31st January 1813: Captain Francis Raynes reports a manufacturer is still intimidated by Luddism

Mills Bridge 31st January
1813

Sir

I have great satisfaction in having the Honor to report to you the perfect tranquillity which has prevailed in this part of the Country since the Detachments were withdrawn, altho it is still too evident the turbulent spirit is not destroyed, yet it is sufficiently subdued if the Inhabitants would exert themselves to ensure future quiet and good order but tho’ they know they have nothing but their own vigilance to depend upon, they are relaxing most materially in their exertions for the preservation of the peace—In those places where Associations had been formed, during the last week several have been given up. I have convers’d with many people on the subject, and find them all agreed in one point, that it is fear causes their backwardness, but they say were they under proper regulations, well arm’d and could go out six or seven in a body, they would not be afraid of doing their duty—

Immediately on the Troops being withdrawn, I heard a report that Mr. Lindsey of Gildersome intended taking down his Shears, and to advertise that he had done so—I wrote a Note to enquire if this really was his intention, his answer I have the Honor to enclose, I have since been over to Gildersome, but did not offer any advice on the subject, I merely said, taking Shears down would shew too much fear of the Croppers, he acknowledged it would be cowardly and seems more determined to [keep] them going—

I am sorry to observe Sir, the people here [evince] no disposition to avail themselves of the Pardon offer’d by his Majesty on the contrary, one of the Proclamations was torn down a very little time after it was posted up

I have [etc]
Francis Raynes Captn
Stirling &c Militia

To
Major General Acland
&c. &c. &c.

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—]

7th September 1812: Shearing frames destroyed at Gildersome, near Morley

In the second attack in the West Riding within three days, Luddites were at work at a mill in Gildersome, near Morley in the early hours of Monday 7th September 1812.

At 1.00 a.m., a group of Luddites arrived at the woollen mill belonging to Richard Lindsey & Sons. The doors were broken open, and 17 pairs of shears, along with shearing frames they were mounted on, were destroyed. No lights were lit and the whole action was concluded within 20 minutes.

The premises had been regularly guarded by the military until the lifting of the Orders in Council by government some weeks ago, when the available work increased and it was assumed they would be safe.