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.

Joseph Chadwick Eyewitness Account

Testified during the Lees Inquest. Witnessed the post-mortem examination of John Lees, performed by Dr Cox. States that Cox claimed Lees injuries were the cause of death.

Place: Oldham
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Hatter

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Ann Hamilton Eyewitness Account

Testified at Lees Inquest. Witnessed the alarm of the crowd and suffered personal injury.

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Matilda Pearson Eyewitness Account

Matilda was not present at St Peter’s Field on the 16th of August, but claims officers tried to bride her to testify against Henry Hunt.

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator

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William Basnett Eyewitness Account

Testified in the Lees Inquest. Basnett was the Medical practitioner who examined Lees’ body concluding the death was due to cuts & trauma from a blunt instrument. He also witnessed the violence in St. Peter’s field.

Place: Oldham
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Medical Practitioner

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George Barlow Eyewitness Account

Saw many people assemble and cheer at the police offices on Deansgate. Saw people with banners and sticks shouldered like muskets. He closed his shop out of alarm.