Reference
QSR1821/350
Title
The examination of Thomas Hine of Milton Ernest, farmer and John Sturges the elder, labourer.
Date free text
23 July 1821
Production date
From: 1821 To: 1821
Scope and Content
Thomas Hine said "I am one of the constables of the parish of Milton Ernest & on the Sunday Morning July 15th instant between the hours of 1 & 2 oclock in the morning in consequence of a disturbance in the street of Milton Erness I had a person named John Solesbury in custody & was leading him away when I & the persons whom I had charged to assist me namely John Sturgess the Elder and John Sturgess the younger were violently assaulted by a mob of 20 or 30 Persons who by pulling moving striking & kicking me & my assistants tried to rescue the prisoner from our grasp which after struggling with us about a quarter of an hour they effected. In the skuffle we were driven to the brink of a pond in the street & the mob cried out pond them. Thomas Griggs & William Clarke were very active in the rescue. I believe William Clarke leaned with all his weight upon my arm for the purpose of making one leave go of the prisoner." Signed Thos Hine.
John Sturges the elder said "Early on Sunday Morning of the 15th day of July instant between 1 & 2 oclock in the morning I was charged by Mr Thomas Hine the constable to assist him in taking away a person named John Solesbury whom he had got in custody when we were set upon by a mob of men & boys who endeavoured to rescue Solesury which after a long violent skuffle they did. In this skuffle I was thrown down upon the ground & because I would not leave go of the prisoner I was dragged upon the ground at least 5 or 6 yards at the last the prisoner was pulled from my hold. Thomas Griggs laid hold of me by the left hand & tried to pull me away by main force from my hold of Solesbury. William Clark I heard hollahing the mob & encouraging them by his voice tho' I do not recollect the exact expressions he used. It was a moon light night." Signed by a mark.
Reference
Level of description
item