SMUGGLING.
At the bottom of Meadow Lane which runs from
Tregellast port to Rosenithon, where it joins the
St. Keverne, Rosenithon road, on the right hand
side there are traces in the hedge of walling. The
corner is known as Nancy Cox Corner and for long I
could not find out who was Nancy Cox, though
tradition had it that she had a monkey.
However before he died old Mr. James Pengilly told
me that she had a Burhouse - what was called a
Tiddywink - why a beerhouse on a lane, hardly more
than a track, untill comparatively recently, which
led to nowhere but a very small hamlet? But taking
into consideration the monkey and the view over the
Manacle Rocks and the fact that so little is known
about it, it seemed obviously the headquarters of a
smuggling organisation.
Going back a few hundred years pack ponies could
go from there up Meadow Lane and except for
Tregellast farmhouse, whose owner was no doubt
"in it" they would pass no dwellings till
they reached the Thatched Cottage at Doath
Lodges.
Note:
In 1958 when the water pipes were being laid to
supply St. Keverne an underground passage five feet
wide was unearthed on the left of the St. Keverne -
Coverack footpath in the second field in, on the
St. Keverne side of the Meeting Stiles.
Unfortunately it was not properly explored before
the pipeline was filled in but it seemed to run
from the old pit in "Parc Jackay" towards
Tregellast Pool.
I have wondered if it came out in the top left
corner of bog garden opposite Tregellast and if it
was in any way connected with the Nancy Cox
Tiddywink for under the West bank of the garden
there is an old stone track, and leading from the
Corner for a few yards there is a row of very large
stones, like paving stones. All so convenient as a
hiding place if the excise men were in the
neighbourhood.
(Miss E. Bulkeley - recordings).
As Austin Pengilly mentions there were several
homesteads with paddock down meadow lane. Parts of
"walling" are apparent now if you look
closely along the hedge. At the upper paddock near
Tregellast Pool lived an old fish Jowster complete
with donkey cart. Many deep and wide trenches
across the paddock are filled with millions of
Limpet shells.
Tregellast Pool now filled in to make a wide road.
Formed a common drinking place for all neighbouring
farmsteads.
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