Mary Lees Eyewitness Account

• Place: Middleton,Rochdale
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Barmaid

Not alarmed by procession to SPF.

Account

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Mary Lees said, she resided at Middleton, and had five children. Her husband was a plumber and glazier and recollected the procession passing her house on the 16th of August. She was then standing with her children at the door, and was afterwards assisting the mistress of a public-house opposite in filling liquor for a great many who called as they passed. They all seemed quiet and cheerful. They paid for what they got. These people came from Rochdale, with a great number of women, both young and old, I heard them drink several toasts, and among the rest, ”God save the King”, which though not a common toast, is made use of by the country people I saw many of the people return in the evening, when I was again called upon to assist at the public house. Many of them burst into tears, and others remained silent.

Cross-examined— "God save the King” was not a common toast “Hunt for ever” was often heard; but she did not know whether this was good or bad.

In answer to questions from the Court, she said she saw Middleton women go with the procession, and return back again in the evening, she did not known whether they were relatives of the men who went, but they (the women) were persons of good character.

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