Record Number: 1915

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Witness statements in trial for tax offences: Jane Fuller: "I can neither read nor write; I had occasion to send a letter, and told Griffiths of it, he offered to write, and took pen and paper -I told him the persons name and my business, and he completed the letter and read it to me, it contained what I wanted, and answered my purpose very well, it was sent, and I received a very satisfactory answer. I have known him nine years -I have heard him read a story book, which was very entertaining, there was the names of fishes of the sea, and animals on the earth; I do not recollect the name of anything but the rattle snake." Q: "How long ago was this?" Fuller: "About nine years; it was at his house in Green parish -Ann Siders, his present wife was with him -I frequently called there, as I knew the people; it was one o'clock in the afternoon; he read an hour, or perhaps more, and told me the meanings of the things he read, about beasts, fishes and creeping things on earth..."

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 1 Jan 1812 and 31 Dec 1812

Country:

England

Time

daytime: 1pm

Place:

city: Green parish, Kent
location in dwelling: his house

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

passive reactive unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

George Griffiths

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Labourer (agricultural)

Occupation:

farmer's labourer

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

n/a

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

June Fuller, wife of labourer, and perhaps others, including his wife, Ann Sidders

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

Title:

n/a

Genre:

Fiction

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

owned

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Source Information:

Record ID:

1915

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Information:

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, 1 August 2006), 6 June 1821, Trial of James West, William Beer, John Richardson, Thomas Richardson, William Williams and Thomas Webster (t18210606-54)

Additional Information:

n/a

Citation:

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, 1 August 2006), 6 June 1821, Trial of James West, William Beer, John Richardson, Thomas Richardson, William Williams and Thomas Webster (t18210606-54), http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=1915, accessed: 28 April 2025

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Additional Comments:

None