28th February 1813: A Quaker missionary, Thomas Shillitoe, visits the families of George Mellor, Jonathan Dean & John Walker

A print from an etching of Thomas Shillitoe, which appears in a biography by William Tallack

Thomas Shillitoe was a Quaker minister and missionary, originally from London. In 1812, he had moved to Barnsley, to be close to his widowed daughter, and in early 1813 decided to visit the families of the Luddites executed at York. He began his journey on Sunday 28th February 1813, and his journal, published over 20 years later, describes what took place:

First-day, 28th of 2nd mo. I left Barnsley on foot; reached Paddock meeting-house in due time for meeting, where I met with my companion Joseph Wood. Some close religious labour with our kind friends of this meeting being required of us, a sense of having endeavoured thus far, through holy help, to discharge our duty, afresh animated us to look with confidence for help from this same Divine source, in the prosecution of this arduous engagement before us. At the close of the meeting, Friends were requested to stop, before whom we spread our religious prospects, and presented the minute of our monthly meeting, allowing us to proceed therein. Friends of Paddock meeting being previously informed of our intention, made arrangements for our accommodation.

After dining with our kind friends John and Phoebe Fisher, of Spring-dale, accompanied by John Fisher and Abraham Mallinson, we proceeded to the house of the widow and five children of [Jonathan] Dean, of Long-royd Bridge, who suffered for rioting. The widow's mind appeared to be under very great distress, with her helpless, fatherless children; the oldest child being about eight years, the youngest not more months old. All that was alive in us and capable of feeling for her, plunged as she was into such accumulated distress, we felt to be brought into action. We next visited the widow and three children of John Walker, who suffered for rioting, one of the children an infant at the breast. The feelings of distress awakened in my mind, in sitting down with this family, were such, that I was tempted to conclude human nature could hardly endure to proceed with the visit before us. We endeavoured in both cases to impart such counsel as came before our minds, which we had reason to hope was well received; and that their being thus far noticed, had a tendency, in some small degree, to add a ray of comfort to their deeply-tried minds.

After tea, feeling my bodily strength a little recruited, and my resolutions afresh excited, we proceeded to the mournful house of the parents of [George Mellor], a single young man, and one of those concerned in the murder of the master-manufacturer. We sat with the parents, who are living in a respectable line of life. In this opportunity we had fresh cause to acknowledge holy help was near, furnishing matter suitable to the deeply-tried and afflicted state of mind in which we found them; whilst we endeavoured to be upon our guard that nothing escaped our lips, that should be the means of unnecessarily wounding their feelings. Our visit was thankfully received by both parents, and, as we afterwards understood, was like a morsel of bread at a time when they appeared almost ready to famish. The father acknowledged, the melancholy circumstance had brought their minds into such a tried state, that they had concluded to move to some other part of the country; but our visit had tended to settle them down again in their present place of residence.

3rd September 1812: General Maitland updates the Home Office about the situation in the North

Wakefield
3rd September
1812

My dear Sir

I yesterday received Your’s, of the 31st, and when I originally got Mr. Park's Opinion, it accorded so perfectly with the Fact, of what the Magistrates had done, I did not send it to them, but now having the Attorney and Solicitor Generals Opinion, I will transmit it to them this day, as it must prove satisfactory to their Feelings.—

In addition to what I have heretofore stated, I have only to say, that I believe they are still coming in, where they started, and shall send you the Return when made up to the end of the Week.

In one instance too, 32 Men being Colliers of the Duke of Bridgewaters, and not connected with the Mottram District have come in, but this is the solitary instance, as not a Man in Manchester, and all that immense Neighbourhood have stired.

I went to Sheffield as I stated, and yesterday Morning four Men composing a Secret Committee at Barnsley, were seized by Warrant from the Magistrates of Sheffield, they were examined by Stuart Wortley, and committed to Sheffield, for further examination on Friday. He believes the truth of the original information which will attach capitally to two of them, I think it is the strongest I have seen, but what I want to see, is the effect it has in bringing in others, on this I shall be able to inform you in a day or two.—

I am sorry to say at Huddersfield and in its Neighbourhood, there are still some instances of Nocturnal Plunder, particularly in the Arm Ways and that we get on very slow indeed for want of Information, a short time I hope will however let us into it, as we have got a good number of People now at Work.—

I am [etc]
T Maitland

[To] John Becket Esqr.
&c &c &c

2nd September 1812: Four weavers seized at Barnsley for administering & taking Illegal Oaths

Thomas Broughton, a weaver from Barnsley, had become involved with the local Luddites some time ago. Although it is unclear what had driven him to do so, in June 1812 he had approached Major Seale of the South Devon Militia and offered to obtain information for the authorities. Not long afterwards, Broughton met with the local magistrate and MP for the rotten borough of Bossiney, James Stuart Wortley, who directed him on what would be needed for the authorities to act.

By Tuesday 1st September, Stuart Wortley considered he had sufficient reason to issue warrants for the arrest of four men, and the following day they were arrested: the men were Craven Cookson, John Eadon, Stephen Kitchenman & William Thompson, all weavers from Barnsley.

30th April 1812: Troop movements

On Thursday 30th April 1812, a squadron of the 15th Hussars marched into Leeds, whilst one troop each of the same regiment were also placed in Barnsley and Wakefield.

15th April 1812: Disturbances in Barnsley

The Leeds Mercury of 18th April 1812 carried a brief report about disturbances in Barnsley on Wednesday 15th April:

On Wednesday (the market day) at Barnsley, a disposition to riot manifested itself; the cause of complaint alledged, was the high price of provisions, particularly potatoes. In consequence of an express sent to G. W. Wentworth, Esq. the magistrate, who, knowing that the Wakefield Royal Volunteers were that day on duty, sent orders to them and the Wakefield troop of Yeomanry Cavalry to prepare immediately to set out for Barnsley. The latter commenced their march with all expedition, but were met on the road by a messenger, informing them that the civil power alone had succeeded in allaying the tumult. They immediately returned, and stopped the infantry, just ready to commence their march.