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.

Francis Phillips Eyewitness Account

Met with a party of 1500 reformers at Ardwick Green. They carried two flags and a number of thick sticks. A man carrying one such stick threatened him. Describes the behaviour of the crowd was disturbing, and he ordered his own warehouse to be locked. He argues that it was essential for the magistrates to call in the military, he also suggests that if a ‘bolder commander’ had been in charge of the meeting then Manchester would have been in even greater danger.

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Manufacturer,Merchant

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Charles Routledge O’Downell Eyewitness Account

During the process of dispersing the meeting he saw a pistol fired from the direction of the Quaker meeting house and was then attacked by a man with an iron railing. Believed it would have been more effective for the magistrates to have awaited the arrival of the 15th Hussars, before attempting to disperse the meeting.

Occupation: Lieutenant (15th Hussars)

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Joseph Nadin Eyewitness Account

Testifies to disturbances at the Theatre during Hunt’s visit in January, to previous difficulties delivering warrants within a ‘mob’. This and threats from the crowd persuaded him that the warrant could only be issued with military assistance and refused to deliver the warrants until this was in place. Also claims he was hit by a stone.

Place: Manchester
Role: Officer
Occupation: Deputy Constable

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James Murray Eyewitness Account

Was discovered spying (along with John Shawcross) at White Moss on the 15th of August. Beaten and threatened by drillers, who made him swear that he would take part in ‘no more constabling.’ On the 16th of August he was hissed at by large crowds passing his house. Described events as ‘like a civil war.’

Place: Manchester
Role: Officer
Occupation: Confectioner,Farmer

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John Moore Eyewitness Account

Claims that Manchester and nearby towns had been in a state of increased disturbance since Henry Hunt’s visit in January 2019. Claims the pressure of containing this had affected his mental health. He took time off to be ready to deal with the anticipated problems on the 16th of August. States he was knocked down twice in the pressure of the crowd, the second time by one of the cavalry on a horse.