John Barlow Eyewitness Account

• Place: Middleton,Rochdale
• Role: Demonstrator
• Occupation: Weaver

Saw Bamford’s speech at Barrowfields before joining procession to SPF. States that procession was split into sever companies. States women and children joined procession. ‘I saw no one insulted by the way, nor on St. Peter’s Field.’

Account

Download account

John Barlow, examined by Mr. Bamford — I am a weaver residing at Middleton; I am a married man; I recollect the people assembling the Barrow-fields on the 16th of August; you addressed them. You com­menced by calling them, “friends and neighbours.” (The only difference between this witness and the last, respecting Bamford's speech, was that the latter heard him (Bamford) exhort the people to proceed to Man­chester as in the performance of a solemn duty). I went to the meeting with you. I saw no one insulted by the way, nor on St. Peter’s Field. I saw you on the ground when you sat on the field. You went upon the hustings, remained there about five minutes, and then came down again and stood not far from me, opening an avenue between the people. I saw Mr. Hunt arrive; at that time you were not upon the hustings; you stood near to me; you were not upon the hustings while Mr. Hunt remained. I stood at about fifty yards from the hustings. The Middleton party had two banners.

Cross-examined by Sergeant Cross. —I have no knowledge of any Committee. I did not meet the day before the meeting of the 6th. I had no connection with any meeting. I had nothing to do with the Oldham party before that day. I was once on the Tandle Hill—it was on the Sun­day but one before the meeting. I went there between six and seven in the morning. There might be 600 or 800 persons present, or perhaps more. They were what I call being in companies when I saw them, pos­sibly about 30 in each company. I do not know how many companies there were. I do not think there were 100 companies, perhaps there might have been. Those who passed me bad companies. I heard the words “march” and "halt.” I waited until they were dismissed, which was about eight o'clock. Before that they were all in one line. I do not know any of the leaders. I do not know now whether the man who gave the command was in our party to Manchester on the 16th. I heard of drilling, and I went to Tandle Hill out of curiosity. I rather doubted that there was any before I saw it. They had no sticks. I have been in the Local Militia, and have seen soldiers drilled. The drilling there was the same, as far as marching and halting. I did not see much counter­marching. I fell into the ranks at Middleton. I cannot say who the man was that formed the hollow square. I have never seen him since. When the word of command was given, I had no occasion to move. I heard from rumour that there was to be a muster on the Barrowfields on the 16th. I live there. I saw Bamford before. I saw him mount the chair, and fell us how to conduct ourselves. I do not know that he assumed the command; those who were not commanders got laurel, as well as those who were I got none. Those who went to the chair got some. We got no instructions from anyone but Bamford. The man by whom the square was formed, did not mount the chair. I took no notice of him. I do not know who formed us into line again. I understand that we were to meet several other divisions at Manchester. I do not recollect Bamford saying, that if there was to be any thing to do, it would be after we got back. He cautioned us against going into public-houses. I did not take my wife with me, I must have gone to Manchester on an errand, even had there been no procession on that day. We halted at Harphur Hey, and after that, we did not halt till we got upon the ground. We joined those whom we found there, and remained stationary,

Re-examined by Mr. Bamford. —Barrowfields is a public place. There were 200 or 300 women and children standing by as spectators on the morn­ing of the 16th. There were many spectators on Tandle Hill. The training was quite public. There appeared to be no secrecy. As we came back from it we came by the high road, the people who were on the hill marched through Middleton. We proceeded a mile and a half at least on the public highway. There were many women and children attending the party to Manchester on the 16th. I knew some of them to be related to persons in the procession; it seemed to be a pleasure to them. I never before appeared in a Court of Justice to give evidence,

To questions by the Judge. —I did not see any of the women in Man­chester, but I saw them near the town. I had no thoughts about taking my wife there; she had something to do at home. She did not express a wish to go.

Back to list