QSR1828/408-409

Examination of Benjamin Herring of Luton, officer of excise, regarding the riot on 5th November.

1828

From: 1828 To: 1828

'I was sitting in my house in George Street and heard a great noise ... and knowing that and Order of the Magistrates had been posted up and cried prohibiting fireworks, I went to the door to see what was doing and saw a most tumultuous mob letting off fireworks and throwing them at the front of Mr [Charles] Austin's house which is near mine.' He followed them up Dunstable Lane to Mr Jones's but he could not identify the ringleaders because of their disguises. 'When the mob discovered me near them they raised a cry of "Look out boys, Look out boys" and began to press around me.' He got away as quickly as possible and went to Mr William Gregory's next door to Mr Jones's. He asked Gregory why he didn't go out and defend his property but Gregory replied 'What can I do?' The mob eventually left Mr Jones's house. Nearly an hour afterwards, standing at Mr Spencer's door near the George Inn he saw the mob approaching with the pitch barrel. 'Actuated by fear for the safety of the neighbourhood and particularly my own house for I had coals and wood in my cellar and the barrel was frequently rolled on the pavement and blaze touching the houses ... I followed them down ... the mob rolled the ... barrel on towards Mr Jones's house but I felt it prudent not to follow them any further but remained at home to protect my own property and family ... Shortly after the mob returned I was standing at my door and heard [blank] Shane say as he passed "If I had had a gun I woyuld have shot the b________" ..I went up the town afterwards on my duties of office and heard a won=man as I passed her say to James Ford "If they get him out they'll dead him." '

item

Herring, Benjamin,
Gregory, William,
Austin, Charles,
Shane, Richard,
Spencer,
Jones,
Ford, James

LUTON, rioting, officer of excise, Luton George Street, fireworks, magistrate, Luton Dunstable Lane, Luton George