John Carter (smuggler)

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John Carter (born 1770, mysteriously disappeared, presumed dead, 1807[1]) was a notorious English smuggler, nicknamed the "King of Prussia" in reference to his smuggling operations out of Prussia Cove, Cornwall with his brothers, Harry and Charles.[2] He obtained the nickname because he was said to closely resemble Frederick the Great, the King of Prussia,[3] and was said to much admire him, and gave his name to the cove, located east of Penzance.[1] The BBC said of the brothers, "The Carters of Prussia Cove are among the most famous of all the Cornish smugglers."[4]

By all accounts, despite his profession, Carter was a devout Methodist and was noted for his honest dealing as a smuggler.[5] Much of what we know about John came from his brother Harry's autobiography and folklore passed down through the generations.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Viccars, Sue (15 March 2011). Frommer's Devon and Cornwall With Your Family. Frommer's. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-470-74947-0. Retrieved 17 September 2011. 
  2. ↑ "The Carters of Prussia Cove". Smuggling.co.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2011. 
  3. ↑ Naylor, Robert & John (April 2007). From John O' Groats to Land's End. Echo Library. p. 493. ISBN 978-1-4068-3495-6. Retrieved 17 September 2011. 
  4. ↑ "The smuggling Carters of Cornwall". BBC. Retrieved 17 September 2011. 
  5. ↑ Smelt, Maurice (11 September 2006). 101 Cornish Lives. Alison Hodge Publishers. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-906720-50-9. Retrieved 17 September 2011. 
  6. ↑ Cornish, John B. (June 2008). The Autobiography of a Cornish Smuggler (Captain Harry Carter, of Frussia Cove) 1749 - 1809. Read Books. ISBN 978-1-4097-8474-6. Retrieved 17 September 2011. 


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