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.

Robert Wood Eyewitness Account

Saw some of the processions arrive at SPF. Felt no alarm, did not feel it necessary to close his shutters. Did not see any attack on the constables from the crowd. Did not hear Hunt tell crowd to ‘put them down’ in reference to the soldiers.

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Chemist

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John Willey Eyewitness Account

Witnessed conversations in Slater’s pub relating to meeting of the 16^th. ‘Johnson talked about the preparations making for the 16th. The artillery to be brought up. &c, and laughed at it.’

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Butcher

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Joseph Watson Eyewitness Account

Was not present at SPF. Attests to peaceable conduct of Oldham division, but rest of lengthy cross examination not recorded.

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John Walker Eyewitness Account

Special Constable in the party that dispersed the crowd at SPF. Gives detailed account of the 16^th, including quotes from members of the crowd. Of the opinion that the meetings of 9^th and 16^th were both illegal. ‘The crowd so assembled was calculated to overawe, to intimidate, and to create fear and alarm in the minds of the people of the town. This was the impression on my mind.’

Place: Manchester
Role: Officer
Occupation: Attorney,Special Constable

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Sidney Walker Eyewitness Account

Saw the meeting at SPF. Saw no resistance made by the crowd. Never saw Hunt in company of other reformers (particularly Carlile). ‘Mr. Carlile’s trial had not then come on, and I must presume a man to be innocent until he is found guilty.’