Jonah Andrew Eyewitness Account

• Occupation: Spinner

Account of demonstrator Jonah Andrew who met John Lees at Hollinwood & walked with him to Manchester. He witnessed Lees (who later died of his injuries) being cut by yeomen & beaten by constables.

Account

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Name: Jonah Andrew

Occupation: Spinner

Home: Leeds

Date: 27 September 1819

Source: Lees Inquest 57 − 67

Summary: Wrigley was with Lees at St Peter’s Field during the events and witnessed first hand the injuries inflicted on Lees by the military.
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JONAH ANDREW called in, sworn, and examined by the CORONER.

Q. What business are you?
A. I am a cotton spinner.
Q. Where do you live?
A. At Leeds.
Q. Well, what do you know of the death of John Lees?
A. I know that John Lees was at Manchester on the 16th, and I was with him at the time on the field.
Q. What field?
A. I mean Peter's-field; the place where the deed was done.
Q. Were you with him when the soldiers came?
A. Yes, when they came, he departed from me about ten yards.
Q. Did you see him cut?
A. Yes, in ten minutes after he left me I saw the soldiers sur¬round him, and a Yeoman Cavalry-man cutting at him with great vengeance.
Q. Did you see him receive any wounds?
A. Yes; I saw him receive a cut on his arm, and the blood gushed from it.
Q. What became of him after he was wounded?
A. He fled to the hustings, and ran under them.
Q. Did you see any thing more done to him?
A. Yes; I saw several constables round him, and beating him with their truncheons severely. One of them picked up a staff of a banner that had been cut with a sword, and said, “Damn your bloody eyes, I'll break your back;" and they struck at him for a considerable time with their truncheons and the staff of the banner.
Q. Did you remain in that place after that?
A. No; I departed.
Q. Did you see him again on the field?
A. No; I saw nothing more of him 'till after the meeting was dispersed.
Q. What time was it when you next saw him?
A. It was betwixt two and three o'clock the same afternoon.
Q. Did any thing pass then?
A. Yes; he said, "I have been dangerously hurt, Andrew, which has affected my body very much."
Q. Did he say any thing more?
A. Yes, he said, “I must return home, for I am getting very sick and very poorly, which I think will be the occasion of my death."
Q. At what time did you get to Manchester?
A. I can't justly tell; I looked at no clock.
Q. Did you go with a body?
A. Yes; I went with a great number of people.
Q. What number?
A. There were so many, that I can't pretend to judge how many.
Q. Did you know any of them?
A. Yes; I knew some".
Q. Did you go from Oldham with the deceased?
A. No; I met with him at Hollingswood [sic: Hollinwood], and went in the same company to Deansgate, in Manchester; and we then se¬parated.
Q. Were you on the ground with the deceased before Mr. Hunt came?
A. I was.
Q. How long before?
A. I can't say for a certainty; but to the best of my knowledge it was about an hour before.
Q. Where did you next meet with the deceased, after parting with him at Deansgate?
A. We fell in company together just beside the hustings while they were erecting.
Q. Did you get on the hustings as speakers or spectators?
A. We got on them to see the people.
Q. Did you assist in erecting them?
A. I helped to put up the hustings.
Q. Where was John Lees?
A. He was on the planks.
Q. Were you on the hustings while Mr. Hunt was speaking?
A. No; I was not; I went off a little before Mr. Hunt came to the hustings, and then John Lees departed from me, about ten minutes afterwards.
Q. Did you get off together?
A. I cannot tell.
Q. Had the Cavalry come up then?
A. No; they had not.
Q. When the Cavalry came, how far were you from the de¬ceased?
A. I was about three or four yards from him.
Q. Are you sure you were not a greater distance from him?
A. Yes; I was not so much as ten yards from him when the Cavalry came up.
Q. And could you see him distinctly?
A. Yes; the ground where we stood was so clear that I could see him, and I did see him.
Q. Where did you first see the military?
A. Where I first saw a soldier was beside St. Peter's chapel.

Q. What soldiers did you see there?
A. The Yeomanry Cavalry, and they came from there to where I was.
Q. How far was that from where you stood?
A. About eighty or one hundred yards.
Q. How long was it after you got off the hustings 'till the sol¬diers came up?
A. About ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.
Q. Did you see them set off and come to where you were?
A. Yes.
Q. At what pace did they come?
A. I think it was a trot. It was as fast as they could get, and the constables were making way for them.
Q. Did you see them striking any one?
A. Yes; I saw them striking as they came along, and they struck one person when they were about twenty yards from me.
Q. How many were there abreast as they came up?
A. Two abreast, to the best of my knowledge.
Q. Did they remain so until they came up to you?
A. No; they squandered to the right and left before they came to me, about seven or eight yards from me, when the first of them turned to the right and to the left.
Q. Well; what then?
A. Why they began to cut and hack at the people like butchers.
Q. Did you hear them say any thing before they struck?
A. I did not; they came all round me, but they said nothing to any one that I heard.
Q. Did you not hear the soldiers say something to the people?
A. No; I did not hear them speak to any one.
Q. Were there any soldiers near the hustings when John Lees was cut?
A. Yes; they were all round the hustings at that time.
Q. Did you see the deceased get off the hustings?
A. No; I did not.
Q. How far from the hustings was he when they attacked him?
A. I think the Yeomanry were at him about ten or fifteen yards from there.
Q. Can you swear he was not cut on the hustings?
A. No; I cannot, but I swear that no soldier had come up when I saw him off the hustings—I saw him off before the soldiers came up.
Q. How long had Mr. Hunt been on the hustings before the soldiers came?
A. About ten or fifteen minutes, but I can't say to a minute.
Q. What soldiers came up first?
A. The Yeomanry Cavalry.
Q. How were they dressed?
A. They had on blue clothes, and white facings.
Q. Did any other soldiers come up with them?
A. I saw no others at that time.

Q. How were the Hussars dressed?
A. In blue clothes with yellow facings.
Q. How soon after the Yeomanry had come up did you see the Hussars?
A. I can't say how soon after; it was a little after; perhaps fifteen minutes after I had seen the others.
Q. How far from the hustings was the first Hussar you saw?
A. About twenty yards from the hustings, I first saw them on Deansgate side.
Q. Was Mr. Hunt on the stage at that time?
A. No; he had been on, but he had been taken off then.
Q. Did you see him taken off in custody?
A. No; I did not.
Q. How long was it before you again saw John Lees?
A. It might be an hour, or between that and two hours after that I saw him.
Q. When did you hear that Mr. Hunt was taken into custody?
A. I did not know or hear any thing of it till about fifteen minutes after the field was cleared.
Q. Where were you when you heard it?
A. I was then at Shude-hill-pits opposite the Infirmary; the Cavalry were then coming that way from St. Peter's-field; I stood opposite the White Bear when I saw them at the Infirmary gates.
Q. At what pace were they coming? Was it a gallop?
A. No; they were not.
Q. Were any persons on the field when you left?
A. None but soldiers.
Q. What soldiers were those you saw at the Infirmary?
A. Yeomanry.
Q. Did you run or walk away from the field?
A. I walked away at my leisure.
Q. Where had you last seen the Yeomanry before you saw them at the Infirmary?
A. At St. Peter's-field.
Q. Did you not see constables on the ground?
A. Yes; I did see “Nadin's Runners," as they call them, at the hustings, and special constables: they were lining along from the place where I stood to St. Peter's Chapel.
Q. When did you see the constables?
A. I saw them after the soldiers came.
Q. Who advised you to come here?
A. Abraham Taylor warned me to come.
Q. Who told you what to say?
A. Nobody.
Q. Have you ever been in the army?
A. Yes; I was a soldier in the 91st.
Q. How came you to quit the service?
A. I was discharged in May last.
Q. Are you a native of Manchester?
A. No; I am a Leeds man.

Q. Did you mention what you had seen, to any one?
A. Yes; I told it to my neighbours first, and to people on the road as I was going home.
Q. Did you see the constables doing any thing on the field, or about the hustings?
A. No; nothing more than I have already told you.
Q. Do you know Nadin.
A. No; nor I don't want to know any such man.
Q. I believe not; he is not much liked by such as you. Did you see any constables take Mr. Hunt off the hustings?
A. No, I did not.
Q. Do you know the names of those who struck John Lees with their truncheons?
A. No, I do not; I never saw them before, to my knowledge, or since.
Q. Can you tell how they were dressed?
A. No; I did not take particular notice what dress they had on.
Q. What number did you see striking him?
A. About seven were beating him.
Q. Had they all truncheons?
A. I saw six with truncheons, and one had a piece of a staff of a banner or flag.
Q. What was the thickness of it?
A. It was about the thickness of a man's wrist.
Q. What length was it?
A. I don't know; I saw about four feet out of his hand.
Q. How much was the rest?
A. I can't tell, for I did not see it.
Q. You can give a guess?
A. No, I can't, as I did not see only the upper part.
Q. Did you see him strike with it?
A. Yes.
Q. And yet you can't tell the length?
A. I tell what I thought the length of the part I saw.
Q. How often did he strike?
A. He struck often, but I can't exactly say how often.
Q. Are you sure he struck more than once?
A. Yes; I am sure he struck him twice.
Q. Were you standing with your face towards him?
A. No; but I turned my head.
Q. If you were not with your face towards him, how could you see what was doing to him?
A. Why, a man can turn his head round, you know.
Q. How far from him were you?
A. About ten yards off.
Q. How long were they beating him?
A. A considerable time.
Q. What do you call a considerable time?
A. Three or four minutes I call a considerable time when a man is being beat; but I can't say exactly how long they were peeling him.

Q. Did you hear those who were striking him say any thing?
A. Yes; one man swore he would break his back.
Q. Had this man any uniform on?
A. No, he had not.
Q. How far were the soldiers from John Lees at the time these men were striking him?
A. About four yards distant.
Q. Were they Yeomanry?
A. I can't say whether they were or not.
Q. Of what were the hustings formed?
A. Two carts, with planks across.
Q. What was the thickness of the planks?
A. I can't say.
Q. What was the height of the stage from the ground?
A. I can't tell, I did not measure it.
Q. That's only trifling with me; I must have it out. You said you assisted in putting up the hustings?
A. So I did; it was made of two carts, one behind the other, and planks put across them both.
Q. And yet you cannot tell the height of the carts?
A. No; I cannot. I never worked among carts.
Q. And can you not say what thickness the planks were?
A. I don't know, perhaps they might be 3 or 4 inches thick.
Q. What carts were they?
A. They were common carts, but I don't know what they were used for.
Q. Well; the Jury will form their opinion of that. I think you said the staff had been cut; how do you know that?
A. Because I saw a Yeoman cut it.
Q. How do you know the staff was the same you saw cut?
A. I saw the man pick it up about a minute afterwards.
Q. What sort of staff was it? was it coloured?
A. Yes; it was green.
Q. Did you see any thing in John Lees hand after he came off the hustings?
A. I did not see any thing.
Q. How far was the staff cut from the hustings?
A. It was about four or five yards from the stage when I saw it cut.
Q. Were not the soldiers going quietly about the hustings dis¬persing the people?
A. No; they were galloping about and cutting every one that came in their way.
Q. How do you know it was John Lees whom you saw cut?
A. Because I have known him from his infancy, and I turned my head round and saw him.
Q. Can you swear to any other man you saw cut?
A. No; I cannot.
Q. Were you hurt?
A. No; I was not.

Q. "Did you see any others beside the man in question injured?
A. Yes; I saw a man and woman lying bleeding on the ground, after John Lees was cut.
Q. What wits your motive in coming to the Meeting?
A. I came from Leeds to see the crowd, and hear what was said, the same as other people did.
Q. You were the leader of some party?
A. No, I was not; I knew no leader. I was the same as any other man.
Q. Did you not give directions to the people?
A. No, I did not. I only told them to keep their tongues quiet.
Q. How many persons came along with you?
A. I can't tell; but there were a great many.
Q. What coloured clothes had Lees on?
A. He had a dark brown coloured coat, but I did not take notice, particularly, what other clothes he had on.
Q. Where was Lees when he first told you?,
A. I don't recollect; but I remember I said it was a bad job.
Q. Were you ever examined concerning this business before this?
A. No, I never was examined 'till now.
Q. Has no one inquired of you about it before you came into the room now, or asked any questions concerning this?
A. No.
Q. Were you never here till to day?
A. Yes; I was in this house on Saturday, but not in this room.
Q. Who advised you to come here?
A. Abraham Taylor.
Q. What is he?
A. He is a yeld knitter.
Q. How did he know you could say any thing about the busi¬ness?
A. I suppose he heard that I had told people I was there.
Q. Did you hear the Riot Act read?
A. No.
Q. Did you not hear something read, or notice given to disperse before the soldiers came?
A. No.
Q. What notice was there then?
A. All the notice I saw, was driving people off with the edge of the sword.
Q. Did you see any Magistrates or Peace Officers coming to¬wards the stage with the soldiers?
A. I saw none that I know.
Q. Although you might not know them, did you not see some acting as such?
A. No, I did not.
Q. Did you see any stone thrown, or attack made in any way upon the soldiers?

A. No; I saw no person do any thing to the soldiers before they cut.
Q. Did you not see a stone thrown, or hear a pistol fired?
A. No, I did not.
Q. Do you mean to say the people were peaceable and quiet?
A. They were, until the soldiers cut and dispersed them.
Q. Was there no noise?
A. None, except cheering.
Q. Who was it that cheered?
A. The multitude.
Q. What did they cheer for?
A. I cheered because I saw Hunt. I can't tell what others cheered for.
Q. Do you know any individual who cheered?
A. No; the cheers came from the multitude.
Q. After the soldiers came up to the stage, how long was it before the field was cleared?
A. I can't say; I did not look at any clock.
Q. Did the people get away quick?
A. They appeared to do so to save their lives.
Q. Was there any report of fire-arms before you left the field?
A. I heard none.
Q. Did you see any others hurt beside those you have men¬tioned?
A. Yes; I saw plenty carried to the Infirmary that same day.
Q. What do you call plenty; was it one or half a dozen?
A. I don't call one, nor half a dozen, plenty.
Q. How soon after did you see the people taken to the Infir¬mary?
A. An hour or two after, I believe.
The Coroner (to the Jury)—Do you wish to ask any thing of the witness?
A Juror (to the Witness)—Where did you see Lees after he was wounded?
A. I saw him lying on the ground.

The Witness examined by Mr. HARMER.

Q. Were there many persons going to the meeting with you?
A. Yes, I went with a great multitude.
Q. Did they proceed to the place of meeting in a peaceable and orderly manner?
A. They did.
Q. Were they all quiet and peaceable after their arrival at St. Peter's-field?
A. They were.
Q. Had you any intention to create a riot, or make any dis¬turbance?
A. No, I went peaceably and quietly.

Q. Did the persons who accompanied you, seem quietly dis¬posed, and to have the same peaceable disposition as yourself?
A. Yes, they did.
Q. How long were you on the ground before Mr. Hunt came?
A. About an hour.
Q. During that hour, was there any disturbance, or indication of riot?
A. None at all; every thing was peaceable and quiet.
Q. How did the deceased conduct himself?
A. From what I saw, he behaved peaceably and quietly.
Q. Had there been any noise, riot, or tumult, till the soldiers came?
A. No; the first disturbance was by the soldiers; everything had been peaceable and orderly till then.
Q. Did the persons who beat Lees with their truncheons come with the soldiers i
A. I can't say.
Q. Did you see any persons with truncheons before the soldiers came?
A. Yes; I saw some scattered near St. Peter's Chapel.
Q. Did you take any notice of the house in which the Magistrates were?
A. No, I did not.
Q. Did you see any women?
A. Yes, I saw a young woman in Mr. Hunt's carriage after he was gone.
Q. At what part of the ground was this?
A. It was nigh where the deceased was wounded.
Q. Did the people make any resistance when the soldiers came?
A. No; every one sought to get away, and never made any re¬sistance.
Q. Did you see any one armed?
A. No, I saw no appearance of arms whatever.
Q. Were you armed?
A. I had only a walking stick.
Q. It has been imputed to you, that you were guilty of inhuma¬nity in leaving Lees to his fate: now could you, as an unarmed man, have afforded him protection against his armed assailants?
A. No.
Q. Then, was that your reason for leaving him?
A. Yes; I was glad to escape myself.
Q. Then, I presume, you considered your life in danger; did you not?
A. Yes, I did; and think I am fortunate in escaping unwounded.
Q. Before the soldiers came, was the crowd very great?
A. Yes, very great.
Q. When Mr. Hunt was speaking, I suppose the people pressed very close to the hustings, to see and to hear him?
A. Yes, they were very closely pressed together
Q. Then, I would ask you, if, when the soldiers came, the people could have stooped to take stones from the ground, or have wielded their arms to throw any thing, or to strike a blow, even had they been so inclined?
A. No, they could not.
Q. Was not the pressure so great, and the throng so thick, that it was almost impossible for the people to move their arms?
A. I think they could not.
Q. When Mr. Hunt came, you and the multitude cheered him?
A. Yes.
Q. Did the multitude cheer when the soldiers came?
A. Yes.
Q. Were the cheers given in the same friendly and good-humour¬ed manner to both?
A. Yes, they cheered three huzzas, the same as to Mr. Hunt.
Q. Were there not many lads and women among the crowd?
A. Yes, there were.
Q. Where they armed?
A. No, they were not.
Q. Were not the females, in general, decently dressed?
A. Yes, most of them were very decently dressed.
Q. Did you hear any thing mentioned, or see any thing done, to excite the people to disturb the peace?
A. Nothing, Sir.
Q. Was there, in fact, any disturbance created by them?
A. No, there was not.
Mr. Harmer— (to the Coroner)—I have no further questions to ask.

The Witness re-examined by the CORONER.

Q. After the soldiers came, could not the people move their arms?
A. I can't say they could not; I can't speak against my con¬science.
Q. Who was in Mr. Hunt's carriage?
A. I can't say.
Q. Did you take notice of any women in it?
A. Yes, I took notice of one.
Q. Did you see any woman in Mr. Hunt's carriage when it came to the hustings?
A. Yes, I saw one.
Q. Did you see any woman in the carriage afterwards?
A. Yes, I saw a young woman alone in the carriage after¬wards.
Q. Was the one you saw coming in the carriage, the same you saw afterwards?
A. I can't tell.
Q. Was there no man in the carriage?
A. I saw no one to my knowledge.
Q. How near were you to the carriage when the soldiers came?

A. I was close to it; I was within a yard of it.
Q. You said you took particular notice of one woman who came in the carriage?
A. Yes.
Q. And yet you can't tell whether it was the same woman you afterwards saw in the carriage?
A. No, I cannot.
Q. What was the colour of her dress?
A. I cannot tell; but she was well dressed.
Q. Should you know her again?
A. I don't know that I should.
Q. What size was she?
A. She was in the middling way.
Q. Was she fat or lean?
A. I did not take notice.
Q. Was she young or old?
A. I can't tell.
Q. Are you sure you can't tell that?
A. I speak the truth; and I cannot tell whether she was young or old, because I took no notice of that.
Q. Well, that must go to your credit. Do you know what be¬came of her?
A. No; the last time I saw her was in the carriage.
Q. When did you last see her?
A. I saw her when the soldiers came, and a little after.
Q. Did you see the carriage empty?
A. I can't say.
Q. Was she in the carriage when you left the field?
A. I don't know.

[Witness withdrew.]

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