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.

Thomas Kelly Petitioner

Was rode down and trampled, knee crushed, when home taken by police to prison at Bailey Prison.

Place: Manchester
Role: Injured,Petitioner

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Alice Kearsley Petitioner

Seventy-two year old, believes Yeomanry were intoxicated, slashed at almost looses ear, took nine days to get medical attention.

Place: Bolton,Manchester
Role: Injured,Petitioner

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Joseph Jones Petitioner

Assembled crowd at St Peter’s church was peaceful and orderly when yeomanry attacked without provocation, received sabre slash to face and trample wounds to legs.

Place: Irlam,Oldham
Role: Injured,Petitioner
Occupation: Cotton Spinner

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Edward Jones Petitioner

Recounts unprovoked attack, at Peterloo received only a bruised hand, later when home, infantry fired (presumably not directly) towards him and received a musket ball in thigh.