Bulcamp Workhouse Riot and the Arrest of Robert Barber

Front Entrance, Bulcamp Workhouse

On the 21st of December, 1835, at the Blything Union Workhouse (called 'Bulcamp'), situated a few miles to the east of Blyford, Suffolk, there occurred a workhouse riot. During the fracas, Robert Barber was arrested, with subsequent penalties and sureties being called for.

This probably was the precipitating occasion for Robert's departure for Canada the following Spring or Summer (of 1836), coming then to Canada. He was to accompany the Jonathan Oakes family, whose daughter he would marry later in 1836, at Norfolk Street Methodist Church, Guelph, Ontario. Perhaps his frustration with the poor laws, with work house conditions played a part in his decision. Perhaps he saw no hope of meaningful employment and getting a future. Perhaps he was already in love with Harriet Oakes and wanted to follow her and her family to the new land of opportunity.

There are several documents in the Suffolk Records Office which have been copied and sent to me (which I cannot put on-line in their entirety, due to copywrite infringement issues). However, the basic data, as it relates to Robert's arrest, etc. here follows.

Listed with 'the rioters' is Robert Barber - who was to be bound to his own recognisance and good behaviour (I assume this means 'out on bail') for 6 months, with the sum of 14 pounds, surety paid by his father, William Barber. Also arrested, with similar charges and penalties at this time, were: Joseph Eastaugh, Jacob Pretty, William Seaman, Japhet Edwards and Samuel Dickerson. All of the above were single men, and all - save Joseph Eastaugh, were employed at the time.

Japhet Edwards, Jacob Pretty and Robert Barber were under the employ of a man named Churchyard, a farmer of Cratfield. Robert Barber was the horse-driver for this farmer.

Some of the documentation I have indicates that the authorities were considering charging Mr. Churchyard with 'incitement to riot' - this after it was alleged that (in commenting on the hated Bulcamp workhouse) he wouldn't mind if someone would go over and tear the place down, and he'd be glad to pay them for it. The words to that effect were noised abroad - at least being heard and discussed in the Cratfield public house, named 'The Bell,' owned by Joshua Moore (and his wife Elizabeth Stopher). Joshua was the uncle of Robert Barber - brother of his mother, Elizabeth (nee Moore).

Mr. William Fisher had gone to the Cratfield pub and " heard that Mr. Churchyard of Cratfield had agreed to pay his laborers for their days work if they went and pulled it down - Bulcamp House - at which I expressed my indignation . . ."

It was Fisher's job to give relief money to the poor and the next day Fisher he went to do his job of giving out such moneys, at St. Mary's church; when Mr. Churchyard arrived. Fisher asked him if he had indeed said such a thing as had heard about in the pub the evening before, expressing his displeasure if he had. According to Fisher's testimonty, Joshua Moore also had heard the conversation in his pub, had witnessed Fisher's exclamations against what Churchyard was alleged to have said, and also heard this next day the exchange between Fisher and Churchyard at the Cratfield parish church. He said this, probably, so that Joshua Moore could corraborate Fisher's testimony, if called upon.

At first Churchyard denied he'd said any such thing, but then in further conversation confessed that he had indeed said 'if they pulled the House down he would pay them for their days work - meaning by 'them' his own labourers.' (Apparently, in their youthful zeal and with young men's heated temperments, his 'labourers' had taken him seriously.)

Fisher was a very reluctant witness but, nevertheless, spoke as truthfully as he knew. ("I give my witness with the greatest possible reluctance . . . to the majestrates and the Poor Law Commissioners") -- giving his evidence under oath to two men of 'His Majesty's Justice of the Peace,' on December 28th, 1835.

The documents I have indicated that at least one authority wanted to proceed with charges against Churchyard bt other(s) seem more reluctant, arguing that anyone could have, in the heat of the moment and out of frustration over a number of things, said such a thing - without real or criminal intent - which would not likely be sufficient to find him guilty in a court of law for actual 'incitement to riot.' The time, effort and money in bringing such charges would prove, no doubt, fruitless.

In his affadavit, William Fisher also attested to asking Japhet Edwards (on the 21st of December, apparently in the context of the riot itself) if his Master had paid him for his day's work, to which Edwards is said to have replied, 'no, but he will when I go back.'

Fisher also attested to seeing Edwards, Jacob Pretty and Robert Barber (Churchyard's 'horse-driver') amidst the rioters at Bulcamp House, on the 21st of December - and that Edwards and Barber had Picks or Mattocks in their hands (supposedly to do the work of pulling it down.)

Churchyard was never formally tried with incitement to riot.