QSR1841/4/5/58

Depositions and examination - Benjamin Bradley

8 July 1841

From: 1841 To: 1841

John Bradley of Bedford, grocer - about 5pm yesterday his brother Benjamin came into his shop and because of the language his brother usually used to him he tried to avoid him. He left the business he was about and went into the parlour. Benjamin said "why is not Ben put apprentice?" He answered that he would leave this matter to other parties and would have no conversation with him. Thomas Faulkner and others were in the little room. He came and pushed the door open twice and said "will you make my will?" Faulkner said he would go and remonstrate with him. Benjamin began to wave his fist and struck Faulkner on the shoulder. Benjamin caught hold of the counter, refused to leave, and used the most strong language. He got hold of Faulkner's mackintosh and pulled him towards the street. At the door as he [John Bradley] was making his escape to call the police Benjamin struck Faulkner, reeled back, and his arm went through the window. Benjamin called him many names. Benjamin was not intoxicated and he had not done anything to provoke him. Benjamin annoys him in the street, calling him names and asking "who moved his neighbours land mark?". He did not touch Benjamin and tried to avoid him. Thomas Faulkner of Toddington, common brewer - the previous evening he was going through John Bradley's shop into the parlour. Benjamin Bradley stood near the parlour door. He saw John Bradley shut the parlour door. Benjamin Bradley was using abusive language towards him. He passed by Benjamin and went into the parlour himself. He shut the door but Benjamin forced it open 2 or 3 times. He then opened the door and said "Ben what do you want?". Benjamin said "I want my rights". He replied "you have had them if not you will have them" or something to that effect. Benjamin caled him a liar. He told him to leave. As he was going down the step from the parlour Benjamin put his foot on the step. He again told him to leave. As Benjamin passed him he put his hand partly on him and said "Ben you had better go out". Benjamin then assaulted him and struck him on his shoulder with his fist. He took hold of both Benjamin's arms as he was striking at him. He tried to get Benjamin out of the door. Benjamin took hold of his mackintosh on one side and tried to tear it up the back. He [Faulkner] took it in his hand to try to take it away from him and Benjamin struck a violent blow on his nose and mouth, reeled backwards and broke the window. He thinks the breaking of the window was accidental. He then gave Benjamin into the policeman's charge. When he place his hand on Benjamin on the step it was merely in the way of remonstrance - in fact, he could not go down the step without touching him because he stood in the way. Benjamin Bradley - he was amongst the crowd at the hustings yesterday while the business of nomination was going on. He got to a place where John Bradley and another fellow called out "send for a policeman and turn him the scamp in to Mr Whitbread". He does not know who was meant - it was some little fellow. He said policemen were often too busy about things and set to work about things they should not do. He said nothing to his brother until the crowd dispersed. He wanted to have some talk with his brother going home but he gave him the slip. He went to his brother's shop and asked why his [Benjamin Bradley's] son Ben was not put apprentice. John went into the parlour. Faulkner passed by him as he was against the snuff barrels. He went to go into the parlour. Faulkner opened the door and came out. He stepped back 2 or 3 paces to let him pass. Faulkner asked him what he wanted - he said he wanted to know about his rights. Faulkner said he had had his rights - he said that was a lie. Faulkner said if he called him a liar he would turn him out of the shop. Faulkner then took hold of him and pushed him. There was a scuffle and Faulkner's mackintosh became tangled between him and the counter and ripped up. Faulkner took hold of him and pushed him out of the door. [Benjamin Bradley refused to sign the examination]

item

Bradley, Benjamin,
Bradley, John,
Faulkner, Thomas

BEDFORD, grocer, threatening behaviour, elections