1. Cowes was originally part of the port of Southampton. The first reference to customs ‘tax’ being collected at that Port was the yield of the tax from July 1203 until November 1205 (in the reign of King John) which amounted to £712 3s 8d.

1. Sources: http://www.customscowes.co.uk/history_of_cowes_customs_until%201750.htm

2. The origin of Customs at Cowes in not clear, according to Arnold (At War With the Smugglers) the Custom House was originally built at East Cowes in 1575, but it seems unlikely that a permanent Custom House was built at that time, although it is possible that there was a presence on the Island from that date. It seems more likely that the original Custom Houses were actually the residence of the Customer / Collector.

2. Source: http://www.customscowes.shalfleet.net/history.htm

3. Original one is shown as East Cowes

3.1898 map

4.  Image - File Cowes Parade The building on the right is the Customs House

4. Sources: http://www.cowes.shalfleet.net/cowes%20parade.htm