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.

John Haywood Eyewitness Account

Attacked as a suspected spy by David Kay of Ashton-under-Lyne at White Moss on the 15th of August. Threatened again on his way to the meeting on the 16th. Denies being employed as a spy by Constable Andrew.

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Husbandry

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James Heap Eyewitness Account

Testifies to being alarmed by drillings near his home at Stakehill in Thornham, near Middleton from July 1819 onwards. He thought participants were practicing the ‘art of war’. Names Bamford and James Mills as commanders and Edward Cocker as a participant.

Place: Rochdale
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Farmer

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Robert Dean Eyewitness Account

Soldier on Half Pay. Saw 200-300 people drilling in squads at Cockey Moor on 7 August. Testifies to them using the same drill as regular soldiers.

Occupation: Soldier

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Issac Dobson Eyewitness Account

Saw 150-200 people drilling at Cockey Moor on the 7th of August.

Place: Bolton
Role: Spectator
Occupation: Machine Maker

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William Harrison Eyewitness Account

Walked from Oldham with wife and child. From the higher side of the hustings he saw a disorganised cavalry advance, with the yeomanry cutting people with their swords and constables tearing down banners. Talks about women and girls in white walking. Drilling on Oldham Edge. There is also mention of a play in Oldham, recreating events of the day.