A MAN who grew up in Weymouth is looking to commemorate a former smuggler who died 200 years ago as his gravestone deteriorates in the churchyard.
William Lewis was a smuggler shot on April 21 1822 by a bullet from the Royal Navy’s Pygmy schooner and was later buried at Wyke Regis Church.
His grave has vastly deteriorated due to acidified rain and fumes of the passing traffic and now Roger Gill, who cycled by the church on his way to school every day as a child, is looking to commemorate the gravestone because it is ‘an important part of history’.
Mr Gill, 68, said: “Over the years the gravestone was decayed and very sadly this part of local history is disappearing in front of our eyes.
“It had been here for a hundred years virtually perfect, for more than 50 years readable, and in the last 30 years we've screwed it up and destroyed part of our heritage.
“It would be nice to have something to commemorate part of the history of Weymouth and Portland, it'll be a shame to see it disappear.”
The gravestone, which is the inspiration for a scene in John Meade Falkner’s Moonfleet, cannot be replaced as it is to be managed into decline but Mr Gill is hoping to commemorate it with a replica or a plaque.
Having delved deep into the story of William Lewis Mr Gill says he was shot by the captain of the Pgymy Schooner who had been chasing the smugglers in Weymouth Bay.
He continued: “The smugglers were trying to get away and finally the schooner caught up with it and when they got on board they found no contraband whatsoever as it had gone over, but they did find one man was injured and so they took him into Weymouth and three days later he died.
“We think we traced one child down but there was another child because William Lewis's wife must have been six months pregnant when he was shot.”
In a bid to commemorate the gravestone and William Lewis, Mr Gill, who now lives in Herefordshire, is looking to hunt down any distant relatives or anyone who has any stories that relate to the smuggler or his grave.
He continued: “We'd love to hear from anybody who knows anything of the story, as well as anybody, who knows a bit of the history.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel