John Horsefield Eyewitness Account

• Place: Bury,Prestwich
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Botanist

Had attended many demonstrations, but “rather regrets” going to Peterloo rather than have lunch with his friend.

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John Horsefield

 

“With politics I had little to do practically; but in 1816, after the war was over – an event which I had been taught to look for the restoration of good trade – finding myself disappointed – that year of dear provisions and no work turned all my neighbours, as well as myself, into a kind of politicians. ‘Parliamentary reform’ was the cry.  I attended several meetings, convened for that specific purpose, in that year, and for a few years after. I attended one at Bury; one at Middleton, at which Mr. Samuel Bamford presided. I was also at Peterloo, Manchester, on the 16^th August 1819, as a spectator; but had nothing to do with any procession. I was there at noon; and Mr. E. Hobson, who lived then in Tassle-street, Manchester, coming on the ground in the dinner hour, saw me. ‘”ell, John’, he says, ‘are you here?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Come, go with me and get your dinner.’ ‘No.’ I said, ‘I think of stopping here and watching the proceedings.’ But I rather regretted not going with him afterwards, when I had to leave the ground so very precipitately. That was the last political meeting I ever attended. I still read much upon the subject, but have nothing to do with any party. In 1819 I became possessed of a garden …”

 

MCL MS F 942.72 H71 (3 vols). Harland Scrapbooks I.92, Manchester Guardian 2 March 1850 and after. 2-part autobiography of John Horsefield, botanist, of Prestwich, now in 58^th year (b.1792). Written 10-12 years ago for Wheeler of the Chronicle, also in Prestwich, who never collected it.

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