QSR1833/2/5/10

Deposition of David Dickens, constable of Southill. Ann Reynolds, niece of William Crowther, keeper of the White Horse at Southill. George Crowther, son of William. In the case of Thomas Wheatley accused, together with other evil disposed persons, of unlawfully and riotously assembling together and assaulting David Dickens in the execution of his duty.

3 April 1833

From: 1833 To: 1833

David Dickens: he was the constable of Southill. On 17 March he went to the White Horse public house to suppress a riot. He found there Thomas Albone, Thomas Wheatley and several other men. Wheatley and others were standing up as if they were going to fight. He desired them all to sit down and Albone told them to do as they liked and not it they did not like. Albone struck the table with his fist and broke it. He then charged the standers-by to assist him in putting Albone out of the house and they put him out. Thomas Wheatley interfered to help Albone and to hinder him from getting him out. Wheatley and Albone then both struck him. After a short time Albone came in again and, whilst he was trying to get Wheatley out, Albone took Wheatley to stop him getting Wheatley out. He struggled with them and succeeded in knocking them both down. Albone got up again and took the poker and struck the table with such violence it broke the poker and the table and swore he would clear the house with the poker. They succeeded in getting handcuffs of Albone and then Wheatley gave up. On Sunday 31 March he was also sent for to the same public house to turn Wheatley out who was rioting and refusing to go home. Ann Reynolds: she was the niece of William Crowther, keeper of the White Horse in Southill and she lived in his house. She was present on 17 March when the riot began. Wheatley began it and wanted to fight somebody. She and her uncle begged them to go out of the house as if they were begging for their lives. They sent for the constable and she heard what he had said and it was all true. She was present the whole time. George Crowther: son of William Crowther. As soon as the constable Dickens came in he told the men to sit down. Wheatley said he should not sit down and struck at Dickens. Albone said to Wheatley to go for it and he would be his backer. Before the constable came Albone had said that as soon as any constable came into the house Albone would knock him down. In the scuffle he saw Albone strike the constable with his fist at the back of the neck.

item

Wheatley, Thomas,
Dickens, David,
Reynolds, Ann,
Crowther, William,
Crowther, George,
Albone, Thomas

SOUTHILL, Southill White Horse, rioting, assault