Reference
QSR1825/316-317
Title
Examinations and depositions: Information of William Brown, Houghton Conquest, keeper of the Poor House. Wm. Whiteman and Wm. Topham both of Houghton Conquest came into the yard of the Poor House and brought some beer, some of which they gave to James Grummit and Wm. Batterson, same, labrs. who were confined in the cage in the yard. Shortly afterwards, Wm. Topham was kicking the cage door violently. Half an hour after this [blank] Christmas of Houghton Conquest, shepherd, came into the yard, placed himself near the cage and started to play 'upon a german flute', whilst a considerable number of people who were by this time in the yard danced 'to the sound of the flute'. Brown then went out and told them to stop, which they did. The constable then ordered them out of the yard and they obeyed. Brown then went with Wm. George to John Robinson's, a neighbouring farmer's yard, for straw to put in the cage 'at the desire of the prisoners'. On returning to the yard of the poor house in company with two other constables, they unlocked the door of the cage to put the straw in, and Thos. Grummit, Houghton Conquest, labr., attempted 'to wrest open the door' with the intention of rescuing the prisoners. He also saw Wm. Whiteman, Wm. Topham and Jn. Whiteman all of Houghton Conquest, labrs. 'pressing up towards the prison door'. As soon as the door was closed Wm. Whiteman became abusive with 'very violent language, and put up his fist in a threatening manner in my face .... by which he put me in bodily fear. I also heard .... William Topham encourage [him] ... by saying .... d him, hit him'. After this he ordered Wm. Whiteman and the others in the yard to leave but Wm. Whiteman refused saying he had as much right there as Brown had. The constables then turned them out of the yard and the crowd became very riotous and abusive towards Brown. The constables then ordered Brown to go into the crowd and 'seize some of the most disorderly amongst the crowd'; Brown then went and seized Jn. Whiteman 'who was the most noisy and disorderly person at that time' and told him that if he would not be quiet the constables would put him in the cage. Brown then went back to the yard but 'upon the noise and disorder of the people without increasing, instead of diminishing, I went out of the yard a second time and by order of the constables seized John Whiteman again ... In attempting to break loose from me [he] .... fell down in the midst of the crowd and I fell upon him. Whilst we were on the ground some person ... called out for his Brother ... [Wm. Whiteman], who struct me a violent blow upon the back with some unknown weapon, by which blow I thought at the time my back was broken'. The constable Jas. Juffs then came up and took Wm. Whiteman away and ordered him and rest of the crowd to go, which they did.
Date free text
1825
Production date
From: 1825 To: 1825
Language
English
Reference
Level of description
item