Thomas Styan Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Gunsmith

Testifies to shutting up his shop (firearms merchant) for fear that protesters would come and steal his wares.

Account

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Thomas Styan sworn: examined by Mr. Starkie.

Q. Was you a gunsmith in Manchester on 16th. August, 1819?

A. Yes, I was.

Q. Where was your shop?

A. In Market-street.

Q. That is not far from the Exchange?

A. Near at the bottom.

Q. Did you observe considerable bodies of people coming past, that morning?

A. Yes, I did.

Q. Did you keep your shop open that day as usual?

A. I shut it up at eleven o'clock.

Q. Both doors and windows?

A. Both doors and windows.

Q. Had you a considerable quantity of fire-arms in your shop?

A. A great many.

Q. Gunpowder also?

A. Yes.

Q. How long did you keep the shop closed, in the way you have described?

A. Till about three o'clock.

Q. In the afternoon?

A. In the afternoon.

Q. What was the reason of your doing this?

A. I was afraid the people would come in and take the fire-arms; my family was also afraid.

Q. And your family also was afraid, I think you say?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. Did you go out that morning?

A. No; I did not.

Q. Why did you remain at home?

A. My family was afraid, if I went out, some danger would happen there.

Q. You say you opened your doors at three o'clock in the afternoon?

A. About three.

Q. Did you see any other shops were closed at that time?

A. Several.

Q. At that time, three o'clock in the afternoon?

A. Before three o'clock they were, sir.

Q. You saw several other shops?

A. I did.

Q. You have already stated you saw a great number of people coming?

A. Yes.

Q. From the numbers and the way in which they demeaned themselves, did you apprehend any danger to the town—any general danger?

A. Yes, I did.

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