On the subject of minor officials, I'v e been researching somethhing entirely different but came across a 'Constable of Birmingham'. This was in the early 1830s. Samuel Rawlins had been appointed constable of Birmingham in September 1836, but this was an unpaid, honorary office.
[1] He had taken no other person into custody that year and doing so was not considered part of his duties but was in attendance ata a vestry meeting when violence [possibly] broke out between churchgoers and a member of the Birmignham Political Union- and successfull businessman and future MP – Frederick Muntz.
According to the officer’s testimony
I said ‘Mr. Muntz, what do you do there?
He said, What right have you to interfere?
‘I am one of the constables and I am here to preserve the peace.’
At the time he asked me my authority he laid hold of a walking stick I had in my hand and endeavoured to wrest it from me. He then said ‘show me your authority.’ I immediately drew the staff of office from my pocket and said, as Mr. Muntz tried to get over the pew ‘Mr. Muntz, you shall not go there; if you do, I shall try to prevent you.’
J. H. Shearman, a surgeon and proprietor of
The Philanthropist, saw Rawlins ‘strike at the people left and right… the conduct of Rawlins was extremely violent.’
[2] Muntz attempted to prevent this and did so without knowing Rawlins was a police officer. Once Rawlins produced his staff of office Muntz returned to his seat.
[3] Rawlins, it should be mentioned, was also member of the Loyal and Constitutional Association and had been in the vestry since the commencement of the meeting. With the reformers subdued by the presence of the police, the vesry election continued before Moseley declared that Brown had won with a large majority. [was there a peaceful outcome – did they chat afterwards?]
[1] Rawlins by AG,
Birmingham Gazette, April 2, 1838.
[2] Shearman,
Birmingham Gazette, April 2, 1838.
[3] Rawlins cross examination.
Birmingham Gazette, April 2, 1837.