John Hemshaw Eyewitness Account

Not allowed to testify because he was a Quaker.

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John Hemshaw was called, but being a Quaker, could not be sworn. The Judge (having referred to the act) decided, that evidence in crimi­nal cases could not be received on the affirmation of a Quaker.

Mr. Hunt had thought that the testimony of a Quaker could be received on his solemn affirmation, which, if false, would expose him to a prosecu­tion for perjury. He, however, did not wish the examination of Henshaw as he could call persons who were with him to prove the facts he had been called to establish.

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