Newspaper cuttings from 1808
Exeter Flying Post 7 January 1808
"STOLEN or STRAYED, on the 20th November last, out of a stable, near Tor-royal lodge, Dartmoor, a white NAG PONEY, about 13 hands high, hog mane, cut tail, strong made, aged. Whoever will bring it at the Plume of Feathers Inn, near the prison of war, Dartmoor ; or at the White Hart Inn, Moretonhampstead, shall be handsomely rewarded for their trouble ; but in whoever's custody it shall be found after this public notice, they will be prosecuted according to law."
EXETER, 6th January, 1808
"STOLEN or STRAYED, on the 20th November last, out of a stable, near Tor-royal lodge, Dartmoor, a white NAG PONEY, about 13 hands high, hog mane, cut tail, strong made, aged. Whoever will bring it at the Plume of Feathers Inn, near the prison of war, Dartmoor ; or at the White Hart Inn, Moretonhampstead, shall be handsomely rewarded for their trouble ; but in whoever's custody it shall be found after this public notice, they will be prosecuted according to law."
EXETER, 6th January, 1808
An interestingly worded advertisement. It makes you wonder if someone suspected where the missing horse was and was trying to flush it out from being hidden.
Morning Post 18 April 1808
TRANSPORT OFFICE. 12th April, 1808. - The commissioners for conducting His Majesty's Transportation service ?? Sick and Wounded Seamen and for ?? custody Prisoners of War, do hereby give Notice that they will be ready at this Office, on TUESDAY, the 17th of May next, to receive sealed Tenders, and treat with such ?? Persons as may be willing to contract for VICTUALLING PRISONERS OF WAR, in HEALTH, at the following places, viz.
DARTMOOR, in Devonshire;
STAPLETON, near Bristol; and at
CHATHAM
And also for Victualling Sick Prisoners of War at Dartmoor, for six months certain, from the 1st day of July next, and further until Three Months shall be given by either side.
…
Further particulars may be known by applying at this Office ; or to the Agents for Prisoners of War at Plymouth, Stapleton and Chatham.
TRANSPORT OFFICE. 12th April, 1808. - The commissioners for conducting His Majesty's Transportation service ?? Sick and Wounded Seamen and for ?? custody Prisoners of War, do hereby give Notice that they will be ready at this Office, on TUESDAY, the 17th of May next, to receive sealed Tenders, and treat with such ?? Persons as may be willing to contract for VICTUALLING PRISONERS OF WAR, in HEALTH, at the following places, viz.
DARTMOOR, in Devonshire;
STAPLETON, near Bristol; and at
CHATHAM
And also for Victualling Sick Prisoners of War at Dartmoor, for six months certain, from the 1st day of July next, and further until Three Months shall be given by either side.
…
Further particulars may be known by applying at this Office ; or to the Agents for Prisoners of War at Plymouth, Stapleton and Chatham.
It is notable that Dartmoor was the site chosen for housing sick prisoners and that it was expected that they should receive a different diet to the healthy prisoners.
Leeds Intelligencer 25 April 1808
"The First West York Militia, 1500 strong, now go to Dartmoor Barracks.
Lord Fitzwilliam's battalion of the West York Militia, 1500 strong, go to Dartmoor Barracks.
The Canarvon Militia have marched into Exeter, and the First West York to Plymouth."
"The First West York Militia, 1500 strong, now go to Dartmoor Barracks.
Lord Fitzwilliam's battalion of the West York Militia, 1500 strong, go to Dartmoor Barracks.
The Canarvon Militia have marched into Exeter, and the First West York to Plymouth."
Somehow I still find it amusing that newspapers used to call themselves names like The Leeds Intelligencer. From the brief research I have done on-line, there seem to be no existing records kept by the 1st West York Militia of their time at Dartmoor. Perhaps they will turn up at some point in the future.
York Herald 7 May 1808
The First West York Militia are in expectation of remaining at Plymouth Dock, until July, and then to be sent off to Dartmoor, about 18 miles from Plymouth, where extensive Barracks are building for the reception of French Prisoners. The Barracks at Dartmoor are of an improved construction, but at a distance of six miles from either a town or village.
The First West York Militia are in expectation of remaining at Plymouth Dock, until July, and then to be sent off to Dartmoor, about 18 miles from Plymouth, where extensive Barracks are building for the reception of French Prisoners. The Barracks at Dartmoor are of an improved construction, but at a distance of six miles from either a town or village.
Morning Post 7 September 1808
SHIP NEWS
"PLYMOUTH, SEPT. 4. - The Commissioners of the Transport Board have appointed Capt. Rogers, of the Royal Navy, of this town, to be Superintendant of Prisoners of War at this port, vice Captain Cotgrave, promoted to the command of the prisoners at Dartmoor."
SHIP NEWS
"PLYMOUTH, SEPT. 4. - The Commissioners of the Transport Board have appointed Capt. Rogers, of the Royal Navy, of this town, to be Superintendant of Prisoners of War at this port, vice Captain Cotgrave, promoted to the command of the prisoners at Dartmoor."
Exeter Flying Post 15 September 1808
PRINCE'S PLUME INN, DARTMOOR
ROBERT LANE, having lately established the above INN, opposite the New Prison on the forest of Dartmoor, begs leave to assure his friends and the public that he will use his utmost endeavours to merit their countenance and support.
PRINCE'S PLUME INN, DARTMOOR
ROBERT LANE, having lately established the above INN, opposite the New Prison on the forest of Dartmoor, begs leave to assure his friends and the public that he will use his utmost endeavours to merit their countenance and support.
This was a new name to me for what I presume to have been the Rundlestone Inn, unless there was yet another inn in Princetown whose existence has heretofore been unknown.
Morning Post September 27 1808
"TRANSPORT-OFFICE, Sept 27, 1808 – The Commissioners for conducting His Majesty's Transport Service for taking care of Sick and Wounded Seamen, and for the Care and Custody of Prisoners of War, do hereby give Notice that they will be ready at this Office, on Tuesday, the ?? day of October, 1808, to receive SEALED TENDERS from such Persons as may be willing to contract for ?? Prisoners of War in Health at Norman Cross, Stapleton, Portsmouth, and Dartmoor, and for Victualing Prisoners of War in Sickness at Dartmoor. No Tender will be received after ?? o'clock on the day of Treaty, nor any noticed unless the ?? or an Agent for him, personally attend. Each Tender ?? accompanied by a letter from two respectable Persons ?? with the Person tendering, in the ?? for the performance of the Contract. Further particulars may be known by applying at the Office of the said ?? Dorset-square, Westminster ; and at the Agents at ??"
"TRANSPORT-OFFICE, Sept 27, 1808 – The Commissioners for conducting His Majesty's Transport Service for taking care of Sick and Wounded Seamen, and for the Care and Custody of Prisoners of War, do hereby give Notice that they will be ready at this Office, on Tuesday, the ?? day of October, 1808, to receive SEALED TENDERS from such Persons as may be willing to contract for ?? Prisoners of War in Health at Norman Cross, Stapleton, Portsmouth, and Dartmoor, and for Victualing Prisoners of War in Sickness at Dartmoor. No Tender will be received after ?? o'clock on the day of Treaty, nor any noticed unless the ?? or an Agent for him, personally attend. Each Tender ?? accompanied by a letter from two respectable Persons ?? with the Person tendering, in the ?? for the performance of the Contract. Further particulars may be known by applying at the Office of the said ?? Dorset-square, Westminster ; and at the Agents at ??"
Exeter Flying Post 29 September 1808
"Duchy of Cornwall Office, Somerset-place, September 10, 1808.
It having been represented to the Lord Warden of the Stannaries that the establishment of a MARKET contiguous to the prison of war on the Forest of Dartmoor would be attended with great convenience to the garrison and neighbourhood, it is hereby made known to those concerned, that every encouragement to those who attend on Thursdays, and that a proper spot, with suitable accommodations is now preparing.
By order of the Lord Warden of Stannaries,
FREDERICK LINDERMAN, Secretary. "
"Duchy of Cornwall Office, Somerset-place, September 10, 1808.
It having been represented to the Lord Warden of the Stannaries that the establishment of a MARKET contiguous to the prison of war on the Forest of Dartmoor would be attended with great convenience to the garrison and neighbourhood, it is hereby made known to those concerned, that every encouragement to those who attend on Thursdays, and that a proper spot, with suitable accommodations is now preparing.
By order of the Lord Warden of Stannaries,
FREDERICK LINDERMAN, Secretary. "
So, by the end of 1808 Princetown had two pubs and a market on Thursdays. Things were looking up for the former wasteland!
Morning Post 14 December 1808
"COMMISSARY GENERAL'S OFFICE, Dec. 10 1808. - Such Persons as may be desirous of contracting with the Commissary General to supply the new Barrack at Dartmoor in the County of Devon, with COALS and CANDLES, from the 15th January to the 24th June, 1809, may receive particulars of the Contracts at this Office between the hours of two and four, and deliver their tenders, sealed up and directed to the Commissary General, marking thereon “Tender for Barrack Supplies” on or before Tuesday the 27th inst, but none will be ?? after eleven o'clock on that day, nor will any proposal ?? unless made on or annexed to a primed particular and the prices inserted in words at length, nor unless a letter is ?? to such proposal from two respectable persons, ?? bound with the party tendering in the sum ?? in the particulars for the due performance of the Contract."
"COMMISSARY GENERAL'S OFFICE, Dec. 10 1808. - Such Persons as may be desirous of contracting with the Commissary General to supply the new Barrack at Dartmoor in the County of Devon, with COALS and CANDLES, from the 15th January to the 24th June, 1809, may receive particulars of the Contracts at this Office between the hours of two and four, and deliver their tenders, sealed up and directed to the Commissary General, marking thereon “Tender for Barrack Supplies” on or before Tuesday the 27th inst, but none will be ?? after eleven o'clock on that day, nor will any proposal ?? unless made on or annexed to a primed particular and the prices inserted in words at length, nor unless a letter is ?? to such proposal from two respectable persons, ?? bound with the party tendering in the sum ?? in the particulars for the due performance of the Contract."