Stamford has been known for many things: the Bull Run, Mid-Lent Fair and its array of beautiful, listed Georgian buildings. However, in 1811, it was also the place where a Jewish man was caught and accused of eating Pork.
“An extraordinary inquiry is likely to engage the next court of quarter sessions for Boston, in matter of indictment for an assault commited in the Jewish synagogue in that town one day last week. – Whilst the Rabbi was engaged in his religious duties, one of the circumcised fraternity, a travelling pen-cutter, interrupted the solemnities, and reproached him (the Rabbi) with the sin of eating pork at Stamford some time ago! A warm altercation ensued; and in the end the accuser was thrust out of the assembly, in such a way as induced him to apply to the magistrates for warrants against three of the persons who put him forth (named Moses, Israel, and Solomon), for an assault. The warrants were granted, and the parties, we are informed, have since been bound in recognizances to appear at the sessions.”
Stamford Mercury, 7 June 1811.