Issac Dobson Eyewitness Account

• Place: Bolton
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Machine Maker

Saw 150-200 people drilling at Cockey Moor on the 7th of August.

Account

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Isaac Dobson sworn: examined by Mr. Littledale.

Q. What are you?

A. A machine-maker.

Q. Where do you live?

A. At Bolton.

Q. Do you remember, at any time, going to Cockey Moor?

A. Yes.

Q. How far is Cockey Moor from Bolton?

A. Five miles.

Q. How far from Bury?

A. About two.

Q. Did any body go with you there?

A. One person.

Q. When you got there, where did you go to?

A. To Mr. Whitehead's.

Q. Did you find any other person there?

A. I found others at Mr. Whitehead's house.

Q. Do you remember what day?

A. The 7th. of August.

Q. On a Saturday?

A. On a Saturday.

Q. What time did you get there?

A. About six o'clock.

Q. In the evening?

A. In the evening.

Q. When you got there, did you see any other persons besides those at the house?

A. I did; at a distance.

Q. How many; as far as you can judge?

A. I should judge a hundred and fifty or two hundred.

Q. What were they doing?

A. When I first observed, there were a number of people coming in various directions, in various bodies.

Q. When they had met in a body, what did they do then— what were they doing?

A. They afterwards divided into separate bodies, and formed into line—in different lines.

Q. What then?

A. They began to march in different directions.

Q. Did you hear words of command given?

A. I did; many.

Q. What were they?

A. “March,” “halt,” “right about face,” “stand at ease,” and such words as are generally used by soldiers, when drilling recruits.

Q. Did the persons obey these words of command?

A. They did; and I thought they were very correct.

Q. How long did they continue?

A. Till it was dark; till I could not see them.

Q. How long would that be, according to your judgment?

A. I should think near ten o'clock.

Q. Do you know what became of them afterwards?

A. I do not know what became of them afterwards.

Q Did you and your friend leave Mr. Whitehead's?

A. We did, and went over the ground; they were gone; it was nearly dark.

Q. You went home?

A. No; we went back to Mr. Whitehead's.

Cross-examined by Mr. Evans.

Q. Where were you concealed?

A. In Mr. Whitehead's house.

Q. Had that house a full view?

A. Quite; we could see the ground where they were drilling.

Q. They began about half past six, and were gone by ten?

A. Thereabouts; near seven.

Q. Did you steal into the house in any way?

A. No; I went openly.

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