Old Bailey Proceedings:
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials

10th October 1716

About this dataset

Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: t17161010-1




John Nash proceedingsdefend , of the Parish of St. Brides , was indicted upon the Statute made the First Year of His present Majesty's Reign for Felony, for unlawfully, riotously and tumultuously assembling upon the 24th Day of July last, together with John Love < no role > This name instance is in set 3089. . Thomas Bean < no role > This name instance is in set 3085. , George Pruchase < no role > This name instance is in set 3086. , Richard Price < no role > This name instance is in set 3088. and William Price < no role > This name instance is in set 3087. ,(who were all since Convicted and Executed for the same Fact,) and with diverse other Persons to the Number of One Hundred and upward, in disturbance of the the Publick Peace, and for feloniouslly beginning to pull down and to demolish the Dwelling-house of Robert Read proceedingsvictim , contrary to the Form of the Statute , &c.

John Boyle < no role > depos'd, That he lodged at Mr. Read's Mug-house for some Time past; and being asked to give account what their Demeanor usually was when the Company which used the House met together, he answered, That he never knew the Society give any Provocation or Affront to any Person, except that once they turned a Man out of the House for hissing at the Duke of Marlborough's Health: And being asked, whether they ever drank Confusion to any Persons, or to any Sort or Order of Men; he answer'd That he never heard any Confusion drank but once, and that since the last Sessions, they drank Confusion to the Ottoman Attempts against Prince Eugene and the Empire, or to that Effect. He further depos'd, That the Friday-Night before the Day mentioned in the Indictment, a Mob gathered about the Mug-house, whereupon some Gentlemen sent to a Mug-house in Tavistock-Street to some of their Friends, who immediately came and disperst the Mob; so that no Harm was done that Night, only a few Panes of Grass were broke. That upon Monday the 23d of July, in the Evening, a Mob began to gather in the Street when the Society was assembled; that one Overs, a Constable, came to the Door with some Watchmen, and drew up in a Rink before the Door, and then the Mob began to increase very fast, and hiss'd the Gentlemen as they went in and out; whereupon the Witness went out and ask'd them what they hiss'd at, but they threw Stones at him and at the Windows. That some Time after one Johnson, another Constable, came with more Watchmen, but they did not endeavour to disperse the Mob, but encouraged them, and they continued to throw Stones at the House whilst the Constables stood by. That he being in the Coffee-Room, a Stone was thrown out of the Street into the Room, which hit him upon the Leg; whereupon he went out to the Constables, and told them, he wondred they would suffer Stones to be thrown into the House by the Mob when they had Power enough to disperse them; but they answer'd, that the People in the House threw the Stones from above and broke their own Windows; which was impossible for them to do, for the Window shutters above were fast shut, so that no Stone could be thrown out. That Mrs. Read offer'd the Watchmen a Quart of strong Ale to drink the King's Health, but the Constables would not suffer them. That Mr. Hucks offered them a Crown to drink the Kings's Health, but the Constables refused it; and he having given it to one of the Watchmen, the Constable made him return it. That all this while the Mob continued throwing Stones at the House and Windows, so that was scarce a whole Pane left below Stairs; whereupon one Badcock, a Constable, who was in the House, went out and read the Proclamation, and the Mob all the while hiss'd at him. That very soon after the Proclamation was read the Constables and Watchmen went away, and the Mob went away at the same time: And being ask'd what made the Mob go away with the Constables and Watch; he said, he believ'd they did not care to stay after the Constables were gone, for that they were more afraid of the Gentlemen in the House than of the Constables. That the next Morning about Six a Clock the mob began to gather again, and threw Stones at the Windows; upon which he went out to persuade them to be quiet and to do no more Mischief, but he received two Blows on his Head by Stones, one of which gave him a great Swelling in his Forehead, and the other cut him on the side of his Head, and made him bleed very much.

That thereupon he went into the house and brought out a Stick and drove them a little way, but struck no body but the Man who hit him with the Stone. That afterwards the Mob encreasing, and a great Number being come from Fleetstreet arm'd with Sticks, the Witness, together with Mr. Read and a Grenadier, and some others, went out and drove the Mob to Fleet-street, but being over power'd they were forced to retire again; upon which the Mob advanced in great Numbers, with Daniel Vaughan < no role > at their Head, crying Down with the Mug-house . That Mr. Read and the Grenadier presented their Pieces 3 or 4 Minutes, and bid them stand off and have a care; but they pressing on, Mr. Read and the Grenadier fir'd , and Vaughan fell. That the Mob coming on still with great Fury, the Witness and another Man consulted together to make a Barricade upon the Stairs, by which Means the upper part of the House was preserved till such time as the Mob were disperst by the Guards: But that below Stairs the Windows and sashes were all broke to pieces, the Bar and the Cupboard, and the Post to which the Coffee-Mill was fixt , were broke down, and also the Benches and Wainscoat, and it look'd just like a House that was pulling down; and all the Goods were broke to pieces and destroy'd.

Thomas Arrowsmith < no role > deposed, That he was at the Mug-house upon Monday in the Evening; That about 8 or 9'a-Clock the Mob insulted the Gentlemen as they came in and out, hisshing and throwing Stones at them. That a Constable and some Watchmen came to the House, and afterwards another Constable and Watchman, but they fir'd rathet to encrease the Mob; upon which he went out and bid the Mob be quiet and go away, or it should be worse for them. But the Constable took their part, and said the Windows were broke by the People in the House, and bid the Witness go away from the Door; and said the House ought to be pull'd down to the Ground. That the next Morning the Mob gathered again, and threw Dirt and Stones at the Windows; and a Woman came up with two Brickbats and broke the Windows with one of them; upon which he bid her be gone; but she threw another, crying out High Church and Ormond, Damn all the Hanoverians, Down with the Presbyterians. That thereupon he took hold of her, and was bringing her into the House; but one Delander a Watchmaker made several Strokes at the Witness, and he was knock'd down by some among the Mob; and the Woman was rescu'd from him. That he getting up again pursued Delander towards the Water-side, and took him, and brought him into the Mug-house; but the Mob increasing, and he having told his Name and where he liv'd, was let go. That afterwards the Witness, Mr.Read, and some others, drove the Mob back to Fleet-street; but being over powered, they were forced to retreat, and the Mob prest upon-them crying out High Church and Ormond, Down with the Mug-house. That Mr. Freebody a Constable read the Proclamation; but that serving only to enrage the Mob. Mr. Read and the Witness fired their Pieces, after they had bid them stand off and have a care. That he then retired into the House, and defended it till some People had got in at the back Windows and thrust the Witness into the Street. That then, they knock'd him down, drag'd him along the Chanel, and beat him, and the Women struck him over the Head with their Pattens till they cut him to the Skull; and he believed he had been murdered but by the Assistance of Mr. Cheesbrook the Clerk of the Artillery Company, who took him to the Castle Tavern , and had his Wounds drest. That when he came out again the two Constables who had been there the Night before seized him and carried him to another House, and told him they would have the satisfaction to see him Hang'd ; but he told them he had the satisfaction to know he should not be Hang'd that Day. That he was carried to Mr. Read's House again that Afternoon, and found the Windows broke and the inside pull'd to pieces.

Mr. John Collins < no role > deposed, That he was at Mr. Read's House on Monday Evening, and gave the like Account as the other Witnesses of the Proceedings that Night; that he and some others staid in the House all Night, at Mrs. Read's desire, for the Defence of the House: That the next Morning the Mob gathered again about Seven or Eight a Clock. That a Woman came by, Crying, Damn all the Presbyterians, and broke the Windows with Brick-bats: That he and the Grenadier took hold of her, but, Delander rescued her from them, and imediately made off towards the Waterside: That the Witness and the Grenadier pursuing him seized him; that he begg'd not to be exposed, for that it would be his utter Ruin; but they brought him back to the Mug-House, where he was kept some time, and afterwards was let go: That the Mob growing very strong the Proclamation was read by a Constable, and the People in the Mug-House, huzza'd, King George for ever; But the Mob advanced, crying, High-church and Ormond, No King George, No Hanoverians; Down with the Mug-House, throwing Stones and Sticks at the House, and breaking the Windows to pieces. That he heard Vaughan (who was afterwards killed) cry fall on brave Boys, the Duke of Ormond is landed in the West, with 20000. Men, others said the Duke of Berwick and others the Lord Tinmouth: That after Mr. Read had fired, the Witness and some others went up Stairs, and made a Barricade, which probably prevented their being all killed; that after he was up Stairs; he heard great clattering and breaking of the Wainscot and Goods: That he saw the Prisoner, who had a Black Patch upon his Nose, in the House Five or Six Minutes, very busy, breaking the Sashes and Frames of the Windows; that he had an instrument like a Butcher's Cleaver with which he was cutting one of the Side Posts of the Door, and that the Prisoner joined all the while in the aforesaid Cries.

Mr. James Harbottle < no role > Deposed That he was that Morning at Holbourn-Bridge , and saw a Mob passing along with Sticks upon their Shoulders who said they were going to pull down the Mug-House. Upon which he follow'd them, and saw Sticks delivered to them from Mr. Nichols's a Soapboilers, by Holbourn-Bridge; That from thence they went down Shoe-Lane , and at a Brasier's in Shoe-Lane, more Sticks were delivered them. That when they came to an Alley by Adam's the Cook's in Shoe-Lane, they distributed the Sticks; and he heard them say, come Boys, here are Sticks enough: That thereupon he went to the Mug-House, and acquainted them with what he had seen; upon which the Proclamation was read, but they prest forwards, and were afterwards beat back again by the Grenadier; but they growing stronger beat back the Grenadier, and the others who were in defence of the House, throwing Stones and Sticks in great numbers at them and at the House.

Mr. Robins depos'd That on Monday Night he saw a great Crowd of People at the Mug-house Door, who hiss'd at and abused every Body that went in or out of the House. That the next Morning he went to the Mug-house, but knew no body there; however he durst not venture out immediately for fear of the Stones that were flung by the Mob. At last, he and a Gentleman that was with him having an Opportunity, came out, and went to the Castle Tavern in Fleetstreet. That about 12 a Clock he went again to the Mug-house, and a Gentleman brought a Blunderbuss in a Coach, and told the People in the House, that a prodigious Mob was coming down Shoe-lane. That a great Mob appeared immediately, and the Witness went to the Corner of the Square, and staid there till the Piece went off. That he saw the Windows of the Mug-house broke to Pieces. That the Mob threw Ropes over the Sign-Irons, and pulled with such Violence in order to pull down the Sign, that he was afraid the Front of the House would come down and do a great deal of Mischief, and thereupon he went away. That he saw a Parcel of Sticks deliver'd to the Mob out of a Druggist's House at the Corner of Salisbury Court in Fleetstreet, and afterwards he saw several single Sticks delivered to them out of the Shop Window.

Mr. Michael Burrel < no role > depos'd, That on Monday Night he going by the End of Salisbury-Court in Fleetstreet, saw a great Mob in the Court, and was told they were going to pull down the Mug-house; and going up to the House, he saw two Constables and several Watchmen in the Street before the House, who encouraged the Mob, for that he was sure they were able to have dispers'd them, if they had a Mind to it. That Stones were brought in Baskets to the Mob, some of 7 or 8 Pound Weight, and laid down just by the Constables and Watchmen who suffered the Mob to throw them at the House. That when the Constables and Watchmen went off the Mob presently after run away, apprehending (as he believed) more Danger from the Gentlemen in the House whom they had abused, than from the Constables. That the next Morning he went there again, he saw a great Mob breaking the Windows and Goods of the House to pieces; and heard them say, Just thus will we pull King George from his Crown, which is none of his own.

Mr. Rich Bennet < no role > mention'd many of the Particulars of the Riot, both on Monday Night and Tuesday Morning, to the same Effect with the former Witnesses. That after the Mob had beat the Grenadier and the others with him back to the Mug house, he saw a Man bring out two Bottles and carry'd them over against the Swan Ale house, where he and several others drank the Pretender's Health by the Name of King James the Third, and were answered with Huzza's by the People at the Swan Windows.

Mr. Carleton Smith deposed, That he was sent by my Lord Mayor to Salisbury-Court on the Tuesday Morning, to see what was doing there. That when he came there, he found the Crowd so great that he could not get in at the End of the Court in Fleetstreet; so he went thro' St. Brides Passage, and saw two Parties engaging and Daniel Vaughan < no role > deceased at the Head of the Mob. That as the Witness was getting into the said St. Brides Passage to save himself, Vaughan was shot; and fell just by him. That presently he heard a great Noise, and rashing of Boards breaking in the House. And then he thought high time to go and inform my Lord Mayor what was doing. That the Prisoner was brought before my Lord Mayor that Day, and committed by his Lordship. And that the Prisoner had then a Patch upon his Nose.

Mr. Badcock depos'd, That being informed on Monday Night, that there was a Design to pull down the Mug-house, and being a Constable, he was desired to go thither to keep the Peace, which he accordingly did. That he found a great Mob about the House, and a Constable and some Watchmen before the Door. That the Mob stung Stones at the House, whereupon he went out to the Constable, and desired him to keep the Peace and to disperse the Mob; but he answered, that there was no Disturbance but what was made by the People in the House, and that his Hour (10 a Clock) was not come. That the Mob continuing to throw Stones , he went out again, and found Johnson (another Constable) there, and about 20 Watchmen. And the Witness told him, he wondred he would suffer the People to throw Stones so, and to insult the House; acquainting him that he himself was a Constable, and offering to assist him in dispersing the Mob. But Johnson answer'd him, that he (the Witness) was no Constable of the Night, nor of that Ward, and had nothing to do there, and that there were no Stones thrown but what were thrown out of the House, which was impossible , for the Shutters were fast shut, so that nothing could be thrown out at the Windows. And then one of the Watchmen took hold of the Witness, and would have pulled him out of the House. That afterwards he went up Stairs, and often came to the Stair-head to hearken whether the Noise encreased or not. And after some time finding it very great, he came down, and ventured into the Street, and read the Proclamation; and during the time he was reading it, the Mob threw Stones and Dirt so thick, that he was forced to turn his Back to them for fear of receiving Mischief from them. That presently after reading the Proclamation, the Constables, and Watchmen, and the Mob went away almost at the same time.

Samuel Gott < no role > deposed, That he saw the Prisoner there; That he took particular Notice of him, and that he had a great black square Patch upon his Nose; That the Prisoner had a Stick in his Hand, with which he broke the Glass and Sashes or Frames of the Windows; and that he was very active and violent in what he did. That there being a Report that the Guards were coming, the Prisoner made off towards Water-lane; but it proving false, he returned, and fell to work again with the same Fury as before.

Thomas Bone < no role > depos'd, That he saw the Prisoner with a Stick in his Hand, very active among the Mob, and breaking the Goods that were thrown into the Street.

Richard Newell < no role > deposed, That he saw the Prisoner among the Mob on the Monday Morning; That he had a black Patch upon his Nose; That after the Proclamation was read, he saw the Prisoner advance towards the Mug-house with a Stick in his Hand. That he saw him afterwards chopping the Frame of the Window with something like a Butcher's Cleaver. That during all the time of the Mob, the general Cry among them was, High Church and Ormond, No Hannoverians, No King George, Down with the Mug-house.

The Prisoner in his Defence said, he did not join with the Mob, but was coming through the Court accidentally in his Way from Dinner out of Shoe-Lane to his Place of Work; and denied his being in Read's House: Then he called abundance of Witnesses, who were all heard,

The First swore he gave the Prisoner the Blow on the Face which occasioned the Patch.

The Second, that he put the Patch upon his Nose.

The Third, that he dined at her House in Shoe-Lane with the Patch upon his Nose; and went away about One a-Clock.

The other Witnesses gave an Account that they had known the Prisoner, some from his Birth, and others when he was a Child, and others when he was an Apprentice, that he had then behav'd himself well, but none of them gave any Account of the Character for Three or Four Years past.

But nothing of all this Evidence serving to clear him of the Fact; but rather to confirm the Evidence against him on the part of the King ; the Jury found him Guilty of the Indictment.

[Death. See summary.]




View as XML