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.

James Tomlinson Petitioner

Petition of James Tomlinson of Oldham. Fell in crowd and sabred by Yeoman Cavalry while lying on the ground. Deep wound to head.

  • Place: Oldham
  • Role: Injured,Petitioner,Spectator
  • Occupation: Hatter
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Ann Whitaker Petitioner

Petition of Ann Whitaker of Manchester. Trampled by cavalry, three broken ribs and right arm crushed. Disabled for eight months.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Injured,Petitioner,Spectator
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Thomas William Sanderson Eyewitness Account

Attended meeting briefly; felt no alarm whilst he was there.

  • Occupation: Merchant
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William Rooke Eyewitness Account

Saw a number of attacks on troops on the field, and further testifies that his own horse was struck with a gardening hook.

  • Occupation: Private '15th Hussars'
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Thomas Whittenbury Ollivant Eyewitness Account

Testifies to slowing of trade on 16th August as felt the need to close up shop for fear of disturbance.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Spectator
  • Occupation: Sliversmith
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