Eyewitness Accounts

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 Buckley Eyewitness Account

Was at White Moss on the 15th of August, saw people practicing drill and was asked to join in, claims he only did so out of fear.

  • Place: Chadderton
  • Role: Spectator
  • Occupation: Seasonal Shearer,Weaver
Find out more

James Chisnell Eyewitness Account

  • Place: Lancaster,Royton
  • Role: Injured
  • Occupation: Weaver
Find out more

Thomas Bowker Eyewitness Account

  • Place: Lancaster
  • Role: Injured
Find out more

Joseph Barrett Eyewitness Account

  • Place: Failsworth
  • Role: Spectator
  • Occupation: Manufacturer
Find out more

Enormous thanks to our partners and funders