Coleman, Benjamin Longden | Day 2

Farmer & Market Gardener Employing 22 Men 13 Boys (240 Acres)

Applied to Mr Emmerson to manage election. Received two sums of £40 and £50. The first was to engage Public Houses.


Witness Type: Briber, Treater

Party: Liberal


Witness Testimony:

  • 1090.

    Where does he live ? — Somewhere near here; Monegham, I believe. He was a householder at Sandwich and he is still on the list ; he was a non-resident here ; he was away at the time.

  • 1091.

    R. H. Bright, 4L. ? — He lives at Sandwich.

  • 1092.

    Thomas Wanstall, 5L. ? — The same.

  • 1093.

    Sandwich ? — Yes.

  • 1094.

    John Castle, 4L. ? — The same.

  • 1095.

    We should like to know the streets if you can tell us. Where does Bright live ? — Fisher Street.

  • 1096.

    Wanstall ? — The same.

  • 1097.

    Castle ? — Vicarage Lane.

  • 1098.

    Robert Ferrier, 1L. ? — St. Peter Street.

  • 1099.

    J. A. Spicer, 2L. ? — Church Street, St. Mary.

  • 1100.

    Then there is a sum of 14L., which appears to have been distributed between William Piddock, Robert Baily, Zachariah Burton, J. Drayson, and R. Smith ? — Yes

  • 1101.

    And there is a note you have put to it, “Journey to island to fetch Baily, canvassing, and polling as under.” Just explain that ? — Mr. Piddock; you see his name coupled with those — employed or had employed all those men. Baily had left him, and had a situation somewhere in the island. I could not get his address and I employed Piddock to fetch him. He put his horse in the van and went to fetch him early in the morning with the other names to vote. I employed Piddock.

  • 1102.

    And Piddock employed these four men ? — Those men had been or were in Piddock’s employ. Baily was not then in Piddock’s employ, but he knew his address and he went to fetch the men.

  • 1103.

    What became of Burton, Drayson, and Smith ? — They were in the town somewhere.

  • 1104.

    You gave them the 14L. ? — I gave Piddock the 14L.

  • 1105.

    To distribute amongst them ? — Yes.

  • 1106.

    When this 4L and these different sums were paid to these men, what was said to them about their vote ? — Some of them came to me and said they would vote provided I would give them that amount.

  • 1107.

    Vote for Sir Julian Goldsmid ? — Yes, provided I gave them that amount.

  • 1108.

    And you gave it to them ? — I gave it to them.

  • 1109.

    As to the addresses of Piddock, Baily, Burton, Drayson, and Smith, are they all Sandwich men ? — Baily is not a Sandwich man.

  • 1110.

    Where is he ? — I cannot say, but I could find out.

  • 1111.

    Is Piddock a Sandwich man ? — Yes.

  • 1112.

    Where does he live ? — Cattle Market on the register ; you will find him at Moat Sole now.

  • 1113.

    Burton, where does he live ? — Milwall Place ; that would find him. I think he has moved from there,

  • 1114.

    Drayson ? Moat Sole again.

  • 1115.

    Smith ? — King Street.

  • 1116.

    Then we come to Chaney Harrison, 1L, ? — He is employed in a brewery at Sandwich.

  • 1117.

    Where does he live ? — I think Church Street, St. Mary, but I am not positive as to that.

  • 1118.

    Then J. Easter, 1L. ? — I do not know him, but I expect he lives at St. Peter Street,

  • 1119.

    Then we come to William Deverson, 4L ? — Eastry, near Sandwich.