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.

David Jacques Eyewitness Account

Walked with Middleton contingent, but did not consider himself one of them. Saw people drilling in Middleton. Saw Yeomanry arrive, but not striking people. Then he was forced back by the pressure of the crowd.

Place: Rochdale
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Weaver

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William Haworth Eyewitness Account

On St Peter’s Field between the hustings and Quaker Meeting House. Saw the yeomanry waving their swords about at the hustings. Stated he was wounded in his side.

Place: Bury
Role: Demonstrator,Injured

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William Entwistle Eyewitness Account

Carried the flag for the Bury contingent. Wounded on the field, close to the hustings with the flag down by him. Provides information on drilling in Bury.

Place: Bury
Role: Demonstrator,Injured
Occupation: Weaver

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John Harmer Eyewitness Account

Testifies to peacefulness of the meeting. Saw the Yeomanry cutting people at the hustings.

Place: Bury
Role: Demonstrator
Occupation: Weaver

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John Davenport Eyewitness Account

Went to the metting alone. Was hit with a mace near the hustings and took refuge on the hustings. Received cut and was bleeding. Escaped when he saw a gap in the military.