Powell’s 1782 Survey of Folkestone

We are fortunate that a detailed survey, known as the Lieutenancy Papers, which still survives, was made of the town between 1786 and 1803. We do not know if anyone of government rank was sent to the town to advise and assist with the survey, however it is likely that this did happen. It is known that on 1^st July 1786 a letter was sent to the Mayor of Folkestone from J. B. Lane Deputy Lieutenant of Dover Castle concerning independent militia. For the purpose of the survey the town was divided into three districts, Mr Harvey’s district, with a population of 1020, Mr Baker’s district, with a population of 997, and the Overseer’s district, with a population of 1174. Thus we have a population total of 3191. An enrolment of the town was made which helped to ascertain how many of the population would be fit enough to defend the town with whatever weapons may be available in the event of an invasion. The enrolment book details street by street the name of the head of the household, their marital status and number of children and if infirm and it is thus a great tool for local and family historians. One of the main aims of the survey was to identify the number of males between the ages of 15 and 60. Given that we are given a population of 3191, there must have been many women and children for it is revealed in a separate report that there were only 718 males between the stated ages and of these 202 were infirm. It was also important to those preparing for the defence of the town to know if there were any Quakers, probably because of their pacifist views – it is recorded that there were 23 Quakers. Interestingly, the report states that there was also one alien! On 3^rd October 1803 a John Hunt swore a list containing the names of 9 people who had been balloted as Army reserve. There is one aspect of the survey, which did not mean anything to those Napoleonic enthusiasts I spoke to during the festival. We are told in the survey that 50 persons in Mr Harvey’s district, 63 in Mr Baker’s district and 101 in the Overseer’s district making a total of 214 were “serving in Waterloo Corp”. Are these 214 in addition to the 718 males referred to earlier? To date I do not know what “Waterloo Corp” refers to. We will endeavour to discover the facts.

A rather blunt statement contained in another report remarked that some twelve people had been appointed as guides – being mounted and “chosen from amongst the most intelligent Residents in the parish”. In addition the survey records that there were 25 riding horses and 65 draught horses.

Also of concern to the defenders was the supply of food during an emergency and as bread would be an important staple we know from the survey that there were 14 bakers in the town and two millers. Of the millers, Mr J Pilcher could produce 5 sacks of flour at short notice and Mr Wm. Stace who had a watermill and a windmill was capable of providing 8 sacks.

Everybody was not entirely happy with the situation however. In May 1796 the Innholders of the Town of Folkestone petitioned the Rt Hon Wm Windham, Esq – Secretary of State for War. Their complaints concerned the billeting of soldiers on them, complaining that nearby Hythe was free from such billeting. They requested that the soldiers be sent to the Barracks “which are built for them”. As any reply does not exist amongst the papers we do not know if their grievance was addressed.

Another part of the papers deals with boats and we find that there were a total of 62 vessels available. It is not clear whether the figure included volunteer vessels, a list of which, the Mayor, John Castle compiled on 30^th July 1803. The largest of these was the Betsy 62 tons belonging to Thomas Spearpoint. Of the twenty seven named in the list seven were vessels known as Cutters and the others were Luggers. The survey was so detailed that it even concerned itself with whether the vessels were decked or not. The boat list contains names that will be familiar to many Folkestonians.

The Lieutenancy Papers along with John Powell’s Survey of 1782 in addition to giving us a picture of the town at the time, also provides local and family historians with two very important tools. A computer printout of the index and copies of Powell’s maps are available at the Heritage Room at Grace Hill. For the Lieutenancy Papers you will need to make a journey to the Kent County Council East Kent Archive Centre at Whitfield, near Dover. Check opening times, as this facility is not open every day.