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WILLIAM
HOTCHING
born c1817, died c1907 |
1854 -
c1865 |
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William Hotching had in his early years operated an illicit still,
probably producing brandy. He was also involved with cock fights.
He became an accomplished smuggler of tobacco.
Obtaining his qualifications from Cromer based smugglers, he gained
contacts at continental harbours including Rotterdam and Flushing. He soon
raised sufficient funds to buy a fast clipper of 50 tons, the Harlequin.
The contraband was apparently distributed throughout the area by being
loaded onto a trap, pulled by a fast trotting mare. The tobacco was hidden
under herring.
In about 1865 his career came to an end as he was apprehended at Boston
whilst conducting illicit trade with a man named Smythe.
Brancaster butcher and grocer William Lane was also arrested in connection
with this offence.
Hotching and Lane were both fined £840 with the option of serving 6
months in prison. They opted for the latter, but discovered when they were
released, that all their assets, including the Harlequin, had been sold.
The Wide World magazine of 1905 described Hotching as
` a giant of a man, standing over 6 feet in height and having the
appearance of a Viking. His head is perfectly bald at the top, a fringe of
snow-white hair still remaining round the base of his skull. He has small,
shrewd, light-blue eyes, a large protruding nose and a particularly small
wizened mouth. His face is lined and seamed with countless wrinkles and
embrowned to the hue and texture of leather.'
The HAT & FEATHERS still survives today as a private dwelling.
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