In the Court of King’s Bench, on Saturday, the cause of Ballard v Bond, and another was tried. It was an action brought by the village schoolmaster and beadle of Stapleford Tawney church, against the Revd. Mr. Bond, the curate, for an assault committed in the church on Sunday, the 21st of May. Mr Watson stated the case, and proceeded to call the following witnesses:-
Elizabeth Thurnwood lived with Mr Bond in the month of May last; recollects Sacrament Sunday, the 29th May; knows the plaintiff Ballard, the plaintiff was standing by his scholars in the church. On that day Mr Bond called Mr Ballard into the vestry; Ballard went in, and she (witness) heard Bond say to the plaintiff, everyone in the parish has signed the paper against you; Ballard said that they had not all had signed it, and Mr Bond replied, “Do you mean to call me a liar?” Ballard said he did not and that was no place for such conversation. Bond then called in Tanner and told him to turn him out. Tanner called to Meredy to assist him; Meredy took hold of plaintiff by the right arm and he was put out; he fell in his struggle with Tanner, and his head came against a pew door. Witness gave Mr. Bond notice to quit his service the next day.
Cross examined by Mr. Platt. Herself and the housemaid gave warning the same time, has lived with her mother ever since she left Mr. Bond’s. Her mother keeps a chandlers shop in the country. She gave warning because Mr. Bond told the servants that he would discharge them if they ever entered Mr Ballard’s house ever again.
The witnesses differed a little in their statements, only one recollecting the orders of the clergyman to turn the plaintiff out, but all agreeing to the violence used by the other defendants.
Mr Platt for the defendants, dwelt upon the discrepancy of the evidence, and urged that it was impossible for him to call evidence, as the plaintiff had included all who alone could give the true state of the case in the action.
The Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff. Damages 40 shillings against each of the defendants.
Source: Essex Herald - Tuesday 06 December 1836.
Court King’s Bench, Thursday.— Ballard v. Bond and Another.—This was an action for assault and forcibly turning the plaintiff out of Church; was tried the last sittings for Westminster, before Mr. Justice Coleridge, when verdict was entered for plaintiff—damages, forty shillings.—- Mr. Thesiger now moved for a new trial, on the ground misdirection. The plaintiff was schoolmaster of the parish church of Stapleford Tawney, in Essex, of which the defendant Bond was curate: on the day of the alleged assault, the plaintiff was called into the vestry-room and told Mr. Bond, that in consequence of public remonstrance addressed to him of his irregularity be should resign his situation. An altercation ensued; plaintiff gave Bond the lie, and threatened to take all the scholars with him went; he was forthwith forcibly put out of the church.—Rule refused.
Source: Essex Herald - Tuesday 17 January 1837
What led up to the assault on Mr Ballard remains a mystery.