During earlier centuries it has been the practice of some Folkestoners to give birth to their children in the Netherlands. The effect of this was to give the children what we call today "duel citizenship". This could come in very handy if these individuals were later caught involved in smuggling activites.

In January 1823 a confrontation at sea occurred between the fishing lugger Vre Brodiers (Four Brothers) of Vlissingen, Netherlands (Flushing, Holland) and the British Revenue cutter the Badger. The lugger, crewed by both Dutchmen and Englishmen from Folkestone was engaged in smuggling activites. Following the clash with the Badger the crew were arrested and tried. Below is a list of the crew.

For the full story of the Vre Brodiers follow this link.

NAME	ALIAS	AGE	NOTES
BOXER Richard	ALLASON Hendrick	40	born in Netherlands
CUSING Thomas?	*	*	killed
CUSING?	*	*
DANGERFIELD William	*	18
de FRIERE Yan	*	26
EASTWICKE Brenald	ESSEX Brenald, de FRENARK Yan	*
EASTWICKE John	ESSEX John, VANNEESS Yan	22
FESWICKE Thomas	de BREYNE Hendric	25
GREENLAND John	de FRENCHBERG Yan	32
HARRISON John	*	22
KALLEE John	VANDYKE Jonathan	24
KAPPEE Martin	*	34	Dutch National
KRANS Marinel	*	37	Master, Dutch National
KULKE Carle	*	30	Dutch National
MALLEE John	CRAT Yan	55
MILTON Joseph	MARREE Vollee	32	born in Netherlands
MOLLINAAR Abram	*	24	Dutch National
MOLLINAAR Kiest	*	24	Dutch National
PETERS Jacob	BODILEAN or PROBILEAU Jacob	26	Dutch National
SANDERS Joseph	*	*	killed
SMITH John	SCHMIDT Yan	31
VANESS?	*	*	killed
WATSON Jeremiah	LAMPE Yan	33
WILLS Joseph	REYMER Cornelius	38	Pilot, born in Netherlands
WILLS William Brice	YENNER Yan	22	born in Netherlands

For the full story of the Vre Brodiers follow this link.