QSR1840/4/5/28/a

Deposition of Anthony Chibnall of Bromham, victualler, against John Breed

10 October 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

On 28 August he was coming from his farm about 8pm along the High Road from Kempston to Bromham. He met John Breed and Joel Breed his son. They appeared to be standing still. John Breed stopped him and said he wanted him "about them potatoes". He said if Breed insulted him on the road he should pull him up and walked his horse on. John Breed followed, overtook him, took hold of his coat, swore and said "I'll pull you off your horse and split your bloody head". Breed then pulled him off his horse, struck him several times, knelt on him and they rolled into the ditch together. He asked Breed if he wanted to rob or murder him. Breed said he would "split my bloody head". He was hit several times but he cannot say whether by Breed or his son. He struggled, got on top of Breed and got up. Joel Breed was standing close to him. John Breed offered to fight me. He refused and said he would have Breed up. His hat was knocked off and he could not find it. His horse went off homeward - he overtook it grazing by the roadside. They did not follow him. He thought Breed was going to throttle him in the ditch for he got his arms around his neck. He was much hurt by the blows and has not yet recovered from the injury to his side. He had to put himself under the care of Mr Wooldridge of Bedford, surgeon. He obtained a warrant against Breed the next day. Joel Breed was apprehended soon afterwards, but John Breed could not be got hold of until now. Response to cross examination by John Breed: he did not say to Breed before he struck him "if I can get hold of you I'll split your head with this stick". He had no stick or whip or anything of the sort and was quite sober. John Breed was very drunk and had insulted him two or three times before.

item

Breed, John,
Breed, Joel,
Chibnall, Anthony,
Wooldridge

BROMHAM, KEMPSTON, assault, victualler, surgeon, drunkenness