Eyewitness Accounts

Eyewitness Accounts

To commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre the Peterloo 2019 Ambassadors have worked in partnership with Professor Robert Poole (University of Central Lancashire), author of Peterloo: the English Uprising and the Age of Revolution at University of Kent to compile the 400+ eyewitness accounts which include press reports and petitions.

This is the first time the original accounts have been compiled into an online archive. You can now use the website to search by name, place and role and learn more about the eyewitness accounts from 1819.

John Horsefield Eyewitness Account

Had attended many demonstrations, but “rather regrets” going to Peterloo rather than have lunch with his friend.

  • Place: Bury,Prestwich
  • Role: Spectator
  • Occupation: Botanist
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John Galloway Eyewitness Account

Written late in life (approx 1890) Mr Galloway remembers Peterloo, which he witnessed as a 15 year old boy.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Spectator
  • Occupation: Engineer
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James Boles Petitioner

Demonstrated for defective state of government. Was forcibly chased, cornered and attacked by Cavalry.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Demonstrator
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James Greaves Petitioner

Petitioner attended the meeting and claimed that most people did no wrong, and were peaceful – he was stabbed in his right side.

  • Place: Hollins,Oldham
  • Role: Demonstrator,Injured
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James Chisnall Petitioner

1821 petition about his experience of being sabred and trampled on during the meeting at SPF.

  • Place: Oldham,Royton
  • Role: Demonstrator,Injured
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