Nancy Prestwich Eyewitness Account

• Place: Mossley,Tameside
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Widow

Led a procession of women from Mossley to SPF.

Account

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Nancy Prestwich is mother-in-law to the last witness. (John Hullet  states she is his Mother) Moseley is ten miles from Manchester. Was at Manchester on the 16th of August. Is now 65 years of age. Walked all the way to Manchester. Her son and son's wife were with her. Saw about a dozen of her townswomen at Manchester. —Moseley is not a very large place; there were many other women there. After getting some relief she walked towards Mr. Johnson's cottage, in order to join the procession. They placed her, as being the oldest, in front of two hundred or three hundred women. After passing some streets, which she did not know, they reached St. Peter's Field. Be­lieves the way they took was the shortest. Does not know Moseley Street. When she reached the ground she again got relief (refreshment), and Mr. Hunt soon came in his carriage. Went to have a gill of beer, and upon her return, found the Cavalry men upon the ground. She turned back upon seeing them. Her sight was good enough to see them, but she could not say whether any resistance was offered.

Mr. Hunt—Did you, or the two hundred women attempt to take these cavalry men prisoners?

Witness. No; we went upon peace. We cheered Mr. Hunt to be sure I heard the people cheer the soldiers also, but I did not join in them, for I did not know what it was for. I did not hiss or groan them. I often go to Manchester; there was nothing in the appearance of it that day to make me think the people were alarmed. I certainly would not have gone to |he meeting if I expected any riot or tumult.

Mr. Scarlett objected to this evidence. —He submitted that if persons, coming into the town felt no alarm, it did not follow that the inhabitants should not feel any. From the evidence already offered, he acquitted Mr. Hunt of the intention to intimidate, but if intimidation was not used, the thing was still the same.

Justice Bayley- Then Mr. Scarlett, you have not stated your object?

Mr. Hunt said, it was not handsome in the Counsel for the Crown now after four days, to object to this evidence.

Justice Bayley said, after all, the question for the jury would be, whether or not there was alarm felt. He thought, therefore, that evidence could be received upon that head.

The question was, therefore, repeated, and the witness answered that she had not felt, nor did she meet any one who felt the smallest alarm.

Cross-examined by Sergeant Cross, —I don't know who formed the wo­men, but I was placed at the head. There was no man there, all women. I did not receive orders from the great man, but I went to see how he went on. Our party had no flag.

By Mr. Hunt-—You did not, carry a sword or a musket?

Witness. —-No. I went with a good intention.

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