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.

Henry Kirkman Eyewitness Account

Kirkman testifies that Col. Fletcher, a magistrate from Bolton, was mixing with the constables and ‘striking the people’.

Occupation: Cotton Weaver

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James Whowill Eyewitness Account

A bad tempered cross examination at the Trial of John Lees, revealing evidence of cavalry & constables’ aggression towards Lees who died as a result of injuries sustained at Peterloo.

Place: Oldham,Royton
Role: Demonstrator
Occupation: Cotton Weaver

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Betty Ireland Eyewitness Account

Witness to the injuries of John Lees sustained on St Peter’s Field. Closely observed the open wounds and bruising on the body of Lees who dies within days of the events in Manchester.

Place: Oldham
Role:
Occupation: Shoemaker's Wife

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Thomas Hopkins Eyewitness Account

Witness at the Trial of John Lees. Testifies only to the nature of the meeting from 11.00am on 16th August, but is dismissed by the coroner.

Occupation: Picture Framer

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William Harrison Eyewitness Account

Local associate of John Lees who was present at St.Peter’s Field during the massacre, which he describes vividly; “At Waterloo there was man to man, but at Manchester it was downright murder.”