Hannibal Richards moved to north Devon from Morwenstow, in Cornwall, in 1789, where he had been a member of the notorius gang of smugglers called the Cruel Coppinger's gang. He lived on a farm called The Gwythers, in Lee, a small village situated in a valley which meets the sea in a secluded, rocky cove. There he married Jane Gammon, who was born in the village. He returned to his infamous old ways, and, despite being well known to the authorities, and following a number of close shaves, he managed to evade conviction. He eventually retired after a raid which resulted in the capture of the other members of his gang. The inscription on his headstone reads:

IN MEMORY of HANIBAL RICHARDS who departed this life July 23 1849 aged 85 years

ALSO

JANE RICHARDS The Wife of the Above Who died June The.13.1875 Aged 101 Years

ALSO OF JANE BRAY Daughter of the above

HANIBAL RICHARDS who died January 25 1897, Aged 100 Years & 6 Months

Jane Bray, Jane Richards, Hannibal Richards Grave Stone.
Burial plot CC14, Holy Trinity Parish Churchyard, Ilfracombe, Devon, England.   

Jane Bray and Jane Richards Centenarians

A commemorative stone to the town's centenarians, mounted on the east facing wall of Holy Trinity Parish Church, Ilfracombe, Devon, England.   

The inscription on the commemorative stone reads:

CENTENARIANS

Who lived and died in thisParish.

Elizabeth Brooks Died January 10th 1858, Aged 100 Years.

Nanny Vagges (Widow) Born June 19th 1758, Died October 6th 1859.

Jane Richards. Died June 13th 1875. Aged 101 Years.

Jane Bray Died January 25th 1897 Aged 100 Years & 6 Months.

Maria Louisa Leman Died June 29th 1913. Aged 103 Years.