Dr Mike Baldwin : Organologist : Historian : Researcher : Writer : Harp maker : Restorer
Enoch Flemine and John Morris - disturbance of the peace, 28 June 1780
(Alice Wiggins - a harp maker's wife gives character reference)
Old Bailey Online, t17800628-71
ENOCH FLEMINE and JOHN MORRIS were indicted for that they together with twenty other persons and more, did, unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assemble, on the 8th of June , to the disturbance of the publick peace, and did begin to demolish and pull down the dwelling-house of Ferdinand Schomberg , against the form of the statute, &c.
FERDINAND SCHOMBERG sworn.
I live in Woodstock-street, Hanover-square . On the 7th of June at twelve o'clock at night, about ten or twelve people came to my house with iron bars and broke open the door; when the door was broke open I ran out of the house to endeavour to get some assistance.
In what condition was your house when you left it? - In exceeding good condition.
In what condition was it when you returned? - Almost all the furniture was thrown out at the windows; the windows were broke, the wainscoting was pulled down; it was broke in several different places with the iron bars.
Court. Was any of it broken down? - Some of the doors were broke down, and part of the chimney-piece, and the wainscoting very much broke.
Do you know any of the persons who were concerned in it? - No.
ANN THOMAS sworn.
I am servant to Mr. Schomberg. My master's house was broke into by several people at twelve o'clock at night. I saw both the prisoners in the back parlour.
What were they doing? - They were fitting by the child in bed.
Had either of them any thing in his hand? - Flemine had an iron bar in his hand. Flemine said to me, You bitch, see what I have brought for you! and shewed me the iron bar.
How did he hold the bar when he used that expression? - He struck it against the ground.
How long afterwards was it before they were apprehended? - I believe half an hour, by the Life-Guards.
Were they taken in the house or out of the house? - I do not know.
How many people got into the house at that time? - About twelve.
Had Morris any thing in his hand? - I cannot say he had.
When did you see them after they were apprehended? - I saw them in the park about a week after.
Did you find them out yourself or were they pointed out to you? - I found them out myself.
Are you positive they are two of the persons who were in your master's house? - I am.
Court. What did the persons who broke into the house do? - They broke the doors and the pannels of the window shutter.
What did you see the prisoner do? - I saw one of the people in the house take a fiddle and play at one of the windows.
How long after the people broke into the house was it before you saw the prisoners in the back parlour? - Directly after they broke in.
Flemine. At the justice's she said she believed I was one of the men; but she could not be certain.
When they were examined before the justice did you say you thought Flemine was the man, but you were not certain of it? - I said Flemine was the man, I was very sure of it.
AMBROSE MELARCHY sworn.
I am a chairman and bricklayer. I live at the Green-man in New Bond-street. I carry lady Archer by the week. I heard a noise; I was going up to my lady's, to put up lights for fear her windows should be broke. Coming by the fire of Mr. Schomberg's goods, I saw one of the Life-Guards come up and held his horse about two or three minutes; he went and brought these two men out of the house as he told me. I did not see him go in or come out of the house; he delivered them to us, and we took them to the Duke of Gloucester's riding-house, where they were taken care of.
FLEMINE's DEFENCE.
I had been to my brother's. As I was coming home, a little after eleven o'clock. I heard there was a fire. I went along with a good many people. When I came there the place was not on fire, but there was a fire in the street as to my doing any damage to any mortal I did not.
MORRIS's DEFENCE.
As I was coming home with my brother I I saw a great mob. I saw there was a great fire. Hearing there was a child in the house I ran in to see if I could save the child. The woman might see me there. My brother Flemine and I were taken just after. We are brothers by two fathers, but the same mother.
For the prisoners.
EDWARD BIRD sworn.
I have known Enoch Flemine between seven and eight years, and Morris about two years. I have bought a good many pounds' worth of goods of Flemine. I never heard any blemish in his character before. He is a basket-maker, he bore a good character as far as ever I heard. He has a large family; he worked hard for them. He was brought up in St. Giles's school.
JOHN PERRY sworn.
I keep a chandler's shop. I have known Flemine about seven years; I have known the other about a twelvemonth, when he came apprentice to his brother. I never heard any thing against Flemine, but that he worked hard for his family. I never heard any thing good or bad of the other.
JOHN CHILD sworn.
I am a dentist I have known Flemine two years; he is a worthy industrious man. I have known Morris some short time; I know very little of him. Flemine has a wife and four small children.
ALICE WIGGINS sworn.
I am a harp-maker's wife. I have known Flemine from his infancy. I never heard any thing bad of him till this.
Do you know the boy (Morris)? - I knew the mother before she bore him; they are both of one mother. I never heard any thing against the child or the man. Morris is about fifteen years of age.
CATHERINE FRY sworn.
I have known Flemine eight years; he is a sober, industrious, hard-working man; he always paid every one his own.
What is the character of the boy? - He was always a sober, honest boy; he was in St. Giles's school. I have known him seven years.
BOTH GUILTY ( Death)
Tried by the First Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.
(Morris was, on account of his youth, humbly recommended by the Jury to his majesty's mercy .)
