Newport Chartists Vol.11, p.57

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Regina v[ersus] William Jones.
James Emery - of Pontypool - Cabinet
Maker States
That about a week previously to the
3rd November last I became a member
of the Chartist Club held at the House
of William Jones at Pontypool - On
the morning of Sunday the 3rd November
I went in Company with John Dyer
(who was taking a Horse for William
Jones to Abersychan) - We found
him Jones at a Beer House kept by David
Richards at Abersychan - in Company with others
whom I heard William Jones
address as follows -
"you must all be prepared with
your arms by 2 o'clock - force
all the people together that you can" -
and prick them along with your pikes -
He also said he was going round the
Hills to collect the Chartists together -
would go on Horseback - He spoke of one
Williams as having a number of
arms coming home that night -
He mentioned 1500 pikes and a
number of Guns - He told us that

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Frost would arrive at Newport from
Blackwood with a great number
of men - armed - He also said
that we should see placards posted
about Newport on the Monday morning
announcing whatever might be
deemed requisite - It should begin
with "We the Executive Government
of England" and be signed "John
Frost President" - Some of
the people present complained that
they had no arms - He told them
not to mind it as there would be
plenty on the Race Course in the
evening for all - He said he
was expecting Jordan the Constable
there every minute - but that if
he came he would only get a ball
through his head I saw a Pistol in Jones'
hand whilst I was in the Room -
Jones said when they were collected
together they were to take Mr
Roberts (Sup[erinten]d of Police) and Jordan
[Policeman] - then go to the Ironmonger's
shops and take arms from them

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and go to Mr Leigh's - take him and the
arms they found there and also to take
Mr Blewitt at Llantarnam and the arms there
also - I then returned home to Pontypool -
About 8 o'clock in the Evening I went to
Prisoner's House and there saw a number
of men around- I heard a person of
the name of Shellard I staid there a
short time and returned home- In
about an hour I again went to Jones'
and saw the men coming out of his
House into the Street most of them
armed- I heard W[illia]m Shellard tell
them to go on to the Race Course and that
Jones was gone on-
I proceeded with the others to the Race
Course accordingly - on the Road I
saw Jones and a few people with
him- they were armed - Jones told
the people as they passed by to go on -
I endeavoured to get back -
but I was forced on to the New Inn-
I found the House nearly full of -
men - some were armed -
After a few minutes Jones came in
and ordered the men out and proceed
to Newport - He
He went into the Bar where I saw

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him in conversation with Miss Prosser - the
Daughter of the Landlady - I again
attempted to make my escape - and after
proceeding a little way I was stopped
by two men - armed with Pistols -
they threatened to shoot me if I did
not go on with the rest - They
took me back to the door of the New
Inn - the Men were then coming
out of the House - I saw Jones at
the door - I heard him order the
Men to proceed to Newport in
three parties - the pikemen first
those with Guns next - and the others with
what weapons they could get -
I then succeeded in making my
escape and went back Home
[on right hand side of page:-] James Emery

I know George Shell of Pontypool Cabinet Maker
he worked for Mr Platner a Cabinet Maker at Pontypool He was a
sec[retary] to a Chartist Lodge. I have seen him enter the names
of persons in a book I have also seen
him making out an account of his work
I know his handwriting I have seen a Letter
addressed to Mr Shell Bristol I believe that to be
in the handwriting of Geo[rge] Shell I will not
swear it is tho' I have no doubt in my own
mind - I have heard that Geo[rge] Shell went with
the mob to Newport and was killed at the Westgate
and that his Body was one of the 9 dead Bodies at the Westgate

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Reg[ina] v[ersus] W[illia]m Jones W[atch] Maker
Evidence of James Emery

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