Lucy Morville Eyewitness Account

Brought two children with her in the procession to SPF. Heard a constable say ‘he should like to kick up the start just now’.

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Lucy Morville, examined by Mr. Bamford. —Was a widow; went to Manchester on the  16th of August, with perhaps about twenty other women; walked by the side of the procession part of the way. Had three children; one girl that was married, and two boys that live with her. Her boys, one nine, and the other twelve years of age, went not with her, but on before her. She overtook the younger, took him by the hand, and went forward; afterwards did the same by the other. She went on, and waited on the road till Mr. Hunt came from Smedley Cottage. She went by a near way to St. Peter’s Field with her children. Did not offer to get very nigh to the hustings, on account of the two boys. Stood by the side of a body men that were formed in a line. These were sworn in constables, whom she was not allowed to pass. She stood there till Mr. Hunt came on the ground. A man in black clothes rode off from the body of the people. When he went off, the constables looked one at another and smiled, and one said, “he should like to kick up the start just now.”

By the Judge. Did not see two men attempt to force their way through the crowd. Took the expression—”Kick up the start,”— to mean that something was to be done to the crowd. I did not know that these words were heard by others. Witness asked him (the constable),”who it was that liked to kick up the start?” Saw nobody likely to do it unless it was some of them. She saw a minute after the same man (in black) come back with the same speed with which he rode away. As he came, the cavalry were coming behind. She then made the best of her way off with the children. She then thought that there was some danger. Saw no stones or brickbats thrown as they (the yeomanry) came on the ground. Did not see them pass through the crowd.

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