David Dawson Petitioner

• Place: Oldham,Saddleworth
• Role: Petitioner
• Occupation: Yeoman

Petition of David Dawson and this three brothers. Dawson’s son, Edmund died as a result of two sword cuts to his head at Peterloo.

Account

Download account

Petition of David Dawson of Strines Dale

House of Commons, Votes and Proceedings, 29 November 1819

 

A Petition of David Dawson, yeoman of Strines Dale, in Saddleworth, Yorkshire, and John Dawson, Samuel Dawson, and James Dawson, brothers to the there-underwritten Edmund Dawson, and read; setting forth, That Edmund Dawson, son to the said David Dawson, yeoman, went to Manchester on the 16^th August last, in good health, in order to attend a legal meeting for Parliamentary Reform; the Petitioners believe that the said Edmund Dawson conducted himself as a good subject, in a peaceable and lawful manner; that he received two strokes on the head, with the edge of a sword, by one of the cavalry, near the hustings, whilst endeavouring to make his escape; that he was taken to the Infirmary Manchester, but was not conscious of any event after receiving the latter stroke, till the morning following, which said information he delivered to the said Samuel Dawson, in the presence of the governess of the said hospital; the Petitioners beg leave to state, that the said Edmund Dawson died on the Tuesday but two following; that the Jury, who sat on his body, gave in their verdict, that he died from a cut with a sharp instrument, but could not tell by whom, although several who were seen cutting on Saint Peter’s Field are known; the Petitioners had been taught to believe that there was a constitutional doctrine, that every wrong had its remedy; and seeing that the Jury had found no such remedy, the Courts of Law having not interfered, in the most impressive manner beg the House immediately (prior to the adopting Bills calculated to widen the unhappy differences), to institute a full and impartial inquiry into the above outrage by the Military and Civil Power, by which some were slaughtered, and hundreds wounded (as they conceived under the protection of the Law and Constitution), by so doing, justice may be awarded to the guilty, and the Land cleared from the foul stain of blood.

Back to list