21st September 1812: The Manufacturer, Francis Vickerman, sends another letter to General Acland at Huddersfield

General Ackland

Sir

I am afraid to make my Self troublesome to you. the Only Object I have in vue his that (through your Ability and Exertions) our Neighbourhood may be brought into that State of Peace and Safety to live in it Originaly was, it Seems to be generaly believed now that by the rebel party, that a revolution at presant cannot be accomplished but the repeated ditclarations are, it will not be forgotten but accomplished with greater vigor the Very first Opertunity for they Say there will be no more good times until the government has puled down Tirants they call them Who continue the War for their Own Intrests and Support Machienary that they may raise Taxes to Support the war. If government cannot be Overcomin they say Machienary Shall be Stoped in its progress for it never did a pore man good. If the country his full of red Coats we See that they cannot keep up Machienary. this his conversation you might learn at any of the Publick houses where the rebil parties are accustomed to go.—

I have Sufficient Evidence to convince me that this Spirit of rebelion his princable promoted in this Neighbourhood by men Called Master dressers who Imploy from 4 or 5 to Twenty men who can in general get great wages and Spend more money at the Ale house and all the Other Inhabitants. If some of those men could be brought to the light and punished we might then Expect the journeymen would give up their designs of outrage and plunder. I do believe its not posable at presant for a Stranger to Swear on amongst them unles he should be in the Neighbourhood for some time at first become familiar to them. If you could take any plan to cause them to confes I could give you a list of names that most certainly Swore rebils. they begin to be a little more afraid, they say that this General that is comen to Huddersfield his a Divel of a Man if he can get any hold he his Sure to have them Sent to Prison. If you think it Proper to make a General Search for Arms in Lockwood and Salford & Taylorhill and all on one Night I believe Stolen Arms are in those places for it is believed No Neighbourhood has such Invetrate Rebils in as this has, and they have so planed their designs that not one of them has been detected Since the rioting & rebelion broke out, hoping that you accomplish the grand design till then I remain With sentiments

of Esteem Honoured Sir your Most
Obdt. Servt

[Bottom portion of letter is torn away]

[On reverse “Mr.V. 21st Sept 1812” in Acland's/Acland's Clerk's handwriting]

28th August 1812: The hated Huddersfield Manufacturer, Francis Vickerman, sends information to General Acland

General Ackland

Sir

I hope you have got your Confidential men so aranged that the Rebels May be Found out. I Shall mention a few Names that are believed to be Rebels and it might be best for your men to get acquainted with Soon as posable. John Walker lives at Salford nr. Lockwood a Journeyman Cloth Dresser he his a private in the Local Militia. Benj Walker Sames Place & Trade. James Armitage, Samuel Armitage, Thomas Smith, Mowbrey Farnis at Taylor hill all Cloth Dressers, Some of those are Oftence at the Publick houses in Lockwood and a great many more of the Same kind. If your men Could get to have Conversation with those that Act as Deligates or Swearers In, and give them to Understand that they could have nearly all the Militia to join in the Rebellion. by this to get to know their Strength Places for Meeting Depot for Arms &c &c. Do not leave those Men to their Own Judgement, but you or your Officers to Corispond with them and If one Mate will not take to get them another, it would have been very Easey to got hold of them If no thing had took place at Holmfirth. Should be glad If the Watch & Ward act was put in forse. I Suppose you will have heard that the Rebels Atacked two places in the Neighbourhood of Huddersd last Week. Should be glad to have a few words with you respecting the Shooting of Mr. Horsfall. Might not twoday the Market day be a proper time at the George Inn In Huddersfield. In Hast I am Honoured Sir Your

Most Obdt Servt

Augt 28 1812
Taylor hill Nr. Huddersd

Francis Vickerman

15th March 1812: Attack on the home and workshop of Francis Vickerman

Up until Sunday 15th March, Luddite attacks in the Huddersfield area had been limited to the workshops of small master clothdressers who had installed relatively few shearing frames in their premises. But at 8.30 p.m. that night, an audacious attack was launched against a well-known merchant manufacturer, and a large business concern in Huddersfield, Francis Vickerman. Vickerman was on the 'Committee for Suppressing the Outrages' that had recently formed in Huddersfield, and had received a threatening letter prior to the attack. Furthermore, being so influential his premises were guarded at night by some of the Dragoons stationed in Huddersfield. They usually arrived at his home in Taylor Hill, Almondbury by 9.00 p.m., so by undertaking an attack earlier than than that time meant that the Luddites were breaking the pattern of attacks in the small hours and taking much more risks. The attack had to have been planned with military efficiency.

The group of Luddites had posted lookouts at Brooks Corner, close to where the Dragoons assembled to leave for Taylor Hill. Their job was to fire pistol shots to alert the Luddites to the progress of the military. In addition, 3 young men who served as bell ringers at Huddersfield Church were persuaded to ring the bells when alerted so that the Luddites would know the troops were on their way.

By 8.30, the main group of at least 50 Luddites had reached Vickerman's and announced their arrival with a gunshot. 2 Luddites entered the family home, demanding to know where Vickerman was. When he appeared one of them announced "Ned Ludd of Nottingham has ordered me to break this clock" and promptly smashed a nearby clock with the muzzle of his blunderbuss. Vickerman fled back upstairs into his room and did not emerge until the Luddites had gone. Meanwhile, more Luddites were placed to guard Vickerman's family.

By now, the rest of the Luddites had begun to smash open the doors of Vickerman's warehouse with hammers. They eventually gained access to the dressing shop, and set about destroying the 10 shearing frames and 30 pairs of hand shears that were kept there. Others set about breaking the windows of the warehouse and dwelling house.

By now, the lookouts had noticed that the Dragoons had assembled, and the church bells in Huddersfield began to ring. The Luddites knew time was short, but they completed their work, and when the machinery was smashed several of them shouted "Out! out!" In the warehouse, they had left 2 pieces of cloth and some wool on stove, in an attempt to start a fire, although this never took hold and was later extinguished without doing any damage.

Before leaving, some of them emptied their weapons into Vickerman's house, though other Luddites inside protested loudly about this and no one was harmed. The Luddites were summoned by their leader that night to a nearby field, and the roll was called to make sure all were present.

The lookouts now fired a shot to alert the Luddites that the Dragoons had reached Chapel Hill, and soon after one from Knowle Hill. But the Luddites had left Vickerman's and were making their way home. They had wrought complete destruction within the 30 minutes they had allotted themselves an struck a blow at the heart of one of their main capitalist enemies.

[Before] 15th March 1812: Threatening letter sent to Francis Vickerman of Taylor Hill near Huddersfield

We give you Notice when the

Shers is all Broken the

Spinners shall be the next

if they be not taken down

vick man tayler hill

he as had is garde But

we will pull all down

som Night and kill him

that Nave and Roage