When a tax was introduced on cider and perry in 1763, Sir George Yonge of Escot and M.P. for Honiton led the opposition to the duty in Devon and tried to secure the support of the Tory country gentlemen.

Curator of Honiton Museum, Margaret Lewis writes for the Herald.

The tax of four shillings was levied on the maker of every hogshead made in Great Britain. If cider was made for private use, there was an annual charge of five shillings for each family member. Children under the age of eight were exempt. It was calculated that 2000 extra Excise men would be needed to collect the revenue in Devon and Cornwall.

The Act produced an instant reaction from cider producing areas. Landowners threated to dig up their orchards, apples were given away, no cider was made and riots broke out. There was a riot in Honiton High Street, and it is said that the gutters ran with blood and the water in River Gissage was tinged.

The tax was repealed in March 1766 and there was great rejoicing in The South West. John Duke, Esq. provided a large oxand ten hogsheads of cider for the festivities in Honiton. The ox was decorated with flowers and gilded apples and led through the town along with fifes and drums and a green flag bearing the words “Yonge and liberty and no cider tax”. The ox was roasted whole in a field near the town and Sir George gave a sheep and seven hogsheads of cider. That’s a lot of cider! One hogshead was 63 gallons or 504 pints.

Mr Churchill of Talaton had placed two hogsheads of cider outside his front door and invited all his friends and neighbours round for the celebration. Many loyal and patriotic toasts were made but the unfortunate Mr Churchill fell down and expired, still holding his cider jug.