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.

Roger Entwistle Eyewitness Account

4/10/18 Statement about the events of 16/8/1819 including seeing brickbats thrown and pistol fire.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Spectator
  • Occupation: Gentleman
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Major Dyneley Eyewitness Account

Report of Major Dyneley 4 pm 17/8/1819 on the Battle of Manchester and defeat of the Enemy.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Military
  • Occupation: Major
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John Stavely Barratt Eyewitness Account

Ordered to look after a Green Flag and Crimson Silk one by magistrate Trafford Trafford, also claims to have been hit by Brickbats.

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Jonathon Andrew Eyewitness Account

7/10/1819 Statement about events on 15-16/8/1819 including marching practice – nor did he see anyone injured by sabres.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Officer
  • Occupation: Police Constable
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Charles Wright Eyewitness Account

Detailed statement as seen from the area of the Hustings, describing the arrivals and activities on St Peter’s Field.

  • Place: Elsewhere
  • Role: Injured,Press
  • Occupation: Reporter 'The Courier' (London)
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Enormous thanks to our partners and funders