QSR1829/340-1

Evidence in the prosecution by John Berry and Richard Wheeler, overseers of Millbrook, of Elizabeth Cartwright, Amelia White, Elizabeth Thompson, Elizabeth Wheeler, and Eunice Thompson, spinster, all of Millbrook, for assault and riot.

7 April 1829

From: 1829 To: 1829

Information of Charles Goode of Ampthill, special constable: received a warrant to arrest Edwrd Underwood, Job Underwood, Charles Cartwright, Josiah Wheeler and Joel Thompson, all of Millbrook, labourers, for setting fire to and destroying five parish wheelbarrows and five hempen bags. "I with assistants and under the eye of Mr Greene the clerk of the Magistrates of the Hundred of Redbornstoke (having understood by information that resistance would be offered) entered the Houses of the different parties in order to apprehend them during the time that I was searching the Houses where Joel Thompson and Josiah Wheeler resided a considerable Mob collected and threatened myself and Assistants, it first began at Joel Thompson's father's House and while myself and Assistants Thomas Kingston Constable of Ampthill and George Woodcraft the constable of Millbrook were up Stairs searching for the said Joel Thompson some one fastened us up Stairs and Thomas Kingston forced the door open as considerable number of Women and grown up Girls were then assembled Joel Thompson's wife (Elizabeth Thompson) was with them and very violent to prevent us entering the House and his siter Eunice Thompson was also among the rest and very violent we did not find Joel Thompson in the House, we left followed by the Mob and were insulted and Hooted by about 20 or 30 in a most gross manner by expressions that ought not to be mentioned we then proceeded to Josiah Wheeler's Cottage and entered it in order to apprehend him he was not at home the Mob had increased at that time to near One hundred persons and still continued expressing the same disgusting and violent language..... they then began to throw stones at myself the other Constables and the Overseers and one stone in particular struck the Brim of Mr Richard Wheeler's Hat, the person who threw that stone was Amelia the wife of Esau White who was observed by Mr Jones, the clerk of Mr Greene to throw the same, other stones were thrown at the same time Mr Greene then ordered me to take her into custody I did so and the Mob then became most outrageous saying stick to one another we'll Master them and the said other expressions above referred to and endeavour'd to take her away. Mr Richard Wheeler then came to her assistance and led her forward from the mob who had hold of her leaving myself and others between her and the Mob, the Mob then became more violent and Mr Greene ordered myself and Kingston to present Pistols which were concealed in our pockets but which were unloaded, they then drew back but still followed using the same violent abusive and indecent expressions till we came to Mr Wheeler's at the Public House the most violent amongst them were the said Elizabeth Thompson, Elizabeth Wheeler and Eunice Thompson, when we were in the Public House the Mob still continued and increased and Hooted us and Halloo'd us in if possible a more insulting and gross manner; myself Kingston and Woodcraft then went to apprehend Job Underwood and Edward Underwood and on bringing them to the Public House for safe custody the Mob then became more violent and Elizabeth alias Bet Underwood in particular encouraging the rest when we were obliged to apprehend her, I never saw such a Riot in my life and I am sure if we had not shewn the Pistols some injury must have happened to us, the Village was completely up in Arms and on going to apprehend some of the others in the Evening we were pelted again and one stone struck my stick which i was holding up in my defence". Thomas King, Ampthill, constable and George Woodcraft, Millbrook, constable, corroborate the testimony above. Information of Evan Jones: "Elizabeth Cartwright being in the Riot and particulalrly active in encouraging the rest and making use of the above referred to expressions."

item

Goode, Charles,
Underwood, Edward,
Underwood, Job,
Cartwright, Charles,
Wheeler, Josiah,
Thompson, Joel,
Greene,
Kingston, Thomas,
Woodcraft, George,
Thompson, Elizabeth,
Thompson, Eunice,
Wheeler, Richard,
White, Amelia,
White, Esau,
Jones, Evan,
Wheeler, Elizabeth,
Underwood, Elizabeth,
Cartwright, Elizabeth

AMPTHILL, MILLBROOK, parish constable, Overseers, magistrates court clerk, rioting