7th September 1812: The Reverend Hammond Roberson reports the Luddite attack at Gildersome to the authorities

On the morning of Monday 7th September, the Reverend Hammond Roberson of Liversedge exchanged notes with Mr Lindsey, whose shearing frames had been attacked earlier that morning by Luddites at his mill at Gildersome. Roberson forwarded his reply to General Acland:

Respecd Frnd

In answer to a few lines received by a boy of yours have to say that I was awakened this morning about one Oclock by a dreadful noise has if a number of men were breaking into our premises but on looking out of the window I was convinced the Luddites were come upon us has I soon heard them very distinctly breaking the Shears and in about ten or fifteen minutes all were again silent I heard no shouting or fireing of guns whatever consequently I concluded they were but few in number I soon got a light and walked out into the Mill and found our Shears and dressing Machinery very much broken apparently with hammers and pickaxes—we are now almost at a loss what to do as there are no Soldiers in this neighbourhood and it appears evident that nothing but force of arms will secure our property

And remain
Respectfully
W Lindsey

[Note by Hammond Roberson: “The note on the other pages of this is written by Mr. W. Lindsey of Gilderham. in answer to my note to him of this day’s date.”

H: Roberson
Healds Hall
7. Sepr 1812—]

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This letter can be found at HO 40/2/3.