Wood, Benjamin | Day 7

Farmer Of 46 Acres Employing 8 Men Married to Jane E Wood

Received £6 for canvassing from Samuel Olds plus £81 to distribute amongst 27 people from Edwin Hughes. Matthews mentioned in testimony. Assumed to be Hughes although some payments on Hughes’ behalf were made by his clerk, William Godfrey Thomas.

Witness Type: Briber, No Indemnity

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 6599.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — A farmer at Middle Deal. 

  • 6600.

    Did you receive any money at this election ? — Yes, I received two or three sums. 

  • 6601.

    From whom ? — I received some from Mr. Hughes, and some from Mr. Olds, or from Mr. Thomas for Mr. Hughes. 

  • 6602.

    Tell us how much you received from each ? — From Mr. Matthews I received something over 80L as near as I can get at it. I have destroyed the papers, but it was over 80L. that I spent in direct bribery. 

  • 6603.

    How much was it that you got from Mr. Hughes or Mr. Thomas ? — I cannot say ; the account was filed in the election accounts, and you will find it shown as I received the money. 

  • 6604.

    As to the 80L. you say that was spent in direct bribery ? — Yes. 

  • 6605.

    Have you any list of the persons’ names whom you distributed it amongst ?  — Yes (handing a paper). I have included it all in Upper Deal, because really there is no address of anybody in Upper Deal except those living in Kent Terrace, or Pope Sole. 

  • 6606.

    I see there are 27 of them ? — Yes. 

  • 6607.

    How did you divide it amongst them ? — All at equal sums of 3L. 

  • 6608.

    That is 81L ? — Yes, it was a trifle over 80L. I have been carefully through the register, and I cannot find any more. 

  • 6609.

    When did you give it to them ? — Either the day of the election, or the evening previous, or the day after ; but mostly all upon the morning of the election, between four and five in the morning. 

  • 6610.

    Did they promise their votes ? — A good many of them did ; it was implied that they should have the same as the others whatever it was, 2L. or 3L.

  • 6611.

    Had you spoken to them about their votes before you distributed the 81L, ? — Yes ; a great many of them had promised me. 

  • 6612.

    Did each of them take it on account of his vote ? — Yes ; each one that had 3L. took it on account of his vote, decidedly. 

  • 6613.

    As to the other sum you say you cannot tell me exactly what it was ? — You have the account. 

  • 6614.

    9L. 2s. 6d. I see ? — Yes, it was something like that I had charge of the Upper Deal district, and that was the account of the district. 

  • 6615.

    Is that (handing a paper) your account ? — Yes. 

  • 6616.

    And that shows how you spent that 9L. 2s. 6d., boys carrying boards, and so on ?  — Yes. 

  • 6617.

    Was this work done, to your knowledge, for which you sent in the bill ? — Yes, decidedly it was ; I was there the whole time it was being done. I may say that those people who are mentioned there were not voters. 

  • 6618.

    Did you receive any other money ? — Yes, I received 6L. 

  • 6619.

    For yourself ? — I had it for myself, but unfortunately I spent it — I found I could not keep it. 

  • 6620.

    Was it for canvassing ? — I spent it mostly in canvassing, and I gave another man a sovereign in Upper Deal, he was no voter, but still he had influence up there, and I gave him a sovereign to do a little talking. 

  • 6621.

    You gave it to him so that he might influence voters ? — Yes.