George Ransley

1792 – 1856

George Ransley lead the Aldington Gang of smugglers after its previous leader, Cephas Quested, was captured. He was arrested, convicted at Maidstone assizes and transported.

George Ransley was born in 1792 in Ruckinge. His parents, Robert and Martha were both Ransleys. No records of any siblings have been found.

James and William Ransley, possibly cousins of George, were hung in 1800, at Penenden Heath, for Highway Robbery and Horse Stealing.

George was employed at various times as farm labourer and carter.

He married Elizabeth Bailey in 1809.

George and Elizabeth’s first child, Matilda, was born within five months of their marriage. In all they had ten children but Ann, b. c. June 1815, died at five months.

It is said that George Ransley found a smugglers stash in fields where he was working and used the proceeds to buy his house, ‘the Bourne Tap’, which became an illegal drinking den probably supplied with smuggled spirits and the location of much unbridled licentious behaviour.

When he assumed leadership of the Aldington Gang in 1821, he retained Dr. Ralph Papworth Hougham, to tend to any of the gang that suffered injuries, and solicitors, Langham and Platt, to defend members in case of arrest. Families were looked after in case of disablement or death of the gang member. This care for the gang members helped to ensure loyalty.

Ransley was arrested in October 1826 and convicted in January 1826 at Maidstone Assizes. Different accounts are given of the charges on which Ransley was convicted but a death sentence was commuted to Transportation on the pleading of his lawyer.

Ransley departed for Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) on 26 March 1827 on board the ship ‘Governer Ready’, arriving four months later.

He was sent to work on a farm in Tasmania, where his knowledge of farming was of great benefit. His wife and children followed two years later, but the youngest, Elizabeth died during the voyage.

George died in 1856 in Tasmania. Elizabeth died two years later. Both were buried in the cemetery at Plenty, New Norfolk.