an event that would later be known as the Battle of Botany Bay. During this incident, Snelling and his gang were unloading a cargo of smuggled goods at Botany Bay when they were surprised by a preventive patrol.

Five members of the gang attempted to flee the scene, either by climbing Kemp's stairs or scrambling up the chalk cliffs. However, their escape was interrupted by a riding officer at the top of the cliff. In the ensuing confrontation, the officer was shot and fatally wounded. He was taken to the nearby Captain Digby Inn, where he later died.

The authorities responded by launching an extensive search of the area, focusing on the nearby village of Reading Street. During the search, they discovered two dead smugglers and one who was mortally wounded in Rosemary Cottage. The skirmish resulted in the deaths of 15 members of Snelling's gang. Nine died from their wounds, and six others were captured and later hanged at Gallows Field in Sandwich.

Joss Bay, named after Joss Snelling in Kent, UK