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.

William Leigh Eyewitness Account

  • Occupation: Factory Worker
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Sarah Lees Eyewitness Account

  • Place: Oldham
  • Role: Spectator
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Robert Lees Eyewitness Account

An account from the father of John Lees, a young man who died from injuries sustained at Peterloo. Observed closely the health and demeanour
of his son before and after the events at St Peter’s Field.

  • Place: Oldham
  • Role: Spectator
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William Mackilroy Eyewitness Account

Arrived at the St Peter’s Field at 10-11am. Stayed until the Constables started attacking people with truncheons. Saw a few people fall as cavalry moved in. Claims there was no attack from the crowd.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Demonstrator
  • Occupation: Weaver
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John Lee Eyewitness Account

At St Peter’s Field on the 16th of August. Was cut by Captain Birley at the meeting.

  • Place: Manchester
  • Role: Injured
  • Occupation: Patten Drawer
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Enormous thanks to our partners and funders