The Poacher - Charles Smith

Location: St John's Church, Flexford Road, North Baddesley. MR: SU402208

Just inside the churchyard gate are two tombstones for the same man. Charles Smith was the eldest of three sons of John and Elizabeth Smith, a long established squatter-cottager on Baddesley Common and supposedly a "notorious poacher". Charles was baptised in Romsey Abbey 31 May 1792.

IN MEMORY OF CHARLES SMITH WHO SUFFERED AT WINCHESTER ON THE 23RD MARCH 1822 FOR RESISTING BY FIRE-ARMS HIS APPREHENSION BY THE GAMEKEEPER OF LORD VISCOUNT PALMERSTON WHEN FOUND IN HOUGH COPPICE LOOKING AFTER WHAT IS CALLED GAME AGED 30 YEARS If though seest the oppression of the poor and violent perverting of judgement and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. ECCL SC BN

CHARLES SMITH WAS CONVICTED AT WINCHESTER ASSIZES OF ATTEMPTING TO MURDER A WATCHER NAMED ROBERT SNELLGROVE APPROACHED SMITH TO IDENTIFY HIM. SNELLGROVE, QUITE A YOUTH WAS ALONE AND UNARMED. SMITH WITH A COMPANION AND ARMED FIRED AT CLOSE QUARTERS THE WHOLE CONTENTS OF HIS GUNS INTO SNELLGROVE'S BODY In 1822 "Attempt to Murder" was a capital crime. Copies of the original papers connected with the case are deposited in the church chest. EA

On 22 November 1820, in the company of John Pointer, his brother-in-law, Charles Smith went poaching in Hough Coppice. On being discovered by Robert Snellgrove, a "watcher" or gamekeeper's assistant, Smith fired his gun at Snellgrove and whilst injuring him, did not kill him. Smith then went on the run but was apprehended some two years later, tried and condemned to death. He was hung at Winchester and although it was normal to be buries in the prison precincts, his body brought back to North Baddesley by friends that morning. He was buried in the churchyard 23 March 1822, aged 29 years. (The stone states 30 years, the parish register 29 years.)

The first stone is supposed to have been erected by William Cobbett (1763-1835), writer and champion of the poor. He uses the terminology "what is called game" in his own writings. The second stone was erected by the Honorable Evelyn Ashley, grandson of Lord Palmeston in 1907, to give perhaps a balanced view of the whole affair.

Details of the "papers" referred to on the second stone can be seen here.

© Sandra J Smith MBE 2003