Middlesex

February Sessions 1783

Hicks's Hall

The king
agt
John Barnes< no role >
&
Elizabeth Neaves< no role > }
On the prosecution of Elizabeth Wright< no role > for an Assault

Indictment

Selsforth that John Barnes< no role > & Eliz Neaves< no role > on the 28th day of Decr last did make an Assault
on Elizabeth the wife of John Wright< no role > and then & there did beat wound & ill heat the sd Elizth within the
Liberty of the Rolls Etc

Barnes lives with one Anson a perfumer in Chancery Lane & calls himself a Register Office Keeper
Neaves is a person or Servt in the House with them

Case

Leaves 1

On Saturday the 28th of Decr last the day mentd in the Indictmt abt 6 in the Evening as two Childn of
Mr Wrights were going to a Grocers in Chancery Lane Barnes Past by them when the youngest of the Childn. abt.
8 Yrs & half old ran; the other about 10 Years say'd Dont run Jack'tis only Madge Barnes< no role > turned red & ran
after the elder but cod not over take him he then laid hold of the Younger & look him into the Shop of sd Anson, the
elder then came to the Window & heared his Bror ory & also heard the laskes of a Whip but did not see it done, He then
ran home & told his Mother & she in going met the Child abused or her stairs who acquainted his Mother that a Green
Coat Man (meaning Barnes) had been whiping him with a House whip, His Mother asked for what He sayd for
nothing he could not catch Tuke (meaning his Brother) so he lickt one".Natural affection inclining the Mor to
take the part of her Child went in a peaceable manner to know the reason for such behaviour when she no sooner
asked the question of Barnes in the Shop But he sayd Damn You you Bitch turn out or Ill Kick you out" Etc
immedly took her by both her Arms & gave her a kick on the hip into the passage of the Shop, When Elizth Neaves
followed Barnes & struck Mrs Wright on the thick part of her Arm & say'd Go along you whore, go along you Bunter
what do you want here" while Barnes kept Jobbing one of her Elbows agt the wainscotHe still having hold of
her Arms went in the street & pulled her down the steps of the house sevl Yards & then endeavoured to get her up
the Steps agt & in so doing tore her Black Silk Cloak so that it is impossible to wear in future & sayd Damn
you you Bitch you think to Lay in at home but you shall Lye in in a prison Her eldest & 2d Jon being all the
time with her she sayd to her 2d Son Go to Mr Hawkes (Hair Dresser who lives next door but one to where
she was so insulted) & tell him to come as the fellow will murder me Hawkins came (& two Gent Strangers going
by sayd Damn you you Rascal are you going to Murther the woman. to which Barnes replied Damn her a Bitch
Ill do for her at this time a great Cored assembled) & Stood by her she was then loose from Barnes when Barnes
catched hold of her Son by the leg as he was running into Hawkes's passage when Mrs Wright Admits she took
hold of Barnes's Hair & Hawkes hold of the Boys leg & sayd let go the Boy, Barnes then damned her for as
Buggering Bitch sayd she was a Whore & all her Childn Bastards & that if She would fetch her husband he'd
ring her neck of for your (meaning Mrs Wright) being with Child shall not execute my striking you when
many people asked him if he was not ashamed to use a wernan so in her Condition He then offered to ship
& fight any pson present But Mrs Wright got into Hawkes's passage to receives herself until Barnes went away

On Sunday the 29th Mrs Wright was ocry ill through the Usage she received & being very big with
Child in the last Month was afraid what she suffered would being on her Labour & often complasired of
the kick on her side