WORCESTER Berrows Quarterly
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WORCESTER Berrows Quarterly Publisher: David Hallmark Editor: Paul Francis Layout: Carter Graphics Special Start of the end edition: for British rule Our city’s BY John Paddock, the Customs House, where a his feet, Montgomery heard links with Curator Worcestershire certain amount of cash was someone shout “Why don’t Regiment Museum. kept. A mob of 100 rioters tried you fi re?” and, thinking that this IN 1770 the 29th Foot – later to rush the post shouting, “Kill was an order to fi re, did so. Five America to become the Worcestershire the soldier, kill the damned or six more shots were fi red Regiment – were stationed coward, kill him, knock him in quick succession: three of in Boston at a time when the down!” and the lone sentry the rioters were killed and fi ve discontent and hatred felt by called out the guard who came wounded. The rest of the mob How MP the American colonists towards to his assistance. ran away. the Mother country, England, The guard, consisting of In memory of the incident was extended to the British Captain Thomas Preston, a which the Bostonians called the inspired Troops stationed in the Colony. corporal and six men, fi xed Boston Massacre, the Regiment, Boston was a particular bayonets and kept the crowd being the fi rst to shed the centre of discord and on at bay, taking no more violent blood of the colonists, was US rebels several occasions there had action, although subjected to a given the nickname ‘The Blood been free fi ghts between the barrage of abuse. Suckers” or the “Vein Openers”. BY David Hallmark townsfolk and members of the However, words led to The Incident led to the BORN in Worcester in March, Regiment. blows, and Captain Preston arrest and trial of Captain 1651, probably in White Ladies, On March 5, it being their and Private Montgomery were Preston, Private Montgomery, now WRGS, John Somers was turn for garrison duties, the struck down by one of the seven other soldiers and four educated at the Cathedral 29th provided a guard for mob leaders. On regaining civilians on a charge of murder. Contemporary image of the incident in Boston School, now Kings School Worcester, and then via Trinity College Oxford and Middle The Trial up: “Facts are stubborn things; in consideration of those The Captain of the movement for the Temple began a remarkable and whatever may be our passions in our nature, which independence of USA was legal and political career. BY Tom McSweeney wishes, our inclinations, or the cannot be eradicated. To your CAPTAIN Thomas Preston of triggered literally by soldiers of He became MP for BRITISH soldiers of the dictates of our passions, they candour and justice I submit the 29th Foot was brought what became the Regiment of Worcester and Lord Chancellor Fourteenth and the Twenty- cannot alter the state of facts the prisoners and their cause.” alone to trial in March, 1770, Worcestershire. and Commissioner for the ninth Regiments were tried and evidence: nor is the law On December 5, after less shortly after the incident, for The consequences of that Union of Scotland and England between November 27 and less stable than the fact; if an than three hours deliberation, his role and responsibility for incident resonated over the before his death in 1716. In 1689, December 5 before the Superior assault was made to endanger the jury acquitted six of the the soldiers fi ring and killing War of Independence which he was the principal author Court of Judicature, the highest their lives, the law is clear, they soldiers on all charges. Hugh Boston citizens. was formally declared in 1776 of the Bill of Rights Act and court in Massachusetts. had a right to kill in their own Montgomery and Matthew His defence lawyer was and until formally granted by other legislation linked to the John Adams, defending, defence; if it was not so severe Killroy, the only two soldiers John Adams who later would King George III at The Treaty of changeover from the deposed argued self defence, asking the as to endanger their lives, yet clearly proven to have fi red, become the 2nd US President Paris, 1783. Captain Preston was Roman Catholic James 11 and jury to consider whether “it if they were assaulted at all, were found guilty of and a visitor to Worcester acquitted by a Boston Jury and the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of the have been a prudent resolution struck and abused by blows manslaughter. However at the in 1786. Adams declared left to return home in England succession by William and Mary in them, or in any body in their of any sort, by snow-balls, sentencing on December 14 that this incident persuaded and away from the history he and their Coronation Oath for situation, to have stood still, to oyster-shells, cinders, clubs, they successfully “prayed the him that his nation must might have prevented. the Anglican Church. see if [the mob] would knock or sticks of any kind; this was benefi t of clergy,” exchanging seek “independence” from The memory of the However, his infl uence their brains out, or not?” a provocation, for which the execution for branding of the Great Britain. The 29th Foot Massacre was kept alive in also extended to the USA. After presenting over forty law reduces the offence of thumb by reading Psalm 51, became the Worcestershire annual commemorations on Thomas Jefferson, one of the witnesses, Adams summed killing, down to manslaughter, verse 1. Regiment. Thus the beginning March 5, a tradition until 1783. ‘Founding Fathers,’ recognised the importance of the life and Adams and Jefferson forget the ground where liberty works of Somers. He retained were Founding was fought for? Tell your copies of his works in his Fathers and played neighbours and your children Library which eventually he A statue fi t for Presidents major roles in leading that this is holy ground, much dedicated to Congress and BY Richard Shaw the American War of holier than that on which your became the famous Library of Battle of Worcester Society Independence. churches stand. All England Congress. THE Battle of Worcester In 1797 Adams became the should come in pilgrimage to The US Bill of Rights is Society has commissioned second President of the United this hill once a year. based on the 1689 Bill of Rights sculptor Kenneth Potts MRBS States of America and in 1801 The Battle of Worcester drafted by Somers and his to create a concept of a Jefferson the third President. Society is seeking to raise a attributed writings including monument dedicated to the Upon touring Worcester in 1786 total of £150,000 for a world his 1709 paper “Vox Populi, Vox visit in 1786 of John Adams and they were astonished that so class monument on Fort Royal Dei, Judgment of Kingdoms and Thomas Jefferson. few local people knew about Hill Worcester. The monument Nations concerning the Rights At the time, Adams was the English Civil Wars, which will provide an attractive and Privileges and Properties of the American Ambassador to the Americans referred to as destination for tourists and the People.” Britain and Jefferson was the the English Revolution, and help to improve the visitor More work remains to be American Ambassador in Paris. Adams made a speech on Fort economy to the City. done to celebrate the infl uence For more information or to make They visited Worcester as part Royal: a donation please contact chairman@ of Somers in Worcester and in Artist’s impression of the statue of a tour of England. Both Do Englishmen so soon thebattleofworcestersociety.org.uk UK and in USA. Underwoods Steel Stockholders Ron Smith & Co. Halls – Land & Property ARC Surveyors Limited www.underwoods-steels.co.uk www.ronsmith.co.uk www.hallsgb.com www.arcsurveyors.net WORCESTER Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce www.hwchamber.co.uk Links for Hollywood hit for six the future BY Tony Halford team was assembled with AFTER a highly successful tremendous help from Duncan BY Publisher career in cricket, Norman Fearnley, who put together a David Hallmark Gifford was awarded a benefit star-studded side including COMPILING this fourth year by Worcestershire CCC. Sir Ian Botham, David Gower, and final edition of the As part of this, a tour was Graham Gooch, Graham Dilley first year of publication organised to America under the and David Shepherd to name has emphasised how many umbrella of “California Goes but a few. Sir Christopher’s side people there are who want Cricket”, in September, 1981. also contained celebrities such the history and heritage of The venue of the principal as Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Worcester to be an active match was the Rosebowl Hulk), Actors from The Waltons feature of the City and its Stadium, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Charlie’s Angels, who were community. California. The culmination of fervent supporters. I am most grateful to the tour was to be a cricket The showcase match took Lou Ferrigno flies the flag the Advertisers whose funds match against a celebrity team place at the 120,000 seater with Norman Gifford make this possible and of Hollywood all stars. The Rosebowl, thanks to the efforts Berrows for the joint venture captains of the teams were of the Southern California had provided two painters with by a lady on a white stallion, had many wonderful memories, and to Editor Paul and respectively Norman Gifford Cricket Club, who provided a whitewash and brushes, who sporting a Stars and Stripes flag including Ian Botham hitting a Graphics Simon and all the and Sir Christopher Lee, who coconut matting strip and the thought a wicket consisted of to the music of the national home run in the LA Dodgers Contributors.