WITNESSES
& TESTIMONY
From about 2014 a dedicated group of researchers, under the guidance of Dr. Robert Poole have been searching through Home Office Papers, reading countless documents including letters, petitions, written testimonies and newspaper articles to further identify people who were present at Peterloo, the injuries they sustained and what they saw.
This research is now freely available to the general public in the form of a fully searchable spreadsheet. In all, this database now contains information on over 1200 individuals, and as research continues this number is still growing.
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In due course transcripts of every single witness statement will be made available for study.
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Until then, the names of witnesses can be found by using the filters on the spreadsheet
An extract from the full spreadsheet is reproduced below, showing the names and other details of the Magistrates who viewed the events of 16th August 1819
Ethelston Charles Wickstead of Smedley Lane, Clergyman.
Held the living of St Mark's, Cheetham Hill. Born in Manchester. Magistrate. Fellow of the Collegiate Church.
Controlled a large network of spies and reported reformist activities extensively to the Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth.
Witness in the Redford v Birley case.
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Mr Fielden of Withington Lodge Withington. Magistrate
One of the group assembled in Mr. Buxton's house in Mount Street.
Ralph Fletcher Magistrate
One of the group assembled in Mr. Buxton's house in Mount Street.
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William Robert Ackworth Hay of Yorkshire. Clergyman and Ex-barrister.
Rector of Yorkshire town of Ackworth. Magistrate.
Chairman of Salford Quarter Sessions. Prolific in his correspondence with the Home Office.
Witness in the Redford v Birley case.
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William Hulton of Hulton Park Bolton Landed Gentleman, Chairman of the Magistrates.
High Sheriff of Lancashire.
Little previous involvement in local judicial affairs.
Witness at Hunt's trial and also in the Redford v Birley case.
Issued the warrant for Hunt's arrest.
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Thomas Jackson of 17 George Street Manchester. Magistrate
Reported to the Home Office the events of the day and also the previous day at White Moss
Rev Mr Mallory. Magistrate
One of the group assembled in Mr. Buxton's house in Mount Street.
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Mr Marriott of Prestwich. Magistrate
One of the group assembled in Mr. Buxton's house in Mount Street.
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James Norris. St James's Square Manchester. Barrister and Stipendiary Magistrate of Manchester.
Steward of the Manor of Manchester.
Along with Hulton, Hay and Ethelston, one of the leading group of magistrates involved with Peterloo.
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J Silvester. Magistrate
One of the group assembled in Mr. Buxton's house in Mount Street.
Mr. Tatton. Magistrate
One of the group assembled in Mr. Buxton's house in Mount Street.
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Trafford Trafford. of Oughtrington Hall Cheshire. Magistrate
Accompanied L'Estrange on the ground at the meeting.
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Mr Wheeler. Magistrate
Told by Town Constable Jonathan Andrew that the serving of Hunt's warrant would need military assistance.
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Mr Wright of Flixton. Magistrate
One of the group assembled in Mr. Buxton's house in Mount Street.
Later read the Riot Act at New Cross.
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THOSE PRESENT ON THE HUSTINGS. * DENOTES ARRESTED.
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HENRY HUNT *- Chairman
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JOHN KNIGHT* - Cotton manufacturer and reformer
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JOSEPH JOHNSON* Founder of the Manchester Patriotic Union. Reformer and publisher.
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MARY FILDES - Chair of the Manchester Female Reform Society.
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RICHARD CARLISLE - Sherwin's Political Register.
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JOHN THACKER SAXTON -Manchester Observer.
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JOHN TYAS - Reporter from The Times.
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JOHN SMITH - Editor of the Liverpool Mercury.
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EDWARD BAINES JUNIOR. - Reporter from The Leeds Mercury
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CHARLES WRIGHT - Reporter from The Courier
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GEORGE SWIFT.
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DOCTOR HEALEY.
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