Newport Chartists Vol.6, p.50

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[heading in pencil]

Solomon Brittons Case


William Watkins sworn says - I live with Mr

Croft a Solicitor residing at Pontypool - I am his servant - I know

a man of the name of Solomon Britton - I now see him here -

here he is - I remember to have seen him about 6 o'Clock in the
morning of Monday the 4 of November opposite Doctor Phillips new

house at Tros Nant near Pontpool - previous to my seeing him I heard

a noise on the outside of my masters Stable door like a knocking at the

door - I was inside the door - I called out who was there - a person
outside said he wanted to see me - I then opened the Door - a man
named John laid hold of me by the Collar and said to me come

along - he had a Gun in his hand - I pulled back and he hit me on the
back part of my neck with the but end of his Gun - the blow that he
gave me was a very severe one - I fell down from the effect of it -
more men entered the Stable with that person about fifteen of them -

they took me from my Master's stable towards the Clarence Inn which

is near - there were a great many persons assembled there - I saw

the Prisoner Solomon Britton there - I am quite certain he was there

I did not here his name then mentioned - I expressed a wish to go back

and to shut the stable door which I had left open - I was not permitted

to do so - the Prisoner interfered to prevent me - he said bring him along

he gave directions to have me taken care of and observed he said "take

care of him" - I was not dressed I had no Hat or Jacket on - the Prisoner

addressing himself to me and others said "Go along" - Before that was said

the men had been all standing still - we proceeded from the Clarence Hotel

to Pontypool - I then observed a Man with a bag or wallett on his shoulder - he

was proceeding towards Pontypool - Some of the men said here is another -

The Prisoner then said "take him" - that person was taken and compelled

to go with us - Between Pontypool and the turnpike road, on the way

towards Newport we met a boy about sixteen or seventeen years of age

- the mob when they observed the boy said "here is another" - the boy

shewed the men a Card - he shewed the Prisoner Thomas Britton the Card

Britton might have seen it if he pleased - Britton then said "puff" and

sent the boy along to me - one of the men put their hands upon the boy and