http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2201279 Sydney Gaz 28 June 1831
transported those convicted of Machine Breaking
Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle), Monday, September 8, 1828
Persons who have obtained Game Certificates for the year 1828, County of Southampton
John HOLDAWAY, Stoke
Isaac HOLDAWAY, Stoke
Robert HOLDAWAY, Stoke.
;
The Morning Post Wednesday, December 29, 1830; Issue 18736
Special Commission for Hants.
Winchester Dec 27
The Judges took their seats at nine o'clock. The Duke of Wellington took his seat on the Bench at the same time.
Robert HOLDAWAY, Matthew TRIGGS, Henry JAMES, James PAINTER, Thomas HARDING, John HEATH and Aaron HARDING were put to the bar, charged with having, with divers others, riotously and unlawfully assembled at Headley on the 23d of November, and, when so assembled, feloniously pulled down and demolished the poor houses of the united parishes of Bramshott, Headley and Kingsley. They were charged in another count with beginning to pull down the said workhouse and in other counts with demolishing and with beginning to demolish the said house, being laid as the house of James SHOESMITH, the master, who resided in it.
Several witnesses were examined, who spoke to the general character of the meeting as riotous and tumultuous. One said that there were 1,700 to 1,800 persons present. One of the witnesses heard HOLDAWAY say “Come away, we have done enough.” Another identified HEATH as having been on the roof of the poor house.
A witness spoke of HOLDAWAY as leading the mob and as counting out money to the people.
Mr Sparrow, one of the visitors of the poor, proved that he saw the workhouse completely demolished. It would take as much as 800
l to repair the damage. About 200
l worth of blankets and other property belonging to the workhouse were taken away; very little of it was returned.
The Prisoners were then called on on for their defence
Robert HOLDAWAY – What I did was with a good intent. I went about with the mob to prevent them from doing any mischief. I did what I could to prevent them, but did not succeed.
The other Prsoners declined saying anything except John HEATH who stated that all that had been sworn against him was false.
HOLDAWAY called Harriet FREEMAN, who stated that she was at Holdaway’s house when the mob called on the 22d and forced him away.
The Rev Mr COBBOLD was next called. He said a number of farmers had called on him. He made no agreement with the farmers. He was compelled to sign a paper, because his life was threatened, and also his house was threatened to be pulled down immediately. The paper related to a reduction of tithes. Witness has known HOLDAWAY eight years; would rather not be asked as to his character. HOLDAWAY, Heath, and Harding belonged to the Selbourne parish. The first is a wheelwright, the second a master carpenter and has a house and shop. Harding is a labourer in husbandry. Mr Cobbold also begged to state as an act of justice to HOLDAWAY that he saved his (witness’s) life and property on the 22d, by his influence over the mob that were about his house.
The Under Sheriff, Mr DUNN, stated he knew the Prisoner HOLDAWAY for many years. He was originally a wheelwright, afterwards he kept a public house for six or seven years. For the last twelve months he had given up that business. Mr Dunn said he had always known him as a quiet, industrious and inoffensive man. Witness hadknown very little of the Prisoner for the last year.
HOLDAWAY received an excellent character from other witnesses. The Jury considered together for a short time, and returned a verdict of GUILTY against all the Prisoners.
The Foreman, after delivering the verdict, said– My Lords, the Jury have forborne to make any special recommendation to mercy, but they hope that your Lordships will take any extenuating circumstances in the cases of all the Prisoners into your consideration. We have thought it better to leave the matter to your Lordships, satisfied that you will give the Prisoners the benefit of any such circumstances in their cases.
Mr Baron VAUGHAN – Certainly Gentlemen. The Court will give due consideration to any such circumstances as those to which you refer.
See also many other reports “Special Commission Hants” including these two
Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette Thursday, December 30, 1830; pg. 2; Issue 781
The Morning Post Saturday, January 01, 1831; Issue 18739 (Sentences of Death, recommending commute to Life)
Cheers, JM
