Carters of Prussia Cove

The Carters of Prussia Cove were a family of Cornish smugglers active in the late 18th century operating out of Prussia Cove, Cornwall, where they had a hideout/home in a remote cliff next to the ocean.

John Carter (born 1738, mysteriously disappeared, presumed dead, 1807[1]) was nicknamed the "King of Prussia" in reference to his smuggling operations with some of his brothers, Harry Carter (1749-1809) and Charles Carter (?).[2] John 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, John Carter was a devout Methodist and was noted for his honest dealing as a smuggler.[5]

Much of what is known about John and the Carters came from Harry's autobiography, The Autobiography of a Cornish Smuggler, and folklore passed down through the generations.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 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.

External links


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