JOHN JAMES BEZER was a minor but interesting activist during the later years of the Chartist movement.  His name comes down to us, not so much by way of references made to his lectures and the Chartist meetings that he attended in company with the movement's more notable personalities, but through the record of his trial for sedition and, more particularly, for his incomplete autobiography.   Ten chapters of this were published as instalments in the Christian Socialist, from 9 August 1851.  Bezer's narrative of his childhood and early days provide an important and incisive account of the wretched lives suffered by London's poor during the early 1800's.  He probably intended to cover the period of his trial and subsequent incarceration in Newgate Prison, but his autobiography ceased with the demise of the Christian Socialist in 1851, and Bezer left the Chartist scene in 1852.

    There is little information regarding his activities other than those given in his autobiography.  However, there are reports of his rather short-lived political pursuits in radical newspapers, as well as items in the Christian Socialist.  For what information has been obtained, including genealogical records that have been traced, a chronological order has been used.  Further information may yet become available.  From these records, it is surprising to note how many times he and his family moved—usually within the Clerkenwell/Shoreditch/Bethnal Green areas.  He mentioned in a letter to the Christian Socialist (see the section 'Circulation of the Christian Socialist') that he had had nine children up to December 1851—but details of only eight have been traced.  Probably the other child died at an early age, and that record has so far not been found.

    An autodidact as were many of the poorer class at that time—see, for example, Gerald Massey—he was clever, observant, a practical opportunist and had a descriptive dry sense of humour.  His early involvement with the Chartist movement certainly provided a positive outlet for his rebellious opinions, the result of his experience of poverty and social injustice.  Undoubtedly sincere, his participation within the Chartist organisation and Christian Socialist movement was essentially localised, and he showed no evidence of any wide knowledge of political complexities.  Neither did he appear to show any desire for gaining wider personal achievement through broader experience as his later occupations show.

    With regard to his personal appearance, he was blind in his left eye (apparent in the above photo), the result of smallpox as a child and, from later information, was of very short stature at only 5 feet.  In his autobiography he mentioned [about 1835] that he had been advised to give up shoemaking, as it was straining his eye, but according to records, he continued the occupation for long periods.

―――♦―――

JOHN JAMES BEZER, CHARTIST
(1816-88)

BY

DAVID SHAW.

PART ONE.

    John James Bezer was born on the 24 August 1816 in his father's one room barber's shop in Hope Street, Spitalfields, and baptised on the 15 September 1816 at Spitalfields Christ Church Stepney.

    The Hope Street map area (shown below) is dated 1813, and the street—now redeveloped—is situated in the area today between Brick Lane, Quaker Street and Grey Eagle Street.

    His father was a drunkard and spendthrift, and the family became out-door paupers, the parish allowing them four shillings per week.  At nine years of age, young Bezer obtained his first post as a warehouse errand boy in Newgate Street.  Working a 17 hour day for a six-day week, he received three shillings.  At one time, he and his mother lived in Whitecross Place, near the Barbican, about which he said:

"It is said, God made everything.  I don't believe it; He never made Whitecross Place, the entrance to which was the narrow way that leadeth into stinks.  A gutter passed through the middle of the court—a pretty looking gutter, from which the effluvia rose up, without ceasing, into our elegant second floor front; a room, or rather a cell (we paid 2s. 3d. rent weekly, for the blessed privilege of breathing in the accumulated filth below); a hole in which the bugs held a monster public meeting every night, determined to show what a co-operative movement could do."

    Whitecross Place—"the place of stinks" is shown (below) in the 1813 map beneath Crown Street.  It shows also the narrow entrance from Wilson Street, at the South-east of Finsbury Square leading into an irregular enclosed area.  Although some improvements had been made since that time; Charles Booth noted it in his 1898 poverty map as belonging to the lowest, very poor class.  It is still marked on maps today, at the corner of Wilson Street and Sun Street.

    Between January and July 1837 (records destroyed), he married Jane Sarah Drew at Christchurch Newgate Street, and the birth of their first child occurred the following year.  Francis James Bezer was born at 6 am on 6 February 1838 at 30, Back Hill, Saffron Hill.  Bezer was listed then as a 'Town Traveller', a broad term, for at that time he was jobless, and reduced to singing hymns and begging.

    The map illustrated below, (1816) shows Back Hill to the north of Leather Lane.  The family lived also for a while in Ray Street, between Back Hill and Clerkenwell Green—also marked on the map—but the date is uncertain (See Bezer's Autobiography).

    The print below, of Ray Street, Clerkenwell (about 1820) shows part of Ray Street (left, which continues to Back Hill), with St James' Church in the background.  The cattle would be on their way to Smithfield.  Ray Street is marked on maps today, but is crossed by the Farringdon Road, and the surroundings changed by increased redevelopment.

    The couple's second child, Jane Sarah Bezer was born on 24 September 1839 at 33 St Helena Place, Clerkenwell. Bezer listed as a 'labourer.'  St Helena Place was between Farringdon Road and Aldersgate Street.  It is unmarked on maps, but was mentioned in Charles Booth's 1898 notes as then being rough, doors open, windows broken, women wearing sackcloth instead of skirts.  Unfortunately, little Jane did not survive long, having been found dead in bed on the 12 December 1839 (Informant: the Coroner).  There was no evidence to prove the cause of death.  Bezer is listed as a 'Shoemaker.'

    A third child, Jane Mary Bezer was born on 26 September 1840 at 2 Baldwin's Place, Baldwin's Gardens, Holborn.  Bezer listed again as a Shoe Maker.  Baldwin's Place was situated off Gray's Inn Road between what is now Baldwin's Gardens and Portpool Lane.  Charles Booth's 1898 notes refer to the area as dull, messy, with airless courts.  The children pale, but fairly well dressed and clean.

    In 1841, the census return shows the family still living in Baldwin's Place, St Andrew above the Bar.  Bezer is listed as aged 25, a Journeyman Shoemaker with his wife 25, a Dressmaker, and Jane Bezer, 9 months.  Her son, Francis James, is not listed.

    About 1842, in common with many other workers who were suffering social iniquity, Bezer joined the Chartist movement, soon becoming Secretary of the Cripplegate Locality of the National Charter Association, and speaking at their meetings.

    Bezer's next child was Emily Drew Bezer, born on 20 May 1843, at 4 Carr Square, St Giles Cripplegate.  Bezer is listed as a 'Cordwainer' [a shoe or boot maker].  Carr Square was west of Moor Lane—now redeveloped, and near Moorgate tube station.

    Another son followed fairly quickly, as did another move: Frederick John Bezer was born on 1 December 1844 at 7 Hanover Court, St Giles Cripplegate. Bezer remained listed as a Cordwainer.  Hanover Court was between Milton Street and Moor Lane, and the area is redeveloped.  The site would be approximately where Milton Court is today.

    Another daughter, Mary Nelson Bezer was born on 4 August 1846.  The family had moved yet again, this time to 5 Bromleys Buildings, Bread Street Hill.  Bezer now listed as a 'General Dealer'.   Bromleys Buildings were between Huggin Lane and Bread Street Hill. Bread Street Hill is now the area of Bread Street between Queen Victoria Street and Cannon Street, near Mansion House tube station.

    Bezer's third son was next on the scene.  Walter Cooper Bezer was born on 10 July 1848, at 2, Shepherd and Flock Court, Little Bell Alley, North East of the City of London.  Bezer listed now as a 'Fishmonger', the occupation he gave when he was arrested the following month.   Shepherd and Flock Court was situated off White Alley, Coleman Street (near the Bank of England), and between Little Bell Alley that ran between the east end of Great Bell Alley and London Wall.  The area was rebuilt c 1890.  There is a short stretch of Great Bell Alley off Coleman Street that is still marked on maps today, south of Moorgate tube station.   The name of 'Walter Cooper' may have been given as an association with Walter Cooper who became Manager in 1850 of the Working Tailor's Association, Castle Street.  Cooper had been lecturing prior to this, Gerald Massey having come into contact with him in 1849.

    In 1848, following the failure of the Kennington Common rally on 10 April and the petition to Parliament, a number of militant Chartists convened private meetings with the object "if possible, to destroy the power of the Queen, and establish a Republic."  All these meetings were undertaken apparently without the knowledge of the Executive of the National Charter Association.  Bezer gave covert assistance, and was able to inform those members involved that he—amongst others—would be able to supply 50 fighting men, and that they 'were going to get up a bloody revolution'.  However, Government spies defeated the plan; six of the plotters were transported to Australia, and fifteen imprisoned [The Times, 23 September 1848].

    Shortly after the Kennington Common episode, and following an address he gave at a public meeting [see Regina v. Bezer], Bezer was convicted of sedition [Ed. ― inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government] and sentenced to two years imprisonment in London's notorious Newgate prison.  Prior to his arrest in 1848, he had been on the Committee and was an active member of the Irish Democratic Confederation of London―a strongly militant group that had Feargus O'Connor as president.  The objectives of this Confederation included the repeal of the Union between Great Briton and Ireland and the establishment of a representative parliament.  Bezer had lectured on the Irish question as well as on Chartist themes at various venues throughout the previous twelve months, including Cartwright's Coffee House, Cripplegate; the Star Coffee House Redcross Street, Golden Lane; and the Literary and Scientific Institution, John Street.  The latter was a public meeting held on 22 June, 1848, complaining of police action against Chartists.  At this meeting, Bezer moved 'That making the police a military body was subversive of liberty, and the British Constitution.' (Northern Star, 1 July, 1848.)

    The year was ending most unkindly for Bezer.  His son, Frederick John Bezer, then aged nearly four years, caught Scarlet Fever in the early part of August.  Unfortunately it was the malignant type, and the child died of 'cerebral effusion' on the 1 September, soon after Bezer entered Newgate prison.  His wife was now residing at 3 Sherroll's Buildings, St. Botolph, Bishopsgate.  The address has not been identified on maps.

    The occasion of his release from Newgate in April 1850 together with a number of other Chartists, was used to promote the Chartist cause.  A meeting was convened by the provisional committee of the National Charter Association on the 23 April 1850, at the John Street Institute.  Thirteen of the released Chartists mounted the platform, and committee members, including Bronterre O'Brien and George Julian Harney made spirited addresses.  Bezer was introduced, and addressed the packed hall amid loud cheering. (Northern Star, 27 April 1850.)

    Following the collapse of the Kennington meeting, the authorities took a much more lenient view of subversive lectures, as the threat of organised violence had considerably diminished, and Bezer lost no time in continuing his Chartist activities.   The Northern Star (4 may, 1850) noted that Bezer was commencing a series of weekly lectures at the 'Old Dolphin,' Old Street, St. Like.  His first lecture to be 'What can I do for Liberty?'

    At a public meeting of the National Charter Association Executive to discuss the Foreign Policy of Government Ministers, Bezer came forward amid much cheering.  He said that as regards ministers and their foreign policy, he thought they cared more for people that were far away than they did for those at home.  He held in his hand The Young American, a Republican paper, which paper was the advocate of social rights.  He then read several extracts showing that poverty and pauperism prevailed in the States and that even the Republican institutions were not complete if confined to mere politics.  That showed the necessity for social rights, such as the nationalisation of the land etc.  Bezer continued by quoting many great authors in favour of equality of rights, and appealed to the audience not to heed mere names, but to stand by principles.  He sat down to loud applause. (Northern Star, 6 July 1850.)

    In July 1850 the Metropolitan District Council resolved that localities take a benefit with a view of placing the victim [as a political martyr] John James Bezer in a small way of business.  Bezer said he should like the joint trades of greengrocer and fishmonger.  The Council considered that if the sum exceeded £10, the excess could be devoted to other political martyrs.  Bezer thought, with that, and an already promised amount, he could make a fair start with £10.

    The following month the question of improved circulation of information was brought up at a National Charter Association meeting.  Bezer was called to the Chair, and discussions were raised re dissemination of democratic knowledge via tracts, periodicals and newspapers.  It was noted that many shopkeepers refused to expose The Red Republican for sale, or obtain it when ordered.  Bezer pointed to the necessity of extending political and social knowledge to prevent the people in future being fleeced by parliament voting an immense Palace to an infant in his ninth year, and give five thousand pounds for stables for the Prince of Wales' horses, nine or ten years hence.  This was supported by Bronterre O'Brien.  Mr Gerald Massey amidst loud cheers, came forward and suggested a number of broad general axioms, such as "All men are brethren," etc. and said that he thought some broad basis of this description might be laid, on which all could stand in the common band of unity.  He said that in six months not less than eight associations had been established, and invoked them to press onward in the good cause of democracy, burying feuds in the dust. (Cheers.) (Northern Star, 10 August, 1850)

    During that month, Bezer had been making arrangements for a lecture tour throughout the Midlands.  His general subjects for the lectures were advertised in the Red Republican and Northern Star as:

•     The sufferings of himself and fellow-victims in prison.

•     The principles of social and democratic reform.

•     The united organisation of social and democratic reformers to obtain the Charter.

His home address was given as 32 Bartholomew Close, Smithfield. [Still on maps today, off 'Little Britain', but redeveloped.]

    Commencing at the New Hall, Northampton on Monday 19 August, his subject was 'Political and Social Reform, with Revelations of his Imprisonment.'  The Northern Star (24 August, 1850) reported that Bezer's happy vein of treating the subject gained him continued plaudits."  Then to Leicester for two lectures the following day, at which 1,000 persons were stated to be present.  He continued to Loughborough, Sherwood Forrest, Sutton-in-Ashfield and Arnold.  At Holbrook Moor, two pieces written by him whilst in Newgate prison were sung, and he spoke on the People's Charter and his treatment in Newgate.

    Following Bezer's lecture tour, complaints regarding the treatment of other Chartist prisoners were being made.  On the 8 October 1850 a public meeting was held in the Broadway, Westminster, for the purpose of hearing statements from several Chartists who had been held in Newgate, Tothill Fields and Horsemonger Lane prisons.

    John Arnott, as Secretary to the Victim Committee of the National Charter Association had been in communication with Thomas Wakley M.P. for Finsbury, regarding the treatment of the prisoners.  Mr Wakley had referred the matter to Sir George Grey who had been informed by the Secretary of the Home Office that, following enquiries, he had been assured that the prison regulations had been conformed with.  This despite the fact that two Chartists had died in prison, victims of ill treatment.

    The mother of one of the victims gave an account to the Coroner.  She stated that she went to visit her son, and found him in a prostrate state.  Asking what nourishment he had received, the officer on duty said that he had plenty of soda water.  Asking if he could be allowed a little arrow-root, the officer replied that he would not take it.  On asking her son, he said yes.  Two hours later some three tablespoonfuls were brought to her, which her son took.  On visiting the next day, he told her that he had received nothing since her last visit.  He died the following day.

    Bezer who was present as one of the victims, said that imprisonment had only sent him there as a Chartist, and it has sent him out a Republican.  He said that the first speaker (Mr Shaw) had suffered extremely, and had for some time been compelled to go upon crutches.  There was a classification of prisoners in Newgate, of which the public had little knowledge, but the classification was not one as regarded the nature of their crimes, but as regarded the weight of their pockets.  There were in Newgate prison fifteen condemned cells, and he and Shaw were confined in two of these for twelve months, until rheumatism and illness laid them both on their backs.

    He certainly tried to make himself rather a troublesome customer, and among other things, on the anniversary of Charles the Second, he refused to go to chapel, as he said he didn't want to return thanks for any such matter, as he thought Charles the Second ought to have been treated just the same as his father had been. [Ed.―executed!]  They were always told they must conform to the rules of the prison, but these rules, although he had often asked for them, they never yet could see.

    It was reported that Bezer continued with his experiences at considerable length. (Northern Star, 12 October, 1850.)

    On the 26 October Bezer commenced as a newsagent.  This was probably a rethink of his previous suggestion of a job as greengrocer and fishmonger that he had given at the Metropolitan District Council meeting.  In November he gave his address for this as 6 Sycamore Street, Old Street, St Luke's.  At this time Harney had received a cleverly rhymed letter with a verse and cartoon from ‘M.P.’ who stated he had received it with a request that it be forwarded to Harney.  It was signed Brougham and Vaux―but was unlikely to have been written by him.  The cartoon was a parody of the "Arms of the British Monarchy", with the verse being an ‘explanation’ of the items on the Arms (Red Republican, 26 October 1850).  These items are appended below:

    The cartoon, together with the letter and verse obviously appealed to Bezer’s sense of humour.  He had it reprinted, and advertised it for sale at his home address, Sycamore Street, in the following fortnight’s Red Republican for one halfpenny, or 7d per quire for Trade.

    Bezer was also quick to take advantage of the Christian Socialists, having been introduced to them by Walter Cooper.  In two advertisements in December 1850 issues of the Christian Socialist, he referred to himself by:

    Continuing with his activities, later in the year he stood on the Polish Refugees Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Trades Committee.  Then in January the following year, 1851, at a public meeting at the Literary Institute, Portman Square, he moved: "That the Executive of the National Charter Association as a body deserves the support of all true democrats.  To make the agitation [for the Charter], they must join the Association, and prove by their zeal that they really were in earnest in their profession of a desire to raise themselves on the side of social society."

    Continuing dissention between the locally powerful Manchester Chartists and the National Charter Association gave the NCA cause for continuing concern.  A meeting was convened at the John Street Institute in February to receive a report of the Executive Committee relative to charges made at the Manchester Conference by Feargus O'Connor.  Gerald Massey and others spoke, and Bezer moved "That this meeting is further of opinion that the people's cause requires that their acknowledged leaders should be protected from insidious and indirect attacks and denunciations; and that it holds as despicable the conduct of any man and every man, whose practice it is to vaguely and treacherously arraign and denounce those leaders, and yet shrink from the responsibility of proof."  This received support, was applauded, and adopted.

   The census record for 1851 shows the family at 6 Sycamore Street:—John Bezer, 34, News Agent.  Jane S. Bezer, 34.  Francis S. Bezer, 13.  Emily D. Bezer, 7.  Mary N. Bezer, 5, and Walter C. Bezer, 3.

    Sycamore Street—noted on the map below—was situated between Old Street and Goswell Road, and led from Rotten Row to Old Street.  A small part of the street is still on map today, with Rotten Row being renamed Crescent Row.

    The year of 1851 was made particularly notable by the Crystal Palace Exhibition in Hyde Park.  However, Bezer prejudged this in a most negative manner.  A lecture he presented in March titled 'The Exhibition, what will be exhibited, and what is hidden', at the Rose and Crown, Colville Place, Tottenham Court Road, was reported by the Northern Star.  Bezer ably dilated upon the false and hollow grandeur which would be exhibited to the visitors from abroad, whilst every endeavour would be made to banish poverty from their view.  They would see the Glass Palace glazed by unpaid and imprisoned glaziers.  The enormous block of coal would be exhibited, but the poor miners would be hidden.  Splendid silks would be there, but the weavers would be kept out of view.  The productions of industry would be shown, but none of its due rewards.  They would see an immense blue exhibition of 6,000 police, and 300 intensely blue, for the purpose of keeping peace, law and order, near the building.  They would also see an immense red exhibition, headed by the her Majesty's most confidential adviser―the Duke of Wellington.  There would likewise be a great exhibition of rant, cant, and humbug.  If they looked at the Times or Chronicle, they would see subscriptions called for to convert the poor Heathens who would be present at this Vanity Fair.  If a poor Chartist attempted to speak of his wrongs, the blue and red exhibition would soon put him down, though they would be unable to put down the truths he was anxious to enforce.  The Exhibition would be a monument of hollow, empty extravagance, supported by physical force on one hand, and superstition on the other. The attempt to hide poverty by keeping the costermongers and others out of the streets was vain and futile. They would fail in their object, and only increase the number of Chartists.

"Mr Bezer, during a clever and humorous address, was much applauded." (Northern Star, 22 March 1851.)

Note: The Crystal Palace Exhibition sited in Hyde Park was open from 1 May―15 October 1851.  It extended to an area six times that of St Paul's Cathedral.  Following the exhibition, the building was disassembled and reopened in Sydenham in 1854.

    One can compare Bezer's advance negative opinion of a grand exhibition with that of Gerald Massey's artistically positive but over-long account of the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition of 1857. (Massey biography, chapter 3.)

    Bezer's fourth son now arrived.  John James Bezer was born on 16 May 1851 at 3 Sycamore Street.  Bezer was listed as a 'Newsagent', and appears to have moved from No. 6 in that street.

    At a public meeting later in July, at Finsbury, Bezer noted how even the most liberal of Press, excepting the Northern Star and other democratic journals, misrepresented and distorted every meeting of working men, when they condescended to notice them.  When a jeweller's shop was broken into at Camberwell, during the meetings in 1848, though it was well known by the evidence on the trial that it was done by a gipsy, who knew nothing about Chartism―yet even Lloyd's, a professing liberal paper, headed their account of the trial with the words―'Trial and Conviction of another Chartist Leader.'

    Yet another meeting was convened shortly after that, for victims of the spy system of Whig government.  This was held at the Dog and Duck Tavern, at the corner of Frith Street and Queen Street, Soho.  Discussion was raised to adopt steps relative to the parliamentary enquiry into their treatment during the ensuing session.  Many victims and relatives were present.  Bezer moved: "That we, the political victims of 1848, do now form ourselves into an Association, for the purpose of exposing the period of our incarceration, and to prosecute, by means of Lord Dudley Stuart and other parliamentary friends and enquiry before the next session of parliament relative thereto, and thus prevent a repetition of much unconstitutional and impolitic treatment."

    The Political Victims Association met a week later, at the Paragon Chapel.  Bronterre O'Brien took the Chair.  During discussions, Bezer stated that he was not allowed to see his wife for five months, although a prisoner in the next cell saw his sweetheart every other day―but then the respectability of his crime was no doubt the cause of the difference between them, the fellow having only violated two children under eight years of age.

    By way of advertisement and support, in October, the Victims Committee presented 'A Democrat Concert' at the Two Chairmen, Wardour Street, Soho.  Bezer was in the Chair.  The Northern Star reported that a number of male and female democrats attended to give mirth to the proceedings.  Mr Bezer with his usual drollery turning 'The Victims of '48' into 'The King, God bless him.'  John Arnott and John Bedford Leno gave appropriate recitations.

    From 9 August 1851 having been recommended by F.D. Maurice, he took over as publisher of the Christian Socialist using the office of the Society for Promoting Working Men's Associations, at 183 Fleet Street.  In 1830, William Cobbett had published his Rural Rides from that address, and in 1847, William Edwards, importer of Parisian novelties, occupied the premises.  However, the journal ran into financial difficulties, and was discontinued in December of that year, although reviving temporarily from 3 January to 28 June the following year as the Journal of Association.  That premature curtailment of Bezer's autobiography, as previously mentioned, leaves a gap in his story of some eight years, and he probably intended to continue the autobiography up to the time of his arrest.
 

    At his Fleet Street office/bookshop, he also published the Star of Freedom (change of name from the Star and National Trades' Journal which, previous to that, was the famed Northern Star and National Trades' Journal), from Vol. I, no. 1, 8 May 1852, to Vol. I (new series), no. 4, 4 September 1852.  George Julian Harney took over as publisher from issue no 5.  The Star of Freedom ceased publication from 27 November, and Waller & Son, Booksellers then occupied the bookshop at 183 Fleet Street.

    In 1851, the City Builders were forming an Association, and a Public Meeting was held at the Hall of Science, City Road on 1 December.  Gerald Massey and Frederick Furnivall attended on behalf of the Society for Promoting Working Men's Associations.  Walter Cooper was to have been the principal speaker on their behalf, but he had been injured in a railway accident.  Bezer was also in attendance, and seconded a resolution concerning a general fall in wages with consequent degredation of working men in all trades.  The resolution stated, 'This meeting believes the unrestricted and increasing competition in all branches of productive industry, to be the cause of their fall in wages.'  It was reported (Christian Socialist, 13 December 1851) that Bezer—Publisher to the Society—after giving a humorous defence of the class of distributors to which he had belonged all his life, followed through an argument proposed by Mr. Furnivall in his resolutions.  Bezer emphasised the necessity and duty of association on the highest grounds, and maintained that the only reason which made working men dislike religion was, that the professors of Christianity so seldom acted up to their principles.  He ended by asking what working men would be able to do with association when they had also got the vote, seeing the wonders they had already done without it?

    Bezer also continued with his Chartist activities, and was one of nine elected to serve on the Executive of the National Charter Association for 1852.  In January 1852 he lectured at the Literary Institution, Leicester Place, Little Saffron Hill, on 'Association among the poor; the only remedy for conspiracy among the rich.'

    On 13 February 1852, Bezer's son, John James Bezer, aged 9 months, died of 'Teething Convulsions' at 10 Milford Lane, Strand, St Cement Danes, where the family were then living. Bezer is listed as a 'Bookseller'.

    Following an adjourned Conference on 3 March 1852, the National Reform Association held an evening Aggregate public meeting at St. Martin's Hall, Long Acre.  A number of prominent M.P.'s were present.  During the proceedings, the Chairman, Mr. J. Hume M.P. made several comments that received support from the audience.  One such expressed the tone of the meeting: '...the House of Commons did not represent the people; that the rule was placed in the hands of the aristocracy.  If all classes did not participate in the election of those who formed the House of Commons, it could not be expected that the House of Commons should act fairly towards all classes...'  Sir Charles Napier also called for radical reform, and hoped that when the present Ministry was turned out of office, as he most sincerely hoped, he trusted to see a good Administration composed of real Radical Reformers, who would present a bill worthy of the acceptance of the people of England.

    A resolution was proposed and seconded, "That this meeting believes radical Parliamentary reform to be the great practical want of the day, and, while declaring the maintenance of free trade, records its conviction that freedom of trade would have been impregnable if the suffrage had been placed upon a truly national basis, and that, in common with other equally important questions, free trade can only be finally decided when the House of Commons is made a real representation of the people."

    Bezer, as a working man, rose and proposed as an amendment, the addition of the words:

"That the only principle of Parliamentary reform recognised by this meeting as just is the enactment of manhood suffrage, guaranteed by the ballot, short parliaments, equal electoral districts, no property qualification, and payment of representatives." (Great cheering.)

    He agreed with the greater part of what had been said that evening.  He agreed also that those who were amenable to the laws ought to have a voice in making those laws (cheers); that taxation and representation ought to go together, that it was especially important to the poor man to be represented, which meant, if it meant anything, that if any were to be disenfranchised it was those who could afford to wait, and not those who had waited so long. (Cheers.)  He only wished the gentlemen who had brought forward the resolution would make it as good as their speeches, and that would be done by substituting the word "manhood" for "real."

    Mr. Shaw, from the Tower Hamlets [probably John Shaw who had been imprisoned in Newgate] seconded the amendment.  He observed that, though the Chartists were supposed dormant, their spirit still remained.

    Nevertheless, there was considerable opposition to Bezer's amendment.  George Jacob Holyoake urged its withdrawal, saying that whilst his friends said they did not come there to make division, they did make divisions. (Great clamour.)  He also objected to the word "Manhood" suffrage, when it should also include womanhood suffrage.  Another speaker, on hearing that it was proposed to give votes to the army, asked how the working-men would like to be served as the men on the other side of the Channel had been?  Following further discussion and a show of hands the chairman declared the amendment negatived.

    This opposition by Holyoake to his proposed amendment induced Bezer to write a letter to Harney in the 13 March issue of the Friend of the People:

    This observation by Bezer had also been made by Gerald Massey, and was becoming obvious to all.  It was finally acknowledged at a meeting of the National Charter Association on the 24 March, when it was admitted that it was:

"The Executive of a society almost without members, and without means - members reduced to unwise antagonism without, and influence reduced by repeated resignations within..." [Reynolds' Weekly Newspaper].

    The last two mentions of Bezer was by the Star of Freedom on the 12 and 19 June.  On the 12 June he is listed, amongst others, as giving 2/6d as a subscription to complete the payment of the NCA debt.  On the 19 June he gave another small amount on behalf of the City Western locality.

    About early July 1852, Bezer (as Publisher) was given (another account said he asked for) a cheque by Lord Goderich (George Robinson) the Christian Socialist supporter, in aid of the declining radical publication, the Star of Freedom.  The Star's editor, George Julian Harney, not having received the money, made enquiries via Goderich, who learned that Bezer had fled to Australia in an emigration ship, leaving his wife behind.  Prior to this, Bezer had been officially accepting money orders from subscriptions to the Star of Freedom made payable to him at the Strand Post Office (Star of Freedom, 26 June, 1852).  However, there was no indication of any impropriety in those dealings.

    Gerald Massey was so disgusted at such behaviour by a previous valued upholder of Chartist and Co-operative principles, that he sent an emotive over-coloured optimistic five verse poem encapsulating his opinions on the subject to Harney, for publication in the Star of Freedom:

    Harney did not publish the poem, but Massey included it, shortened and amended, in later editions of his poetical works.

    In 1859, on the 12 October, Bezer's daughter, Emily Drew Bezer was baptised at St. Leonard's Church, Shoreditch.  Parents named as John James Bezer, and Jane Sarah Bezer, residing at 9 Orchard Place, Shoreditch.  Bezer's occupation, Cordwainer.  Orchard Place has not been found on maps.  It was probably within the area N.E. of Finsbury Circus, now redeveloped.  Charles Booth (1898) notes it as being entered from a crooked passage.  Clean, but poor.

    From the above information, there remains the question regarding Bezer's apparent reappearance.

 
1861.

In census records of 1861, one of his sons is listed at:

Felix Street was sited between the east end of Hackney Road and Old Bethnal Green Road.  It was continued as Lower Felix Street for a short distance.  The area has been redeveloped as the Minerva Estate, at the corner of Hackney Road and Cambridge Heath Road.

Also from 1861:

Virginia Row was situated in the area of the present Virginia Street, between Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch High Street and Hackney Road.

This next extract also from the 1861 census is of interest:

But is the entry for John Bezer correct?

1862.

Marriage. It was now the turn of Bezer's son, Francis James to get married. In November that year he married Emma Mander, 23, of John Street, at St James' Church, Shoreditch.  He gave his details as a Bookseller, living at 2, William Street.  His father, John James Bezer, named as a 'Publisher'.  A witness was Bezer's wife, Jane Sarah Bezer.  William Street and John Street were both off Cannon Street, between Whitechapel Road and Cable Street. Now redeveloped.

1865.

Marriage. Bezer's daughter Mary Nelson Bezer—previously noted as an apprentice—was married on 16 April at the Parish Church, Bethnal Green.  Details given as a spinster, minor, of 22 Coleharbour Street, Bethnal Green. Father, John James Bezer, Stationer.  She married George Frederick Fall, a bachelor and shoemaker, of 29 Henrietta Street, Bethnal Green.  Coleharbour (Coldharbour) Street and Henrietta Street not marked on maps, but were in the area between Hackney Road and Old Bethnal Green Road.

1868.

Marriage. At St. James' Church, Shoreditch, 1 March 1868: Bezer's last daughter, Emily Drew Bezer, 24, a Servant, 2 Holywell Row, married John Coe, 29, (of same address) a Leather Seller's Assistant.  John James Bezer, Publisher, stated then as Deceased.  Holywell Row is between Shoreditch High Street and City Road.

1871.

Mary Nelson Fall (Bezer) and family were living with an 8 month son at 29 Church Row, Wandsworth.  John Coe (Leather Seller), Emily Coe (Bezer) with son Francis F. Coe, now living at 84 Nuffield Road, Tower Hamlets.

1875.

Marriage. Walter Cooper Bezer, Occupation 'Collector', married Caroline Mackenzie on 25 January 1875 at St Stephen, Bow, Middlesex.  John James Bezer's occupation given as 'Newsagent'.

1881.

At the time of this census, Walter C. Bezer with his wife, Caroline, daughter Annie, 1, and Harriet Mackenzie, 32, sister-in-law (an unemployed domestic servant) were living then at 6 Cedar Mews, Clapham.  John Coe and wife Emily (Bezer), with Francis 12, and Hilda 6, were at 24 Odessa Road, West Ham.

1891.

George Fall and Mary Nelson Fall (Bezer) had moved to Alpha Cottage, Tovells Road, Ipswich, now with 3 daughters and 3 sons.

    As mentioned previously, according to Lord Goderich, Bezer had fled to Australia, [probably in early July 1852] after asking Goderich for a cheque to help the Star of Freedom.  Harney had written to Goderich, asking what he had done with Bezer, not having received the cheque.  Mrs Bezer had also written, wanting to know what had become of her husband.  John Ludlow commented that he 'levanted' to Australia with another man's wife, leaving his accounts in disorder.  In addition, as a publisher, he had not submitted the required copies of the Christian Socialist to the British Museum Library or other institutions. In Australia, Ludlow stated, he 'went from bad to worse.'

    Goderich soon had another occasion to express his displeasure with Bezer.  Goderich was anxious to obtain a Liberal parliamentary position at Hull, but because of his Chartist and Christian Socialist sympathies, he found himself strongly opposed by the Hull Tories.  With the help of Bezer and other workers who rallied the ships' carpenters and engineers, Goderich was elected on the 8 July 1852.  During the election campaign, Goderich had wondered about some of the methods that had been used, and demand for money made, by his agents.  After Bezer's disappearance, the Hull Tories found that some dubious transactions had taken place, and made official complaints, thus involving Goderich.  However, following a petition and a House of Commons Select Committee Enquiry, the Committee fortunately acquitted Goderich of any personal wrongdoing and knowledge of the unethical activities of his agents.

    Had Bezer disappeared due to receiving Goderich's money?  Alternatively, because of his implication with the underhand methods used during the election campaign and fearing more time in prison, or perhaps both?

    From the last mention of him in 1868, it may be assumed that John James Bezer had died between April/November 1862 and March 1868, but no death certificate has so far been traced, or later census entries found for him or his wife.  The father's name and occupation as given on later documents need not necessarily give the state of 'deceased'.

[PART TWO]