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

8th July 1719

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: t17190708-56




John Humphreys proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 3076. , of St. Sepulchrees , was indicted for speaking Words against his Majesty the 28th of February 1717 . William Baron < no role > deposed that he being at an Alehouse with the Prisoner near Hickes's Hall heard the Prisoner lay, that King George was not Hair to the Crown, but King James the Toirdis is the true Hair to the Crown; and would have had two Women who were in his Company have drank the Pretender's Health by that Title, which they refused. Richard Arren < no role > deposed, that he heard him say the same Words about three or four Years ago, and that he saw him assisting the Mob at Salisbury Court as a Captain of them, and that his Mother's a Roman Catholick. The Prisoner deny'd the Fact, and said the Evidence swore against him out of Malice; he called several to his Reputation, but the Evidence being full against him, The Jury found him Guilty .

He was a second time indicted, together with Sam Bains proceedingsdefend , George Picket proceedingsdefend , Tho Hardy proceedingsdefend and Charles Child proceedingsdefend for a Riot and Assaulting divers Women, and tearing their Gowns made of Callicoe , the 12th of June last. Major Hardwick < no role > deposed, that there being a great Dilturbance occasion'd by a great number of Weavers being met together in a Riorous and cumulruous manner, assaulting all Women they met that were drest in Callicoe, tearing their Gowns, and committing other Disorders, on Thursday the 11th of June last,4 Companies of the Militia were order'd to be raised, that his was one of them; that on the 12th they gathered together again, and he having advice that they intended to pull down a House in Brown's Lane , wherein were some Women in Callicoe Gowns, marcht with his Company to prevent it; that he order'd his Lieutenant to enter the Lane with part of his Company at one end, while he and the ralt marcht in at the other, which they did accordingly; that he took Bains and Picket clad in Callicoe to the Waste, whom he took to be the Ringleaders; that they cry'd down with the Callisses. John Walker < no role > deposed that he was with the Major, and saw him lay hold on Bains and Picket drest in Callicoe to the Waste; that there were three or four Hundred of them. William Jones < no role > deposed that he took Thomas Hardy < no role > with a Piece of Callicoe in his Hand flourishing it over his Head, crying, down with the Callicoes. Benjamin Horn < no role > deposed, that as he passed through Wide-Gate-Alley, seeing a Woman go before him drest in a Callicoe Gown, said, it was a pitty they should be wore; whereupon John Humphreys < no role > came up to him and ask'd him to drink, and told him that he had spent Five or Six Guineas that Day to encourage the Mob, and that he hoped to have Ten for them the next Day; that they should be reinfore'd; the Norwich Weavers were coming up, and then the Business would be done; that he told him where he liv'd in White-Chappel, and if he would come to him there, he would acquaint him how the matter went on from Day to Day. William Brisco < no role > deposed, that Humphrey's was a Ringleader of the Mob at Salisbury-Court , and that he heard him brag of what he had done. Mary Pillington < no role > deposed, that she saw Charles Child going a long the Square on Saturday Morning with a vast number, swearing that the Justice had been the Occasion of his being Shot, but he had Meat and Drink now, and might have when the Justice had not; that he went by again at the Head of the Mob on Sunday, and that a Woman being in their House in a Linnen Gown, he said, It was well she was over Against the Justice's; whereupon another told him the Justice saw him; to which he reply'd he might have no Eyes by Night. That he went up and down bellowing and crying and encouraging the Mob. It also appeared that a Surgeon would have cur'd him for a Crown. John Humphreys pleaded that it was Malice against him. Charles Child pleaded, that he was there accidentally, having been out with his Wife with Packthread,(he being a Pack-thread Spinner) and hearing that a Boy was shot was going to see him, but as he went was shot in the Leg himself. They all called several to their Reputation; but the Fact being fully proved, the Jury found them Guilty ; at the same time recommending Charles Child to the Favour of the Court .




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