Nicholas, William Thompsett | Day 12

Given £30 to distribute along with Robert Erridge from Charles Evans. His share of £18 was distributed amongst 6 people. He received a further £6 for canvassing plus £5 for a committee room from Samuel Olds.


Witness Type: Briber, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper

Party: Conservative


Witness Testimony:

  • 15085.

    (Mr. Holl.) What are you ? — A publican. 

  • 15086.

    What house do you keep ? — The “Life Boat”, at North End. 

  • 15087.

    What did you receive ? — 18L. from Mr. Evans. 

  • 15088.

    Have you been called before ? — No, I was summoned for the 12th, but I was at sea. 

  • 15089.

    Did you get your summons on the 12th ? — No, I was to have been here on the 12th, but I was at sea. 

  • 15090.

    And you received 18L. from Mr. Evans ? — Yes. 

  • 15091.

    What is Mr. Evan’s Christian name ? — I do not know his Christian name — Charles, I think. 

  • 15092.

    Was that to distribute among voters ? — Yes. 

  • 15093.

    Where does Mr. Evans live ? — Farrier Street. 

  • 15094.

    Did you distribute that 18L. to different people ? —Yes. 

  • 15095.

    To how many ? — Six. 

  • 15096.

    Have you got a list of them ? — Yes (handing same).

  • 15097.

    You gave these men mentioned in this list 3L. each ? — Yes. 

  • 15098.

    Did you receive anything more ? — Yes. 

  • 15099.

    What was that for ? — 6L. for canvassing. 

  • 15100.

    Who was that from ? — From Mr. Olds. 

  • 15101.

    Did you do any canvassing, or much canvassing ? — Yes, I did. 

  • 15102.

    How long did you canvass ? — About three weeks. 

  • 15103.

    About how many people did you see, should you think ? — I cannot say how many.’ 

  • 15104.

    A dozen ? — More than that, I daresay. 

  • 15105.

    Twenty people ? — More than 20, I daresay. 

  • 15106.

    Thirty people ? — More than 30 — 30 perhaps. 

  • 15107.

    That did not take you a great deal of time; they were all round about you ? — No; you can see by my list some of them were not round about where I live. 

  • 15108.

    It was to get your interest on the Conservative side, and to vote on the Conservative side, was it not ? —  To be sure it was  — to do the best I could for them. 

  • 15109.

    It was partly for canvassing and partly for your vote ? — No, I did not have anything for my vote; that was for canvassing. 

  • 15110.

    Are you sure it was Charles Evans, of Farrier Street, that you got this 18L. from ? — Yes. 

  • 15111.

    What is he ? — I do not know ; a gentleman, as far as I know. 

  • 15112.

    Is he a private individual, or has he a shop, or anything of that kind ? — He did at one time ; he had a public-house, I believe. 

  • 15113.

    Do you know the number in Farrier Street where he lives ? — No, I do not. 

  • 15114.

    s that all the money you had ? — I had 5L. for a COMMITTEE ROOM.