Hannibal Richards

Hannibal Richards moved to north Devon from Morwenstow, in Cornwall, in 1789, where he had been a member of the notorius gang of smugglers called the Cruel Coppinger's gang. He lived on a farm called The Gwythers, in Lee, a small village situated in a valley which meets the sea in a secluded, rocky cove. There he married Jane Gammon, who was born in the village. He returned to his infamous old ways, and, despite being well known to the authorities, and following a number of close shaves, he managed to evade conviction. He eventually retired after a raid which resulted in the capture of the other members of his gang. The inscription on his headstone reads:

IN MEMORY

of HANIBAL RICHARDS

who departed this life July

23 1849 aged 85 years

ALSO

JANE RICHARDS

The Wife of the Above Who died

June The.13.1875

Aged 101 Years

ALSO OF JANE BRAY

Daughter of the above

HANIBAL RICHARDS.

who died January 25 1897,

Aged 100 Years & 6 Months