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of dredging and fishing, was separated from the dry 

 portion. The marine portion of the Manor was, in that 

 year, sold with the royalty of fishing and oyster beds to 

 Thomas Foord, who afterwards conveyed the same to 

 the Company of Dredgers, who thus became the 

 proprietors, an Act of Parliament having been obtained 

 in 1793 by which they were incorporated under the title 

 of " The Company of Free Fishers and Dredgers of 

 Whitstable," with a Common Seal. 



Water 

 Court. 



The Fleet at Anchor. 



The Act gave them power to hold a yearly 

 Water Court by their steward and water 

 bailiff, for the admission of Freemen, and for 

 regulating the fishery. From that time forward for over 

 a hundred years, the business of the company was managed 

 by a foreman, deputy-foreman, and twelve jurymen, with 

 a water-bailiff, all of whom were elected annually at the 

 court held in July. At the same court the treasurer, 

 auditor, and salesmen were appointed. 



