6. On _June 20, 1743_, _John Baker_, at the head of a large mob came to the house of _Jonas Turner_, at _West-Bramwick_ near _Wensbury_, and asked him, “Whether he would _keep from these men_ that went preaching about, and go to the church?” he answered, “I do _go to the church_. But I never see any of you ♦there.” Presently one _Dan. Oniens_ with a great club, broke great part of the window at one blow. Others laid hold of him, and dragged him about sixty yards, before he could get loose from them. Afterwards they broke all his windows, and threw into the house abundance of stones, to break his goods.
♦ ‘there,” presently’ replaced with ‘there.” Presently’ per Errata
About four in the afternoon they came to the house of widow _Turner_ of _West-Bramwick_. They threw in bricks and stones so fast, that she was forced to open the door and run out among them. One of her daughters cried out, “My mother will be killed!” On which they fell to throwing stones at her. She ran into a neighbour’s house, but before she could shut the door, they broke the bottom off with a brick end. They followed her other daughter with stones, and one with a great stake. She ran into another house, much frightened, expecting to be murdered. The widow asked “How can you come and abuse us thus?” On which one came with a large club, and swore, “If she spoke another word, he would knock her on the head, and bury her in the ditch.” Then he went and broke all the glass that was left. The same they did to many of the neighbouring houses.
7. On the 19th of _June_, _James Yeoman_ of _Walsal_, saw _Mary Bird_ in her father’s house at _Wensbury_, and swore, “By G―― you are there now; but we will kill you to-morrow.” Accordingly he came with a mob the next day; and after they had broken all the windows, he took up a stone, and said, “Now by G―― I will kill _you_.” He threw it, and struck her on the side of the head. The blood gushed out, and she dropt down immediately.
“Another of them took Mr. _Hands_ of _Wensbury_ by the throat, swore he would be the death of him, gave him a great swing round, and threw him upon the ground. As soon as he rose, one _Equal Baker_ gave him a blow on the eye, and knocked him down ♦again. In about half an hour the mob came to his house, and broke all the windows, except about twenty panes. The kitchen windows they cleared, lead, bars and all, broke the window-posts, and threw them into the house. The shop was shut up (he being an apothecary:) but they quickly broke all the pots and bottles in pieces, and destroyed all his medicines. They broke also the shelves and drawers in the shop to pieces, and many of his houshold goods.
♦ “again, in” replaced with “again. In” per Errata
8. On _January 13, 1743‒4_, the mob rose again at _Darlaston_, broke all the windows of all who _followed this way_ (except two or three who bought themselves off) broke open several houses, and took what they liked, the people belonging to them being fled for their lives.
About the same time the Rev. Mr. _E――_ came to _Darlaston_; and meeting some others at _Thomas Forshew_’s they drew up a writing, and _Nicholas Winspur_, the crier of the town, gave public notice, “That all the people of the society must come to Mr. _Forshew_’s, and sign it; or else their houses would be pulled down immediately.” It was to this effect, “That they would never read, or sing, or pray together, or hear these parsons any more.”
Several signed this through fear. They made every one who did, lay down a penny――――“To MAKE THE MOB DRINK.”
9. About _Candlemas_, the wife of _Joshua Constable_, of _Darlaston_, was going to _Wensbury_, when a mob met her in the road, threw her down several times, and abused her in a manner too horrible to write. A warrant was procured for some of these. But one of them only was carried before Mr. _G――――_, who came back and told his companions, the justice said, “That they might go home about their business.” On this the mob rose again, came to _Joshua_’s house, and destroyed all the necessary goods therein. They likewise broke and spoiled all his shop tools, threw the tiles off the roof of the house, and pulled down one room, the joist of which they carried away with them. All his gunlocks they took away; they tore in pieces all his wife’s linen, cut the bed and bedstead, so that it was good for nothing, and tore her bible and common-prayer book all to pieces. She and her husband retired to another house. But one telling the mob they were there, they swore “they would tear it down immediately, if the man let them stay any longer.” So they went out in the frost and snow, not knowing where to lay their head.
10. On _Tuesday, January 31, 1743‒4_, _Henry Old_ came to _John Griffiths_’s house, saying, “If he did not leave _following this way_, he had a hundred men at his command, who should come and pull his house down.” Soon after he brought some with him; but the neighbours gave him money, and sent him away for that time.