Mary Jones Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Spectator

Saw no insult offered by either Yeomanry or crowd at SPF. Saw a woman crushed to death by the pressure of the crowd.

Account

Download account

Mary Jones, by Mr. Hunt—Her husband is a fustian-cutter, her age is forty two; lives in Windmill-street, joining St. Peter's Plain; was at home on the 16th of August last; could see all that passed there that day; she can never forget it. The house was in view of Buxton's and the hust­ings; saw the different parties arrive; saw Mr. Hunt and the Yeomanry arrive. No one in the neighbourhood was insulted by any of these parties; she felt no alarm at their appearances. Did not hear any of her neighbours express any until the cavalry came. Saw the cavalry come, and go to­wards the hustings. Her eyes were upon them all the time they were going from Buxton's to the hustings. There was no opposition made to them by the crowd. Her situation was such, that if there had, she would have seen it. Saw no stones or brickbats thrown at them. Saw no sticks held up against them by the crowd, or any injury done to any of them. If any had, she would have seen it. Instead of resting, the people fled. A great many of them could not get away; they pressed against the rail of her house; and a woman killed before her door. This was from the pressure.

Back to list