William Cheetham Eyewitness Account

• Place: Bolton
• Role: Injured
• Occupation: Weaver

Was at St Peter’s Field, saw the yeomanry strike people with their swords, and was struck himself by a trumpeter.

Account

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William Cheetham sworn: examined by Mr. Evans.
Q. You are a weaver at Little Bolton?
A. Yes.
Q. Was you at Manchester on the: 16th. August?
A. I was.
Q. At the meeting?
A. Yes.
Q. In whose company did you go from Bolton?
A. Of one man of the name of Tannow.
Q. At what part of the field was you?
A. The lower part of the hustings, the side towards the New Bailey.
Q. What street is it towards?
A. Towards St. Peter-street.
Mr. Blackburne.—That is the opposite side of Windmill-street.
Q. What did the meeting consist of?
A. Men, women and children.
Q. What proportions of each?
A. A great proportion of each.
Q. Was the meeting peaceable and quiet?
A. Very, as far as I saw.
Q. Were the people armed in any manner?
A. No.
Q. Did you see the yeomanry cavalry come into the field?
A. I saw them just as they got up to the hustings not before?
Q. Did you see them do any thing?
A. Yes, I saw them strike the people with their swords.
Mr, Serjeant Hullock—Does your Lordship think this is evidence? not one of these defendants is shewn to have been upon the spot.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—It may probably be evidence by way of anticipation; but the correct way certainly would be, in the first place, to prove the trespass as laid in the declaration.
Mr. Serjeant Hullock.—I am aware of their object, which is to create a prejudice. I submit that they must prove that the defendants were present; I do not even know to what time of the day the evidence refers: if they first prove the trespass, we shall have some in light to the subject.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—The proof of the trespass certainly should be introductory to the other evidence: because, then, we shall be able to judge what was evidence and what was not.
Mr. Serjeant Hullock.—I feel no anxiety but for the regularity of the proceedings.
Mr. Evans.—I submit we have a right to marshal our case as we please.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—There is one plea of not guilty: therefore the first thing is to prove the trespass; for if that is not proved, all the rest of the proof is unnecessary.
Mr. Evans.—There is a decision which shews we may go into the whole of our case.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—-If a question arises about the evidence, it may be necessary to go on in the regular way.
Q. What happened to you?
A. I was severely cut.
Q. By whom?
A. By a trumpeter.
Mr. Evans.—He is one of the defendants.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—The present action is for a compensation in damages. What was done to this person, except as far as it may go to the other issues, is not evidence.
Mr. Serjeant Hullock.—In strict regularity, they ought to prove the trespass first. There is no use in going into this evidence, except they prove the trespass; it can only tend to produce an unjust prejudice. I must beg, after this, that my friend will proceed in the regular way.
Q. What became of you after you was wounded?
A. I went, and was dressed by a surgeon of the name of Hanson.
Q. Did you see any stones thrown at the military?
A. No.
Q. Did you see any resistance made to them whatever?
A. Not in the least.

Cross-examined by Mr. Littledale.
Q. You live at Little Bolton?
A. Yes.
Q. You are a weaver there?
A. Yes.
Q. Was you ever at any of the drills at Cockey Moor?
A. I never heard there were any.
Q. Was you never at any meeting at Cockey Moor?
A. No.

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