QSR1837/3/5/23

Depositions - Peter Robins

19 June 1837

From: 1837 To: 1837

Matthew Flanders of Little Staughton – he is an attendant at the Chapel at Little Staughton. It is an old established Chapel for dissenters, duly licensed according to Act of Parliament. He was at the Chapel yesterday evening at about 6.30pm. Revd Mr Robinson was performing the service. He saw Robins coming across the meeting yard towards the door. Robins opened it, came in and said “Hullo! What is the matter here? What insurrection is this? What the Hell have you been at here?” Cooper, Robins’ brother-in-law took hold of Robins and tried to turn him out, but was not able to do so. Robins then challenged the best man in the meeting to fight. Cooper and Bennett then got Robins outside the door. Robins stripped and challenged Bennett. They tried to pacify him, then left him and went back into the Chapel. They shut the door behind them. Robins immediately burst open the door and rushed in again, and asked who had been interfering with his brother-in-law and who had cheated him [Robins] out of a pint of beer. The congregation was alarmed and disturbed by this conduct and the service was interrupted for some time. Before Robins came in everything was quiet and orderly. When Robins called out asking who had cheated him, he and 4 or 5 others got hold of Robins and with great difficulty got him out. Robins resisted them as far as he could. John Hilson of Little Staughton – [repeats much of Flanders’ evidence]

item

Robins, Peter,
Elsam, John,
Flanders, Matthew,
Hilson, John

Little Staughton, assault, misdemeanor, nonconformists, Nonconformist buildings, dissenting minister