EXTRACTS FROM THE WEST BRITON
31 January 1817
Breage & Germoe Wreckers
On Saturday last, during a thick fog, and the wind at south, an account was received at Penzance and Marazion that a large brig was anchored in a most perilous situation, within half a mile of the shore, near Porthleven. The shore was covered by hundreds of barbarians belonging to Breage and Germoe, eagerly watching for an opportunity to plunder.
28 March 1817
The Brig Mary Plundered
On
Thursday morning last, about 4 o'clock, during the fall of snow, and in a strong
gale from the north, the Brig Mary of Ilfracombe, Captain James Bowden,
laden with culm, was driven on shore at Fassel Geaver cove in the parish of Camborne,
a little to the east of St Ives. On the second evening a party of Camborne miners
came down, determined for a wreck, they cut the ship's cable, carried off two
of her anchors, stole all the beef and buscuit on board, and even had the hardihood,
before it became dark, to steal some of the seamen's clothes at Gwithian church-town,
which having been washed by the people of the village for the poor fellows, had
been hung up to dry.
22 May 1818
Emigrants to America
On Wednesday morning, sailed from the port of Charlestown, the Charlestown, Williams, master, with about 50 persons on board, as passengers for America; amongst whom are some whole families, including infants at the breast. In the number of those who have thus bid adieu to the land of their nativity, in pursuit of better fortune on a distant shore, is a woman 70 years of age, whose husband emigrated seven months since.
2 July 1824
Prize for Large Family
The first meeting of the Penwith Agricultural Society took place at Camborne on Monday last, and was very respectably attended. The ploughing and sheep-shearing were in the very best style, and the shew of cattle reflected great credit on the farmers of that confined district. The following prizes were adjudged...To William Retallack, Illogan, as a labouring man who has maintained the largest number of children (19) without parochial relief, £2 2S; and to John West, Camborne, as maintaining the 2nd largest (15), £1 1S
