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.

Thomas Blinstone Petitioner

Injuried by calvary charge caused 9 weeks in infirmary of this 74 year old and resulted in incapacity to work again.

Place: Manchester
Role: Demonstrator,Injured,Petitioner
Occupation: Blacksmith

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Thomas Blenstone Petitioner

Injuries sustained at Peterloo caused incapacity to work resulting in becoming an inmate at Warrington Workhouse.

Place: Manchester
Role: Demonstrator,Injured,Petitioner

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Thomas Jackson Eyewitness Account

21/8/1819 Letter from Jackson to Francis Freeling re events of the week including the Thursday meeting approving the actions of the magistrates.

Second of two letters describing events at SPF.

Place: Manchester
Role: Officer
Occupation: Police Constable

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Thomas Jackson Eyewitness Account

7pm 16/8/1819 Letter from Jackson to Home Office re events. No one would have been hurt if the mob had not assailed the Military and Civil Authorities.

First of two letters describing events at SPF.