I have contacted a hop pickers token collector that I know and has sent
me this e-mail, it may be of use?
Google search on Benenden Prosecuting = zilch but prosecuting society
gave Archaeologia Cantiana references to such societies at Leeds and
Hunton, other references gave Goudhurst, Hailsham, Ewhurst and Bodiam,
Petworth
outside Kent and Sussex (note Leeds is in Kent)
Huddersfield, Gloucester,Beare Green = Surrey) and Arundel
and via a torturous route A history of the County of Sussex, Vol 6 Part
1
So lots of references to Kent and Sussex and solidly in a Hop growing
area at that.
£10 and 1819 makes it a hefty incentive and at that time a lot of the
wealth of Kent and Sussex was based on Hops, it probably wouldn't take
long to wipe out a garden and hence the owner.
Have never heard of either the society or the offence but thanks,
appreciate it, pass this back to Ernie Pollard.
Found nothing in the Directories (but the ones I have are pre
searchable)
Thanks
Duncan
----- Original Message ----- From: "Stuart Adams" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "DUNCAN PENNOCK" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 10:09 AM
Subject: Fwd: Prosecuting Society
regards
Stuart
On 26 Jul 2005, at 10:03, erniepoll wrote:
> A notice of 1819 offers a reward of £10 for the capture of a man for
> cutting hop bines. This was in 1819 in Benenden in Kent, a time of
> rural discontent. The reward is offered by the "Benenden Prosecuting
> Society". I have seen no other reference to this society. I would be
> interested to know if such societies were widespread and whether
> there are accounts of their activities. I assume that the members were
> local farmers and landowners. Enie PollardNo virus found in this
> outgoing message.
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> 22/07/2005
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