The COOTE family has a long time connection with Portsmouth Point, known as Spice Island from the area's involvement in the trade of Caribbean spices. For at least three generations COOTEs were Trinity House pilots in Portsmouth Hardour. Even our father 'Ted' ended up working on The Camber when he was manager of the Isle of Wight ferries, and our Grandfather George COOTE worked at Portsmouth Power Station located on the east side of The Camber.
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| Generations of COOTEs lived and worked on The Point, and later our grandfather George worked at Portsmouth Power Station. Pictured 1963 |
What was Spice Island like?
During the 17th century an increasing range of businesses had taken hold in the area with 4 taverns being recorded by 1610. By the 18th century the point had become a popular destination for sailors on leave from ships moored at Spithead. This resulted in the area becoming notorious for lewd behaviour and was mainly composed of pubs and houses of ill repute, and appeared as such in Thomas Rowlandson's etching named after the Point. This etching was also the inspiration for William Walton's musical piece Portsmouth Point - play.
Licensed pilots in Portsmouth Harbour
From the eighteenth century, some of the Coote men were pilots licensed by Trinity House. Most lived at Point and Old Portsmouth. There are some great news stories from the period which have been collected by Philip John Wray here. For example:
• May 1871: John Coote was involved in a rescue effort when the Dutch ship, William III, was lost.
• December 1888: Annie Coote was accused with thirteen others of causing an obstruction in St Mary’s Street as part of a Salvation Army temperance unit.
• February 1889: James Coote was involved in an accident to the Camber Bridge.
These and other stories and pictures collected by Philip here
During the 17th century an increasing range of businesses had taken hold in the area with 4 taverns being recorded by 1610. By the 18th century the point had become a popular destination for sailors on leave from ships moored at Spithead. This resulted in the area becoming notorious for lewd behaviour and was mainly composed of pubs and houses of ill repute, and appeared as such in Thomas Rowlandson's etching named after the Point. This etching was also the inspiration for William Walton's musical piece Portsmouth Point - play.
Licensed pilots in Portsmouth Harbour
From the eighteenth century, some of the Coote men were pilots licensed by Trinity House. Most lived at Point and Old Portsmouth. There are some great news stories from the period which have been collected by Philip John Wray here. For example:
• May 1871: John Coote was involved in a rescue effort when the Dutch ship, William III, was lost.
• December 1888: Annie Coote was accused with thirteen others of causing an obstruction in St Mary’s Street as part of a Salvation Army temperance unit.
• February 1889: James Coote was involved in an accident to the Camber Bridge.
These and other stories and pictures collected by Philip here
Where did we live?
Our family are known to have lived at quite a few addresses:
From the London Gazette
A feeling for how people lived in this area
can be seen at The 1860 Old Portsmouth Project
Pilots were regulated by an Act of Parliament
Since the middle ages Portsmouth has been a major naval port and dockyard, and pilots were required to navigate the fast tides running in and out of the narrow harbour entrance.
Since the middle ages Portsmouth has been a major naval port and dockyard, and pilots were required to navigate the fast tides running in and out of the narrow harbour entrance.
In 1729 the Royal Naval Academy was established at Portsmouth and continued to train officers and cadets until 1872, when it transferred to Greenwich. In 1770 the ramparts and moats which encircled the town of Portsea were started.
We have found four generations of Coote mariners in the harbour:
- John Coote
- John Crockford Coote jnr. born 1787, Waterman aboard 'Agenoria', still piloting age 76
- George Coote born 1827, Trinity Pilot aboard 'Agenoria' and 'Miranda' and 'Osprey'
- George Coote born 1859.
In 1844 John Coote and John Coote junior
are formally appointed Trinity House pilots From the London Gazette
Life on The Point
King James' Gate built in 1687 stood across Broad Street.
The gate ensured that the respectable townsfolk were
kept apart from the disrepute of Point.
A horse ferry boat was first run across the harbour between Portsmouth and Gosport in 1834. In 1838 a Floating Bridge Company was formed and in May 1840 the first bridge began to run. The first bridge could carry 500 people and 20 carriages.
Spice Island today
Spice Island today
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The Coote family memorial plaque can be found
in front of the Still & West pub,
organised by Linda and Graham Coote,
pictured with Norah Coote in 2008.In 2011, vessels over 48m in length must have a pilot boat to enter and leave Portsmouth Harbour.
Interesting links:
Portsmouth_Point | Portsea | The Pubs of Old Portsmouth | portsmouth-guide.co.uk | Portsmouth Harbour | Trinity House |
Today
Our father's last remaining brother Terry died in 2013.
The younger generation have instigated an annual 'Coote Family Barbeque' which in 2013 was held at Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
NOTES
I am still collecting and compiling information, and I am really grateful for the information Linda Coote has unearthed and shared. If you have any items or dates to add, please get in touch: steve@stephencoote.co.uk
John Crockford COOTE (junior)
b 1787 Portsmouth, Hants - Son of John COOTE, pilot
d 1872
Occupation 1813-1818 Waterman aboard 'Agenoria'
Still piloting age 76 ( in 1890 ?)
Residence 1813-1832 East Street, Portsmouth
On 13 May 1787 11 ships sailed from Portsmouth, to establish the first European colony in Australia
On 13 May 1787 11 ships sailed from Portsmouth, to establish the first European colony in Australia
m1: 23 March 1813
Ann BEALE
b ?
d before 12 March 1839
m2: 24 November 1857 at St Mary Alverstoke
Elizabeth GAWN
Residence Gosport - daughter of Stephen Gawn, pilot of Gosport
Elizabeth was Ann's sister, and she married John after Ann's death.
Elizabeth was Ann's sister, and she married John after Ann's death.
………….
George COOTE
b 15 February 1832
d December 1903
Occupation 1871 Trinity Pilot aboard 'Agenoria' and 'Miranda' and 'Osprey'
Still piloting age 65
Residence 1871 13 Seagers Court, Portsmouth
m 17 July 1858
Jane HUMPHRIES
b 1831 in Portsmouth or Burton, Staffs
d ?
Residence 1861 7 Broad Street, Portsmouth
Residence 1871 13 Seagers Court, Portsmouth
………….
George COOTE
b 1859 Portsmouth
d ?
Occupation 26/7/1881 Mariner / Merchant Seaman
Residence 1871 13 Seagers Ct, Portsmouth
m 1881
Louisa TAW
b 1865 Portsmouth
d ?
Occupation 1881 General Servant
Residence 1871 7 Tower St, Portsmouth
Residence 1891 3 East Street, Portsmouth
………….
Jeremiah TAW
b 1822 in Portsmouth
d before 1881
Occupation 1871 Mariner, Waterman
Residence 1871: 7 Tower Street, Portsmouth
m 21 May 1843
Mary COTTRELL
b 1822 in Portsmouth
Occupation 1891: Plain needlework, servant
Residence 1871 7 Tower Street, Portsea
………….
George Henry COOTE
b 10 September 1886, East Street, Spice Island, Portsmouth
d 4 February 1945
Occupation 9/12/1908 Labourer, Boiler Maker at Portsmouth Power Station, SEB, CEGB
Residence 10/9/1886 13 East St, Portsmouth
residence 9/12/1908 18 St Thomas St, Portsmouth
(A cutting says he was oldest living Pilot)
Hobbies: Boxing, football
m 9 December 1908 at Portsmouth Parish Church
Caroline WYNNE
b 23 January 1890, at (McCan?) Barracks, Templemore, Tipperary
d March 1971? at Portchester Crematorium
Address
Residence 9/12/1908 Pensions Office, White Hart Road
133 Newcomen Road, Fratton, Portsmouth
8 Children
………….
Edward Noel COOTE
b 25 December 1925 at 1 Cecil Grove, Southsea, PO5 3BU
m 16 February 1952 to Norah BUTLER at St Mary's, Portsea
d 30 December 2004. Funeral at St Joseph's, Copnor (while St Cuthbert's closed for rebuilding) Standing room only, jazz band leading cortege. Cremated at Paulsgrove Crematorium, Stephen, Peter, Richard and Terry (his brother) Coote carried coffin.
Work, Army Bakery in Benghazi, Libya. (Used to provide Commander's wife with special cakes and bread), Hayes Wharf driver delivering meat to butchers. Hairdresser. Assistant Manager at BR / Sealink Isle of Wight car ferries. Office at The Camber, Spice Island, and at Portsmouth Harbour Station.
Hobbies: Cricket, church, garden, grandchildren. Nickname at School 'Sparrowlegs'.
Address: 35 Chesterfield Road, Copnor, Portsmouth PO3 6LY (bought in 1952 for £3,000)
