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.

William Garety Petitioner

He was knocked down and received a sabre blow to the back of the neck. After being trampled, was able to drag himself to a nearby yard, where he and others were later chased back out again.

Place: Manchester
Role: Demonstrator,Injured,Petitioner

Find out more

William Cheetham Petitioner

Petitioner describes the attack and the wounds he received. Had been in the Lancashire militia during the Napoleonic Wars.

Place: Bolton
Role: Demonstrator,Injured,Petitioner
Occupation: Weaver

Find out more

William Bromeley Petitioner

Petitioner briefly describes the attack on the crowd and the wounds he sustained.

Place: Manchester
Role: Demonstrator,Injured,Petitioner

Find out more

William Booth Petitioner

Injured by intoxicated Calvary one known to him as Benson.

Place: Manchester
Role: Demonstrator,Injured,Petitioner

Find out more

William Chippendale Letter

16/8/1819 Report form Chippendale to Byng about training activities and information about instructions given to those attending the meeting from Oldham.