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.

Alexander Anderson Eyewitness Account

Helped organise the meeting. Forgetful or evasive. Does not recall much detail of the meeting

Place: Manchester
Role: Demonstrator
Occupation: Weaver

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Hugh Cholmondeley Eyewitness Account

Saw the Yeomanry advance on the Hustings, with stones thrown at them as they advanced, but they did not respond. Claims to not have seen anyone be injured but he did see some wounded people on the ground.

Place: Knutsford
Role: Spectator

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William Cheetham Eyewitness Account

Was at St Peter’s Field, saw the yeomanry strike people with their swords, and was struck himself by a trumpeter.

Place: Bolton
Role: Injured
Occupation: Weaver

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John Chadwick Eyewitness Account

At White Moss on the 15th of August, where he observed people drilling, and at St Peter’s Field on the 16th, left as the Cavalry arrived.

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Shoemaker

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George Burgess Eyewitness Account

Member of the Yeomanry in 1819, states that they advanced on the Hustings with swords drawn, but swords were not used until after the speakers had been taken away when stones were thrown.