Wesley Corpus

7. On the 19th of June, James Yeoman, of Walsal, saw Mary Bird in her father's house at Wednesbury, and swore, “By G--, you are there now; but we will kill you to-mor row.” Accordingly, he came with a mob the next day; and after they had broken all the windows, he took up a stone, and said, “Now, by God, I will kill you.” He threw it, and struck her on the side of the head. The blood gushed out, and she dropped down immediately. Another of them took Mr. Hands, of Wednesbury, by the throat, swore he would be the death of him, gave him a great swing round, and threw him upon the ground. As soon as he .rose, one Equal Baker gave him a blow on the eye, and knocked him down again. In about half an hour, the mob came to his house, and broke all the windows, except about twenty panes. The kitchen windows they cleared, lead, bars, and all, broke the window-posts, and threw them into the house. The shop was shut up; (he being an apothecary;) but they quickly broke it open, broke all the pots and bottles in pieces, and destroyed all his medicines. They broke also the shelves and drawers in the shop to pieces, and many of his household goods. 8. On January 13, 1743-4, the mob rose again at Darlas ton, broke all the windows of all who followed “this way,” (except two or three who bought themselves off) broke open several houses, and took what they liked, the people belong ing to them being fled for their lives. About the same time the Rev. Mr. E came to Darlas ton; and meeting some others at Thomas Forshcw’s, they drew up a writing; and Nicholas Winspur, the crier of the town, gave public notice, That all the people of the society must come to Mr. Forshew’s, and sign it, or else their houses would be pulled down immediately. It was to this effect, That they would never read, or sing, or pray together, or hear these Parsons, any more. Several signed this through fear. They made every one who did, lay down a penny,--“to make the mob drink.” 9.