Letters to the Editor, Autumn 2004

Dear Editor

An internet search for any mention of Richard Culmer, who allegedly built the pier at Broadstairs and built boats there in the 15th century, led me to your Newsletter article last year on Archbishop Laud and the complaint of Richard (Blue Dick) Culmer.

I am one of several descendants of Blue Dick’s cousin George (not yet 100% proven) spread around the world, who are researching the origins of the Culmer family of Thanet and I wondered whether any of your members could suggest sources for research pre-1700. We know that several Culmers were ship owners and mariners and held lands in several areas of Kent. In our research we have of course examined parish records, wills, hearth taxes etc. and several forays have been made to the CCA and KAS.

An undated newspaper article in my possession records a lecture at Broadstairs quite some time ago by Dr. Hugh Raven, in which he proposed that among the lands held by the Culmer family in Thanet there was a wooded hill above the sea (long since totally logged for their boat building) and that this ‘Collis Maris’ was the origin of the name Culmar and hence Culmer.

Would there, for instance, have been any archaeology of the late medieval pier and Culmer boat building yards on what is now the beach at Broadstairs?

We would be grateful for any advice and guidance that KAS members may be able to give us in our research.

Alan Johnson Essex

Responses to Mr. Johnson’s enquiry can be mailed to johnsonakx@aol.com or posted to the Newsletter editor at the usual address.