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 Holdstock Eyewitness Account

Testifies to closing the warehouse due to concerns of possible disturbance. Many other businesses in the street of all warehouses also closed. Saw large contingents of people in Shude Hill and Moseley Street, some with flags, colours, music and the cap of liberty..

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Book Keeper

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George Read Eyewitness Account

Had not believed that drilling had taken place until he saw the contingent arrive at the meeting. Considered it had the appearance of an intention to cause a riot and it was essential that military intervention was therefore essential. Saw the cavalry, though did not see them attack anyone. Saw stones thrown after the cavalry as they passed. He had passed through the crowd hiself unconcerned for his personal safety, prior to the dispersal of the meeting.

Place: Cheshire
Role: Spectator

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Joseph Prestwich Eyewitness Account

Testifies to seeing Redford cut in the shoulder by a soldier who he identifies as Oliver. He was slightly injured himself close to the hustings, where he saw an old man cut and a woman cut in the breast.

Place: Tameside
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Cotton Weaver

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Thomas Preston Eyewitness Account

Testifies to the crowd being ‘peaceable and decorous’. Saw the cavalry attacking the crowd as they tried to escape near the Quaker meeting house. Cannot swear if it was the Manchester Yeomanry or a different regiment.

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Gentleman of Property

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Edmund Pilling Eyewitness Account

He was instructed to go to The Broad Field, close to Rochdale churchyard, by Mr Crossley. He saw drilling and an observer attempted to recruit him to join those drilling. He reported this to Mr Crossley and was then sworn in as a special constable supporting the Rochdale police.