Easton Massacre Memorial
St George's Church, Reforne, Portland.
A pamphlet concerning the Easton Massacre is available from the church, and quotes from a local manuscript:
"April 1st 1803, came to anchor in Portland Roads, Eagle frigate, George Wolfe Esq. Commander for the purpose of impressing men... Nothing material happened that everning.
April 2nd 1803. Landed the impress boat near Portland Castle about 5 o'clock in the morning, from the above mentioned frigate, with captain, three more officers, and a lieutenant of marines, and 24 private marines and a number of seamen, armed with muskets, bayonets pistols, cutlasses and proceeded towards the village of Chissel and impressed one Henry Way, run into his house, whereof they broke up the door and impressed the said Nick Way. Both of them were guarded by some of the Press Gang to the Castle.
The inhabitants of this village then running up the hill to make their escape, but was closely followed by the Press Gang. When they came upon the hill and reached Zach White's house near the church, the said Zach White [Chief Constable of the Island's Court Leet] then seeing them, asked them were they was going, and desired them to stop. They said, 'We shall want your assistance to go with us,' but he asked them by what authority. They immediately took out a warrant and read it, and finding it was signed only by the Mayor of Weymouth he said his power do not extend to this Island unless it has been signed by one of the County Magistrates, therefore he should have nothing to do with them but used all the persuasive language he could to stop them from going down the street, where they halted and drawed up in lines about half past six o'clock.
The inhabitants were then in several divisions in the street, but seeing the captain attempt to take one Robert Bennett, they all collected together and advanced within ten yard of the Press gang to rescue him, the said Robert Bennett, the Press gang then commanding the passage leading up Reforne Street. The said Press gang attempting to take some more men, a scuffle commenced. Inconsequence therefore a pistol was fired by the captain, and its contents supposed to be lodged in the ground supposed to be the signal for the marines to fire, which immediately took place and the consequences thereof proved fatal to the inhabitants of the Island. Alexander Andrews, Rick Flann and William Lano was killed on the spot. Richard Bennett was badly wounded with a ball going through his thigh, and Mary Way was dangerously wounded with a ball entering the right side of her back and supposed to be lodged near her left breast. The Press gang had one man badly wounded and carried away on a hurdle and four or five more wounded. The inhabitants immediately fled, some through the Great Pool, some one way and some another but none of them were taken. The gang soon left us. They walked as far as Duckstile... went back again the same way, up through Reforne Street and proceeded on to the Castle much dejected, and took on board two men they had impressed in the morning."
Members of the Press Gang were later charged with wilful murder but were all found 'Not Guilty nor Fled'
Easton Massacre Memorial
St George's Church, Reforne, Portland.
A pamphlet concerning the Easton Massacre is available from the church, and quotes from a local manuscript:
"April 1st 1803, came to anchor in Portland Roads, Eagle frigate, George Wolfe Esq. Commander for the purpose of impressing men... Nothing material happened that everning.
April 2nd 1803. Landed the impress boat near Portland Castle about 5 o'clock in the morning, from the above mentioned frigate, with captain, three more officers, and a lieutenant of marines, and 24 private marines and a number of seamen, armed with muskets, bayonets pistols, cutlasses and proceeded towards the village of Chissel and impressed one Henry Way, run into his house, whereof they broke up the door and impressed the said Nick Way. Both of them were guarded by some of the Press Gang to the Castle.
The inhabitants of this village then running up the hill to make their escape, but was closely followed by the Press Gang. When they came upon the hill and reached Zach White's house near the church, the said Zach White [Chief Constable of the Island's Court Leet] then seeing them, asked them were they was going, and desired them to stop. They said, 'We shall want your assistance to go with us,' but he asked them by what authority. They immediately took out a warrant and read it, and finding it was signed only by the Mayor of Weymouth he said his power do not extend to this Island unless it has been signed by one of the County Magistrates, therefore he should have nothing to do with them but used all the persuasive language he could to stop them from going down the street, where they halted and drawed up in lines about half past six o'clock.
The inhabitants were then in several divisions in the street, but seeing the captain attempt to take one Robert Bennett, they all collected together and advanced within ten yard of the Press gang to rescue him, the said Robert Bennett, the Press gang then commanding the passage leading up Reforne Street. The said Press gang attempting to take some more men, a scuffle commenced. Inconsequence therefore a pistol was fired by the captain, and its contents supposed to be lodged in the ground supposed to be the signal for the marines to fire, which immediately took place and the consequences thereof proved fatal to the inhabitants of the Island. Alexander Andrews, Rick Flann and William Lano was killed on the spot. Richard Bennett was badly wounded with a ball going through his thigh, and Mary Way was dangerously wounded with a ball entering the right side of her back and supposed to be lodged near her left breast. The Press gang had one man badly wounded and carried away on a hurdle and four or five more wounded. The inhabitants immediately fled, some through the Great Pool, some one way and some another but none of them were taken. The gang soon left us. They walked as far as Duckstile... went back again the same way, up through Reforne Street and proceeded on to the Castle much dejected, and took on board two men they had impressed in the morning."
Members of the Press Gang were later charged with wilful murder but were all found 'Not Guilty nor Fled'