Reference
QSR1835/4/5/17-18
Title
Depositions of William Brown of Luton, Victualler; John Birley [Briley], Constable of Luton
In the case of James Brewer and Henry Jones accused of assaulting the said John Birley [Briley]
Production date
From: 1835 To: 1835
Scope and Content
In the case of James Brewer and Henry Jones accused of assaulting the said John [Birley] Constable of Luton.
This Deposition of William Brown on his Oath saith – John Woodward came into my house last night about 8 o’clock and he was quite intoxicated, he came with 2 tin [] – he pushed against my wife and she told him to take himself off out of the house – and he said he should go when he pleased – I was coming out of the cellar he said he would be damned if he went for her or anyone else. I put him out myself – I asked him first to go out but he refused as I was returning into the house he turned round and struck me upon which I collared him – he then began kicking me – I flung him down and kept him there – I sent for Mr [Birley] the constable who came and took him into custody. Before the constable came Joseph [Pedder] came up and hit me several blows to induce me to let Woodward go. I charged James [] to hold Woodward whilst I held [Pedder] Woodward got away from [] and was running away when John Birley came and took Woodward to the Cage – I held [Pedder] till [Birley] came back [Birley] then took [Pedder] away and [] sent for me to help him. I went out and saw [Pedder] running away - I caught [Pedder] and brought him back – several others then said they would have him away and he should not go to the Cage. They got [Pedder] away. James Brewer was one of those who rescued [Pedder] they were too strong for us and we could not keep him. When [Tomalin] the other Constable came up we took Brewer but [Pedder] got quite away, Brewer rescued him by rushing between [Birley] and [Pedder,] [Henry Jones] was with them and I saw Jones try to trip up [Birleys] heels
This Deposition of John Birley of Luton, Constable on his Oath saith I was sent for last night by Mr William Brown to apprehend John Woodward for a disturbance at his house I went there and in going I met John Woodward and took him to the Cage – I came back to Browns and found Joseph [Pedder] in custody – Brown charged me to take him which I did. James Brewer said I should not have [him] – Brewer and several others hustled me and Brewer tore him from me and rescued him – [Pedder] ran away towards the Gas [House] Brown overtook him and I got hold of him again - Brewer and others then returned him again and [Pedder] got quite away. Brewer was lying on the ground and I [seized] him he rolled over and tried to kick me – I told him if he would go quietly I would not hurt him – he said he would not go and if we fetched a cart, we got a barrow but he would not go in that, we at last got him into the cage. I charged Henry [Cain] to help me but he said he would not, I called upon Henry Jones to help me when I first went he said he would see me damned first - When I ran after [Pedder] Jones endeavoured to trip up my heels I should think there was forty people there and Brewer was the ring leader.
Exent
2 pages
Reference
Level of description
item