Bulcamp
In late 1835, a riot occurred at the despised Blything Union Workhouse, a few miles to the east of Blyford, Suffolk. Following this fracas at ‘Bulcamp,’ my great-great grandfather Robert Barber was arrested.
Court testimony revealed that a man named Edwards, Jacob Pretty and Robert Barber were amidst the rioters ‘at Bulcamp House, on the 21st of December.’ Edwards and Barber had Picks or Mattocks in their hands (in order to pull it down.)
Robert was employed on the farm of Mr. Churchyard, of Cratfield (as his horse-driver), whom the authorities considered charging with 'incitement to riot' for alleged comments in the local pub, The Bell, owned by Robert’s maternal uncle, Joshua Moore.
Witnesses, some later very reluctant to testify, including Joshua Moore, overheard Churchyard to the effect that he wouldn't mind if ‘someone would go over and tear the place down - and he'd be glad to pay them for it.’
Initially, Churchyard denied he'd said any such thing, but finally admitted saying, 'If they pulled the House down he would pay them for their days work - meaning by 'them' his own labourers.' Apparently, with the heated zeal of youth, his 'labourers' (including Robert Barber) had taken him seriously.)
Preliminary trial documents indicate that at least one authority wanted to proceed with charges against Churchyard; the others, reluctant, argued that anyone could say such things in the heat and frustration of the moment, without real or criminal intent – insufficient grounds to prove guilt in ‘incitement to riot.' Time, effort and money trying to prove otherwise would be fruitlessly spent; Churchyard was never formally tried.
Robert was bound on his own recognizance and good behaviour for 6 months. His father, William, paid the14 pounds ‘surety’ bond.
This probably precipitated Robert's coming to Canada the following Spring, in the company of the Jonathan Oakes family, whose daughter he would marry that year.
Perhaps he came frustrated by the turmoil in agriculture in that time, so much changing due to new machinery inventions - and the inadequate attempts of the government to address attending realities and social evils occasioned by the new ‘Corn Laws and ‘Poor Laws, and clearly angered by attending treatment and conditions suffered by workhouse ‘inmates’ (perhaps family members). Perhaps he saw no hope of meaningful employment, of ever being able to farm his own land, or have the future he desired. Maybe, already, he was in love with Harriet Oakes and wanted to forge a life with her in this new land of opportunity.
Chance words in a pub may have spurred these actions and decisions of my fore-bearer. On such little words and relatively insignificant turn most of the larger issues of life.
Court testimony revealed that a man named Edwards, Jacob Pretty and Robert Barber were amidst the rioters ‘at Bulcamp House, on the 21st of December.’ Edwards and Barber had Picks or Mattocks in their hands (in order to pull it down.)
Robert was employed on the farm of Mr. Churchyard, of Cratfield (as his horse-driver), whom the authorities considered charging with 'incitement to riot' for alleged comments in the local pub, The Bell, owned by Robert’s maternal uncle, Joshua Moore.
Witnesses, some later very reluctant to testify, including Joshua Moore, overheard Churchyard to the effect that he wouldn't mind if ‘someone would go over and tear the place down - and he'd be glad to pay them for it.’
Initially, Churchyard denied he'd said any such thing, but finally admitted saying, 'If they pulled the House down he would pay them for their days work - meaning by 'them' his own labourers.' Apparently, with the heated zeal of youth, his 'labourers' (including Robert Barber) had taken him seriously.)
Preliminary trial documents indicate that at least one authority wanted to proceed with charges against Churchyard; the others, reluctant, argued that anyone could say such things in the heat and frustration of the moment, without real or criminal intent – insufficient grounds to prove guilt in ‘incitement to riot.' Time, effort and money trying to prove otherwise would be fruitlessly spent; Churchyard was never formally tried.
Robert was bound on his own recognizance and good behaviour for 6 months. His father, William, paid the14 pounds ‘surety’ bond.
This probably precipitated Robert's coming to Canada the following Spring, in the company of the Jonathan Oakes family, whose daughter he would marry that year.
Perhaps he came frustrated by the turmoil in agriculture in that time, so much changing due to new machinery inventions - and the inadequate attempts of the government to address attending realities and social evils occasioned by the new ‘Corn Laws and ‘Poor Laws, and clearly angered by attending treatment and conditions suffered by workhouse ‘inmates’ (perhaps family members). Perhaps he saw no hope of meaningful employment, of ever being able to farm his own land, or have the future he desired. Maybe, already, he was in love with Harriet Oakes and wanted to forge a life with her in this new land of opportunity.
Chance words in a pub may have spurred these actions and decisions of my fore-bearer. On such little words and relatively insignificant turn most of the larger issues of life.
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