QSR1832/2/5/18-21

Depositions of John Smith, constable of Stotfold. In the case of Thomas Blaisley, William Webster, Reuben Blazely, William Pate and John Canfield accused of assault.

23 November 1831

From: 1831 To: 1832

John Smith: on 30 October he heard there were a number of people assembled at Stotfold and he went and found several people in the street. There might have been 50 to 100 people. He endeavoured to persuade them to go home and getting people out of the public houses for about 2 hours. There was no fighting but they were using a great of bad language and the place was all in uproar. Between 7pm and 8pm when he turned them out of the White Horse public house he believed there to be at least 150 people in the street. They were hallooing up and down the street and using threatening language and making a riot. When he told them to go home they said they should stay as long as they liked. Webster, Brazeley, Pate and Canfield were present and among the foremost of the rioters. They came from Baldock and were with many other Baldock people and wanted to fight. They said they would fight anybody. One man in the crowd had a bludgeon and another names Thomas Brazeley had an open knife in his hand. Brazeley [Blaisley] struck at him with the knife and Charles Wray, who he had called to assist, was hit with the knife. He took Webster and Pate into custody. He also took Reuben Blazeley into custody but Blazeley rescued himself from custody.

item

Smith, John,
Blaisley, Thomas,
Blazely, Reuben,
Blazeley, Reuben,
Pate, William,
Canfield, John

STOTFOLD, Baldock, assault, constable, Stotfold White Horse, rioting