17th April 1817: The final Luddite executions at Leicester - John Amos, John Crowther, Joshua Mitchell, Thomas Savage, William Towle & William Withers are hanged

On Thursday 17th April 1817, the final executions of Luddites took place at Leicester. There was coverage in various local newspapers but, unusually, the coverage in the Nottingham Review was short & muted. Although we have displayed their article below, we have placed the article in the Leicester Chronicle first, as it is much more comprehensive:

The Leicester Chronicle Friday 18th April 1817:

EXECUTION 

OF 

Thomas Savage, Joshua Mitchell, John Amos, Wm. Towle, John Crowder and Wm. Withers, for entering Messrs. Heathcote and Co’s factory, at Loughborough, and aiding and abetting the shooting at John Asher; Thomas Babington, for setting fire to a stack of oats belonging to Mr. John Moore, of Newbold Verdon. 

About half past five o'clock on Thursday morning, the above unfortunate men were removed from the County Gaol in a covered cart, escorted by a squadron of Hussars, to the New Bridewell, adjoining the Infirmary, where they immediately proceeded to prayer and continued very devoutly engaged the greater part of the morning. About twelve o'clock, they made their appearance on the platform, chained together by the wrist. Savage was placed first; Mitchell, second; Amos, third; Towle, fourth; Crowder, fifth; Withers, sixth; and Babington, seventh. 

After bowing to the vast numbers of persons assembled, Savage shortly addressed them as follows:— 

"My dear Brethren, I am now addressing you as a criminal. I shall not say a great deal. I hope you will take warning by all by our untimely fate, and not regard Man, but God. I feel confident of meeting my saviour hereafter and hope to be forgiven. I did intend to say more, but I have since declined the idea. In behalf of myself and fellow sufferers, I beg to return thanks to Mr. Vaughan & Mr. Hayton, for the attention they have shewn to us.—Farewell!" 

Amos addressed the spectators—"Friends and Fellow-Countrymen—You now see six young men going to suffer for a crime they are not guilty of, (alluding, we presume, to the firing at Asher) for the man who committed the crime will soon be at large. I would have you take warning by our fate, and be careful what company you keep. Farewell!" 

Babington said, "Gentlemen—I am as innocent as God is true, and [looking up,] God will witness it.—Farewell!" 

Mitchell wished to read a paper, but was not permitted. Amos then invited the crowd to join them in singing the following Hymn, which he gave out, two lines at a time, in a most audible and distinct manner, and was joined therein by Savage, Mitchel, Towle, &c. with equally firm voices. 

HYMN. 

How sad our state by nature is!

Our sin, how deep it stains!

And SATAN binds our captive minds

Fast in his slavish chains. 

But there’s a voice of Sovereign Grace

Sounds from the sacred word;

Ho! ye despairing sinners come,

And trust upon the Lord. 

O may we hear th’ Almighty call,

And run to this relief!

We would believe thy promise Lord;

O help our unbelief! 

To the blest fountain of thy blood,

Teach us, O Lord, to fly!

There may we wash our spotted souls

From sins of deepest dye! 

Stretch out thine arm, victorious King,

Our reigning sins subdue;

Drive the old dragon from this seat,

And form our souls anew. 

Poor, guilty, weak, and helpless worms,

On thy kind arm we fall;

Be thou our strength our righteousness,

Our JESUS and our all! 

The last short offices of devotion being concluded, Mr. Musson and the Executioner proceeded to adjust the ropes about the culprits’ necks, during which the prisoners shook hands with each other, and bade a last farewell to several of their friends whom they recognized before them, throwing to each some oranges, with a request that they might be given to their children, &c. 

Having shook hands with the High Sheriff, Clergyman, the Jaoler, &c. one of the unfortunate men (Amos) at about half past twelve, gave a signal by stamping his foot, when the fatal board fell and they were launched into eternity without much struggling, with the exception of Mitchell, who appeared strongly convulsed for several minutes. 

Almost throughout the whole of the awful ceremony they conducted themselves with a degree of firmness seldom witnessed on such a melancholy occasion. Though not insensible to religious impression, they appeared to await their approaching end with a composure we scarcely know how to express. Savage, who was a fine, tall, well-dressed, sensible looking man, appeared to be offering up his prayers with great earnestness when he was tied up. Mitchell, a well-made, bold-looking, well-dressed man, did not appear quite so devout. He assisted in adjusting Savage’s rope, as well as his own, with an unexampled coolness, worthy of a better fate. Amos, a tall, strong, decently dressed man, witnessed his fate with a smile upon his countenance, and seemed to be a man possessing great strength of mind. Towle, a fresh looking youth, betrayed no symptoms of agitation, until towards the close of the tragic scene, when, on the cap being pulled over his face, he evidently seemed much affected. Crowder also seemed much agitated towards the last, as did Withers a little, which he evinced by a restlessness in standing. 

It is to be hoped that the dreadful example now made, here and at Nottingham, will operate in putting an end to a system which has caused so much terror and alarm in this and a neighbouring county, and that Justice will now be satisfied. For ourselves, we are of opinion, with a celebrated writer, that "It is not the intenseness of the pain that has the greatest effect on the mind, but its continuance; for our sensibility is more easily and more powerfully affected by weak but repeated impressions, than by a violent, but momentary, impulse;" and consider we that "the death of a criminal is a terrible but momentary spectacle, and therefore a less efficacious method of deterring others, than the continued example of a man deprived of his liberty, condemned, as a beast of burthen, to repair, by his labour, the injury done to society. If I commit such a crime, says the spectator to himself, I shall be reduced to that miserable condition for the rest of my life. A much more powerful preventative than the fear of death, which men always behold in distant obscurity." 

A troop of Huzzars were in attendance on the above occasion, and we understand the Yeomanry Cavalry were also in readiness in case any attempt to rescue or disorder should have been made.—happily, however, the whole passed over without any interruption, the unfortunate malefactors having experienced every accommodation which the humanity of the High Sheriff and the Gaoler, was capable of affording under such circumstances. 

The execution being generally understood to take place on Monday, thousands of persons from all parts of this and adjoining counties thronged the town on that day. The postponement of the execution, it seems, was in consequence of the County Sessions commencing the early part of the week. It is computed not less than 15,000 persons were present on Thursday.

The Nottingham Review of Friday 18th April 1817:

LEICESTER, April 17, 1817.—"This morning about six o'clock, the six Luddites under sentence of condemnation, viz. Thomas Savage, William Withers, Joshua Mitchell, William Towle, John Crowder, and John Amos, together with Thomas Beavington, (for Arson) were removed, under an escort of dragoons, from the County Gaol, to the County Bridewell, preparatory to their being executed on the new drop. The Luddites appeared very cheerful, singing hymns most of the way as they passed along. Beavington seemed very dejected. In the course of the morning a greater concourse of people assembled than was ever known in this town, supposed at least, twenty thousand, to witness the melancholy spectacle. At about half past eleven o’clock, they all came on the platform, accompanied by Rev. Mr. Highton, Chaplain to the Gaol, Rev. Mr. Mitchell, Rev. Mr. Vaughan, &c. After attending the exhortations and prayers on the occasion, which they did with becoming behaviour, Savidge thanked the Ministers, &c. for their kindness and attention, on behalf of himself and fellow sufferers, and particularly for pointing out to them the way to heaven; he said he had intended to have addressed the multitude, but the time being too far gone, he should say very little; he declared their innocence as to the shooting at Asher. Amos said a few words and declared the same—Mitchell also said a few words.—Beavington declared his innocence, calling God to witness, and with his eyes lifted to heaven, said he did not set fire to the stacks. After these declarations, Amos with a firm voice, said he would now give out a hymn, desiring the people to join in singing the same, which was very readily complied with by many. The hymn was Dr. Watts, 90th hymn, 2d book, which begins, 

"How sad our state by nature is,

Our sin how deep it stains;

And Satan binds our captive minds,

Fast in his slavish chains." 

"They all joined and sang the hymn, apparently without faltering; after which at about a quarter past twelve o'clock, the signal being given, the platform fell, and they were launched into eternity;—during the time they were on the platform, they recognised several of their friends, and threw oranges to them, desiring to be remembered to their friends in Nottingham. 

“Every thing was very peaceable—the dragoons attended the platform."

Finally, the Leicester Journal of Friday 18th April 1817:

Expectation was on tiptoe, and curiosity afloat throughout the County and its vicinity, on Monday last, from his supposition that seven of the Malefactors (convicted at the last Assizes) would be executed on that day, an immense influx of people poured in from all quarters, in consequence, during the morning, (many of them from a considerable distance.)—but came to be disappointed. The Sessions for the County taking place in the early part of the week, their execution was postponed until yesterday. At six o'clock in the morning, Thomas Savage, William Withers, William Towle, John Amos, John Crowther, and Joshua Mitchell, LUDDITES, together with Thomas Beavington, for wilfully setting fire to a stack of oats, were removed from the County Gaol, under a military escort, to the New Bridewell, near the Infirmary.—The High Sheriff attended at seven o'clock, to see that the Prisoners had every accommodation consistent with their situation.—The LUDDITES were deeply impressed with the approach of the awful moment, and were very attentive to their devotion, in which they were assisted by the Chaplain, Mr. Hayton, together with the Rev. Mr. Vaughan and Mitchell. Savage acknowledged the justice of his sentence; and expressed himself grateful for the religious instruction he had received from the Rev. Messrs. Hayton, Vaughan, and Mitchell. At half past eleven they appeared upon the scaffold—after bowing to the populace—Savage addressed the multitude, cautioning them against inattention to religion, and neglect of the Sabbath, to which he attributed his own [illegible]. Mitchell was desirous of reading a paper, which was not permitted. Amos told the people, that he and his companions suffered for a crime which they never committed, (alluding to the firing at Asher,) but they all acknowledged to have been at Loughborough, and engaged in the business as proved on the trial. They all then sung an hymn, and were shortly after launched into eternity.—Their deportment to the last, although apparently repentant, savored strongly of hardy indifference.—The immense number present (at least ten thousand) behaved with great decorum, and dispersed perfectly quiet; too much praise cannot be given to the Civil Power, for the judicious arrangements adopted.

2nd April 1817: The execution of Daniel Diggle, at Nottingham

The header from a broadsheet published to mark the occasion of Daniel Diggle's execution on 2nd April 1817 The full broadsheet can be seen here,

On Wednesday 2nd April 1817, Daniel Diggle was executed in front of the Shire Hall in Nottingham. The two local newspapers each gave a report.

The Nottingham Review of 4th April 1817:

EXECUTION

Of Daniel Diggle, for shooting at George Kerry. 

Wednesday being the day appointed for the execution of Daniel Diggle, who had been convicted at our last Assizes, of shooting at Kerry, he was brought forth from the county gaol to the front of the hall, about eight o'clock in the morning, where a temporary gallows had been erected; and, notwithstanding it was at so early a period, and no public information had been given of any alteration being made as to time or place, a vast concourse of people assembled to witness the tragic scene. Diggle, with considerable fortitude, addressed the multitude—acknowledged his crime, and deeply lamented his having slighted the salutary admonitions of his parents; and particularly deplored his having been associated with Luddites, which, he said, had him to this unhappy situation. While under sentence of death, he was visited by Dr. Wood, the Chaplain of the prison; also by several dissenting ministers, whose exhortations and prayers, as far as we can judge, were rendered very beneficial in preparing him for his awful end. 

The following document has been handed to us by a Clergyman, who occasionally visited Diggle, and may be depended on as genuine:—

The rest of the report contained Daniel Diggle's alleged confession of the day before his execution.

The Nottingham Journal (from the Leicester Journal of 11th April 1817):

EXECUTION OF D. DIGGLE.

On Wednesday morning, the 2d instant, Daniel Diggle suffered the awful sentence of the law, on a temporary gallows, erected in the front of the county gaol, at Nottingham, conformably to his sentence at the last assizes. This unfortunate man was a native of Basford, near Nottingham, and was convicted of shooting at George Kerry, in his dwelling house in the parish of Radford, (in company with two other persons, who are still at large), on the evening of Sunday the 22d of December last, with intent to kill and murder him—From the time the decision of the Judge was made known to him, his only anxiety appeared to be how he might best prepare himself for another world. He fully admitted his guilt; and his sorrow and contrition, not only on account of the crime for which he suffered, but the numerous other errors of his past life, was apparently deep and sincere. He conducted himself to the last moment with becoming resignation, and we trust, by the attentions  paid to him by the Reverend Chaplain, and another worthy divine, who had daily visited him, he left the world supported by rational hope of mercy, through the all sufficient merits of a crucified Redeemer. About 8 o'clock the culprit was brought forth through the County Hall door, in a light cart, along the platform raised on the steps, under the fatal tree. He appeared firm and collected, and addressing himself to the numerous spectators, said, it was "Ludding" that had brought him to that untimely end:—he expressed his regret that he had neglected the good advice given him by his parents, and that he had not abandoned his wicked courses in time to avert the dreadful fate that awaited him, and exhorted all present to take warning by his untimely end. After a few minutes spent in prayer, the cart was drawn off, and he was launched into eternity.—His last words were, "Lord have mercy upon my soul!"—After hanging the usual time, his body was cut down, and delivered to his friends for interment. He was a stout good looking man, but extremely illiterate, had just attained his 21st year, and had not long been married.

The particulars of the trial of Diggle have been already published; but since it may be gratifying to some persons to possess some short notice of his Prison Thoughts, a friend who visited him during the last week of his life, has furnished us with the following particulars:—

On his first interview with the prisoner, he appeared rather unconcerned, but a degree of mutual reserve seemed to account in some measure for the circumstance. In all my subsequent visits he conversed frankly on the events of his past life; and manifested a degree of contrition (especially in his devotions), which was very becoming his awful situation.—Whenever he adverted to his contempt of the advice of his parents, he was very deeply affected.

We he mentioned Luddism, which was frequently the case, he severely reprobated a system, in which he had latterly been an active, though a subordinate agent; and he remarked with a feeling severity, upon the guilty guilt and cruelty of the secret promoters of that practice, whom he declared that he considered equally criminal with himself.

On the Monday before he suffered, he had formed the resolution of speaking freely on the subject of Luddism and his other crimes, from the scaffold; but fearing that his feelings might possibly prevent him, he desired that his sentiments might be written down, and published after his execution.

The following is the confession he earnestly desired might be published:—

...and the Journal also ended the article with Diggle's alleged confession.

The Nottingham Review of Friday 11th April gave a line to report Diggle's burial, which took place on the evening of the same day:

Diggle's body was removed from the County Hall, by his friends, to Basford; and on the same evening was interred in the church yard of that place, amidst an innumerable throng of spectators.

However, despite the report in the Nottingham Review, there doesn't appear to be any record of Diggle's burial in the Basford Parish Registers. It looks as if Diggle's burial was simply unrecorded and we may never know where his remains lie.

Diggle had married his wife, Catherine or Kitty Cockram in 1816 and their daughter, Sarah Ann, was christened at Basford on 10th August 1817.

I am indebted to the historian & genealogist Lesley Abernethy for researching Diggle's family history.

21st November 1816: James Towle is buried in Basford 'in the presence of thousands'

On Thursday 21st November 1816, James Towle was buried in Basford, with thousands of people being present.

The funeral was covered in several regional newspapers, with the Nottingham Review of 22nd November including the conditions Towle's relatives had to adhere to to take possession of the corpse & conduct the burial:

After hanging the usual time, his body was demanded by his cousin Josiah Towle, who before he could obtain it, was required to put his hand to the following document:— 

"The corpse of James Towle having been delivered to me on behalf of his mother, who is desirous of interring it at Basford, I hereby undertake that the same shall be buried there before sunset to-morrow, with all possible privacy, and I hereby make myself responsible that there shall be no public exhibition, either previously to, or at the funeral, and particularly that the corpse shall not be detained in the town of Nottingham, but that the same shall be conveyed, as privately as possible, throughout that town, and in case of any disturbance taking place, in consequence of the conveyance or burial of the said corpse, I consent this paper may be produced in evidence against me.

“Dated this 20th of Nov. 1816. 

            HIS 

“JOSIAH + TOWLE”

          MARK

"I further engage that the corpse shall not be halted or detained at any other place between Leicester and Basford, than the following:—

“To bail for one hour at Rothley House.
“To put up for the night or bail at Costock.
“To bail for one hour at Bradmore and from thence to Basford without stopping." 

The body was conveyed through Nottingham during the course of Wednesday night, and on Thursday afternoon, was committed to the earth in Basford church yard, by the side of his father, in the presence of thousands of spectators; every thing being conducted in the most peaceable and orderly manner.

Also present at the funeral was the Secret Agent employed by the Nottingham 'Secret Committee' of bureacrats and employers, and the Town Clerk would receive a report from him the following day.

20th November 1816: The execution of the Nottinghamshire Luddite, James Towle

On Wednesday 20th November 1816, the Luddite James Towle was executed in Leicester, before a crowd of between 10-20,000 people. The execution was reported in several newspapers, and it worth comparing the accounts.

The Nottingham Review of 22nd November contained the passage about the execution:

On Wednesday morning, he was taken, under an escort, in a chaise, to the building, an appendage to the New Bridewell now erecting, within a few yards of the west-end of the infirmary. At an early hour, great numbers assembled to see the new drop (which had been placed there only the day before) and kept increasing until twelve o'clock, when Towle, with a firm and undaunted step, came upon the platform, attended by the Sheriff and his deputy, the chaplain, the two gaolers, &c. after paying the utmost possible attention to the prayers of the chaplain, with a firm and audible voice, he gave out one of Dr. Watt's admirable hymns, beginning with— 

"Oh! for an overcoming faith,
To cheer my dying hours;
To triumph o’er the monster death,
With all his frightful powers." 

He gave out the whole of the hymn, two lines at a time, and joined in singing it with the utmost fervency. About half past twelve, every thing being ready the platform fell, and launched him into eternity, in the presence of an immense number of spectators, who conducted themselves in the most orderly manner, and without the least attempt a disturbance.

The Tory Leicester Journal of the same date contained the following:

We stated from authority in our last, that the case of James Towle, convicted at our late Assizes of Frame breaking, &c. at the Bobbin Lace manufactory of Messrs. Heathcote and Boden, at Loughborough, had been argued in the Exchequer Chamber on the preceding Wednesday, when the twelve Judges were unanimously of opinion, that the conviction of the prisoner was legal. The term of his respite expired last Wednesday; an early on the same morning the convict was removed from the present County Gaol, to the new one now building at the end of Horsepool street, where a new drop was erected in the front of the principal entry.—The Chaplain of the Gaol attended him early in the morning, in the necessary devotionary exercises, and at 12 o'clock he was brought upon the platform attended by the different officers, where he evinced a manly and becoming fortitude, worthy of a better fate. He bowed on his entrance to the populace, but made no address. After the Chaplain had gone through the usual prayers, the Prisoner gave out and sang a hymn with great solemnity and a very audible voice, after which the several attendants having withdrawn, he was launched into eternity, and appeared to die without struggle or emotion.—Some strong insinuations having been made respecting the removal of the Prisoner without the heretofore customary cavalcade, as if it implied a fear—we beg to state, that nothing could be more foreign to the intention of the executive department. As the new Gaol is now nearly come completed and will be very shortly occupied, it was deemed expedient that the new regulations respecting executions should in the present instance be entered upon, and the decorum and solemnity which were manifested on this occasion, justify the wisdom and policy of the measure. Heretofore the unhappy wretches were dragged two or three miles distant from the town, amidst the din and noise of the thoughtless and wicked, whose loose manners and depraved habits gave the scene more the appearance of a holiday, than the awful removal of a human being from life to eternity. On this occasion the unhappy victim had all the consolation that could arise from his latest moments being employed in devotionary exercises undisturbed by the noise and folly of unthinking multitude; and there was enough of public spectacle to satisfy all the judgment that awaits those, who trench upon the rights of their fellow creatures, and offend against the laws of their country. The assemblage was very great, but the almost decorum and propriety of demeanour were manifest throughout. 

James Towle was about 5 feet 2 inches high, 34 years of age, and has left a wife and four children to lament his untimely end. During the whole of his confinement, he conducted himself with great propriety, but elicited nothing that would at all implicate the LUDDITES, to whose dark and diabolical system he has been the first to suffer. His wife and four children, with some relatives arrived on Sunday, and continued until Tuesday.

Finally, the Leicester Chronicle of the 23rd November contained the following:

On Wednesday last, the awful sentence of the law was put in force against this unfortunate man, at the New Drop, in front of the County Bridewell, lately erected at the bottom of Horsepool-street, and was witnessed by a greater number of spectators than had been observed on any similar occasion for many years past. Contrary to the usual custom in this place, he was removed from the County Gaol early in the morning, in a post chaise, accompanied by the Gaoler and two Assistants only, in order to render his last moments less interrupted by the noisy and giddy crowd usually attendant upon the heretofore customary cavalcade. A short time after his arrival at the New Gaol, he was attended in the usual devotionary exercises, by the Rev. Mr Heyton, the Chaplain of the Gaol, who continued with him until the fatal hour. At twelve o'clock he came upon the platform in the most firm manner, bowing to the spectators three separate times, attended by the High Sheriff, the Chaplain, two Gaoler, &c.; after devoting about a quarter of an hour in prayer, he requested a book to be placed in his hand, which being done, he selected therefrom a hymn of Dr. Watts, beginning with— 

[Hymn] 

which he gave out, two lines at a time, and joined in singing with the greatest attention, until the whole was finished; turning towards the High Sheriff he took him by the hand, and expressed himself in grateful terms for his attention during his confinement. He also shook hands with the Chaplain and Gaoler, also thanking them for their humane and diligent regard to his spiritual and temporal comforts since his trial; then placing himself under the fatal tree, and taking off his neck-handkerchief, which he requested might be tied round his eyes, and having himself adjusted the rope about his neck, the signal was given, and he was launched into eternity, without scarcely experiencing a struggle. 

31st August 1816: Daniel Harwood & Thomas Thody are executed at Norwich for their parts in the 'Bread or Blood' disturbances

Two accounts of the execution of the 'Bread & Blood' rioters Daniel Harwood & Thomas Thody appear in the local press, both of which are reproduced below. The executions took place on Saturday 31st August 1816,

The Norwich Mercury of 7th September 1816:

On Saturday last were executed at the Castle Hill, Thomas Moy, for sheep stealing, and Thomas Thody, and Daniel Harwood, for rioting at Downham. They were all of them men of honest and reputable connections, and were brought to their untimely end by Sabbath-breaking—by bad company of both sexes—by occasional intoxication, when in their power—and by following a multitude to do evil. As far as their time permitted, they endeavoured to atone for their former neglect of their duty to God, by assiduously employing themselves in devotional exercises, and there is reason to think that, had their lives been spared, they would have been better men, better subjects, and better Christians; but the prevalence and danger of the crimes for which for which their lives were forfeited and the necessity of making severe examples to deter others from similar crimes, rendered all applications in their favour to the higher powers fruitless. Their behaviour since they were left for execution, was meek and contrite; and they passed their weary hours in reading the Scriptures, in fervent prayer, and in attentively listening to the terms of salvation held out by the Saviour to truly penitent sinners. Having taken a last farewell of their relatives and friends, and an affecting leave of their fellow prisoners, and after being indulged in waiting till the last moment, in the forlorn hope of reprieve, they proceeded to the place of execution.—When the prayers appropriated to the solemn occasion were concluded, they submitted, with manly resignation, to the awful preparations for death. Harwood was first fixed to the fatal tree. Thody was the next sufferer, and he suffered indeed, as far as related to mental suffering: he had hitherto conducted himself with patient fortitude, and with a steady step had ascended the scaffold; but, when the rope was placed on his neck, the remembrance of his wife and children, whom he loudly called upon and deplored, overwhelmed his mind, and with agonising screams he would have fallen in a fit, had he not been supported by the exhortations of the Ordinary and of his fellow sufferers, and by the soothing attentions of those around him, he recovered soon from his fainting state, and stood up firmly while the executioner performed his office upon him and Moy, who was the last tied up. The raised part of the platform immediately fell, and they died with some convulsive struggles, in which Moy appeared to be the longest sufferer. No malefactors ever expired with greater sympathy from the immense multitude, which covered the whole surface of the hill joining the place of execution.—Thomas Moy, aged 32, was born at Guestwick in Norfolk, and has left a wife and seven young children. The pressure of the times had involved him in great distress; and he had undertaken to hire a farm of considerable extent at Binham, to which his circumstances were by no means equal. His relations are respectable, and the crime for which he suffered was the only one which brought him under the sentence of the law.—Daniel Harwood, aged 32, was a native of Gooderstone, in Norfolk, unmarried, and pursued an agricultural mode of life, by occasionally working with his waggon and team in jobs for farmers, as is the custom, in that part of the country where he resided, near Downham. This wandering manner of life led him into bad company, and together with a neglect of his religious duties, at length involved him in the riots which brought him to his untimely end.—Thomas Thody, aged 22, was born at St. Neots, in Huntingdonshire, and has resided several years at Necton, in Norfolk, where his father was coachman to the late Mr. Mason. He has left a wife and two small children.

The Norfolk Chronicle of 7th September 1816:

This day se’nnight, Daniel Harwood, and Thomas Thody, for rioting; and Thomas Moy, for sheep stealing, were executed on the Castle Hill, pursuant to their sentence at the last Assizes, amidst an immense concourse of spectators, who expressed their pity for the unfortunate but guilty sufferers.—The execution not taking place till half-past one, gave strength to the prevalent though unfounded rumour that a reprieve had been received for these unhappy men. Harwood and Moy behaved with great firmness; as did Thody until he was placed under the fatal tree. The recollection of his wife and children, and the horror of immediate death, then overcame his fortitude; he was nearly sinking down under an agony of grief and terror, which he expressed by convulsive shrieks, and was obliged for a short time to be supported by several men. By the admonitions, however, of those attended him on the scaffold, and of his two fellow sufferers, he soon recovered and underwent the last painful part of his sentence with manly resolution. During the short period that intervened between their condemnation, and execution, they received every help and consolation that Religion could afford; and they died with penitence, in the faith of their Saviour, and in a firm trust in the mercies of HIM, who is the great foundation of all mercy!—Moy was in his 33d year, he was born at Guestwick in this county, and his relations are respectable, he was (as we have before had occasion to notice) a farmer, occupying nearly a hundred acres of land at Binham; and has left a wife and seven young children.—Thody who has also left a wife and two children, was 22 years old, born at St. Neots, in Huntingdonshire, and has resided several years at Necton, in this county.—Howard, aged 22, was a native of Gooderstone, in this county, and unmarried.—We are authorised to state, in opposition to a report which has been pretty widely circulated, that none of these unfortunate men, had ever made any profession of religion among any body of Christians; but on the contrary, they acknowledge that they lived in an awful neglect of religious duties, and had been sinking in sin, prior to their commission of those crimes, which brought them to their unhappy end

24th August 1816: Joseph Bugg is executed at Ipswich for his part in the 'Bread or Blood' disturbances

The Cambridge Chronicle of 30th August 1816 gave sparse coverage to the execution of Joseph Bugg, who had been found guilty of arson at the previous Suffolk Assizes:

On Saturday last Joseph Bugg was executed at Ipswich, pursuant to his sentence at the last Suffolk assizes, for setting fire to a barn and cart-lodge, in the occupation of Mr. Glanfield, of Martlesham-hall. When exhorted by the chaplain to confess, he replied, he was in liquor, and did not know what he did; but after the Chaplain had left him, he confessed to the gaoler and the persons assisting, (just before he was turned off) that he set fire to a quantity of whins that were near the premises burnt. He was 26 years of age, had served in the Spanish campaign, and was much addicted to liquor.

9th August 1816: The Judge at Bury Assizes gives death sentences to 'Bread or Blood' arsonists

The Bury St Edmunds Summer Assizes commenced on Friday 9th August 1816, and saw a number of prisoners face trial for offences committed during the previous months in Suffolk.

A number of cases failed, or were postponed, as noted by the Bury & Norwich Post of 14th August 1816:

No true bills were found by the grand jury against Thos. Baker, for setting fire to a barn at Kettlebaston, or Susan Bruty, for setting fire to a building belonging to J. Skelton, of Clare.—The trials of the nine Brandon rioters were traversed to the next Assizes.

However, the main spectacle was reserved for the trials of two arsonists, and the same edition of the paper gave extensive coverage to these:

Trials of the Two Incendiaries.

James Pleasants, a boy of 15 years of age, was indicted for having feloniously set fire to a barn in the parish of Lawhall, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Bradley, a farmer, by which the same and other buildings were destroyed by fire on the 12th of May last. The only witness in this case, in addition to the prisoner’s confession, was a little girl about 15 years of age, in the service of Mr. Bradley. She stated that during the divine service on the 12th of May, she was left at home with the prisoner and her mistress, who was ill up stairs, her master being on a visit to Mr. Reman, a neighbour adjoining.—The witness had been cleaning knives, and doing dirty work, for which she had occasion to put some water on the fire in a back kitchen, for the purpose of washing her hands: the prisoner was then present by the fire, when he observed to the witness, "why don't you go up stairs and put on your cloathes."—Witness replied it was wet and she should not change her dress that day. She took the water from the fire to the sink in the same apartment, and on turning her back, the prisoner left the kitchen; she did not see that he had any thing in his hand, but soon after he returned, saying, "the barn is on fire." This the witness was soon enabled to perceive from a great quantity of smoke issuing, and immediately after she observed the place all in flames. She instantly ran out and gave the alarm. The boy ran towards the church, thinking his master was there. He, however, accidentally met his master by the way, who by this time saw with great alarm the situation at his premises. There were several good and valuable horses, together with several cows and calves, besides other stock, which were totally consumed. The flames, however, did not reach the dwelling-house, from the timely assistance of the neighbours. When the prisoner was apprehended, he voluntarily confessed that he had conveyed in his glove a coal of fire from the back kitchen to the barn, where he threw it amongst some wheat in the straw. This confession was recorded by the magistrates, who thereupon committed him for trial.—It further appeared, that an anonymous letter containing threats to three persons in the neighbourhood had been previously picked up by the prisoner. That letter said, "the Magistrate was no Justice, and that he should be the first to suffer." But by whom that letter was written had never been discovered.—The prisoner being asked what he had to say in his defence, wept bitterly, and in a low voice which could only be heard by the gaoler, stated that this confession had been extorted from him under a threat from some person, that if he did not confess the crime, or say who did it, he should be scalded to death, and that it was under an impression of fear that he had so confessed. The magistrates being examined whether any such disclosure or threat was made at the time of his commitment, completely negatived that statement.—The prisoner was found guilty, but on account of his youth, recommended by the Jury to mercy. 

Joseph Bugg was capitally convicted of setting fire to a barn and a cart-lodge, in the occupation of Mr Jas. Glanfield, at Martlesham-hall. The prosecutor stated, that he rented the farm and premises under the Rev. Geo. Doughty, of Hoxne. He left his house on the 23d of April, with his wife, on a visit to a neighbour, and returned at 12 o'clock at night, when the premises were all safe. As he had walked from home, and did not expect to return very early, he left directions with the servants not to sit up for him. About an hour after his return, he was awakened out of his sleep by a cry of "fire!" and, looking out of his chamber window, saw the barn on fire. He immediately went down stairs, and saw that the cart-lodge was also on fire, and the roof was just falling in. These outbuildings were distant about 150 yards from his house. The night was calm, and the flame from the buildings, which were considerably apart, arose in an upright direction.—There were 80 coombs of barley in the barn, chiefly in the straw, and most of his farming implements in the cart-lodge, the whole of which were destroyed. Eliz. Hammond, who lived servant at Waldringfield Cliff public-house, was next examined. She stated, that the prisoner was there on the night the fire happened; he came about 6 o'clock in the evening, and drank with several others, all of whom went away before him. He staid until a little time after a quarter past 12, and went away then, upon her refusing to let him have any more beer. She had supplied the prisoner with a half-quartern of rum, 2 pints of old beer, five or six pints of other beer, with a half-quartern of gin in each. On cross examination, she admitted that, altho’ the prisoner had had part of this in the first instance, subsequently they had all drunk together. The next witness was ____ Rouse, who stated that he lived at Martlesham, and have known Bugg ever since he was a boy. On the night of the fire, the prisoner called at his house between twelve and one; his wife, who heard the prisoner call out to know whether he was at home, awoke him. On his getting up, the prisoner asked him if he could lend him a tinder-box and steel, which he at first denied, as he should want it himself in the morning; on a promise, however, that it should be then returned, he gave them to him. When the prisoner had gone three or four yards from the window, he called out to the witness, "don't tell any body!"—Directly upon hearing of the fire, he went and acquainted Mr. Glanfield of this circumstance. Witness’s house is nearly three-quarters of a mile out of the direct path from the Cliff public-house to the prisoner’s. The tinder-box was returned in the morning. He thought the prisoner wanted a tinder-box because there were gipsies in the neighbourhood. A young man, servant to Mr. Cattermole, next deposed, that when in conversation with one John Barber, on a Sunday, upon a stile, near the Lion at Martlesham, the prisoner came up to them; and in talking about work, the prisoner observed, that the farmers in the parish were all damn’d rogues, especially Mr. Glanfield; he would do them a kindness, and he (Mr. Glanfield) should be the first.—Mr. John Cook, a farmer, residing at Bucklesham, about four miles from Martlesham, but occupying a farm in that parish, stated that Bugg had formerly worked with him; that in March last, on being sent to work in the roads, he complained of Mr. James Glanfield, saying, it might bethank him that men were posted about from parish to parish. He thought Mr. G. the worst of them all; and he should not wonder if something were to happen to him before long.—The prisoner, on being called upon for his defence, said, that he drank all the liquor himself.—The learned Judge, in summing up the evidence, remarked, that in the species of crime with which the prisoner stood charged, it was by circumstantial evidence alone, that conviction could be founded; it was not likely that a man having such a diabolical purpose in view, should have any accomplices in the act. His Lordship took great pains to point out the connecting chain of evidence upon which the guilt of the prisoner might reasonably be presumed; and, after some pertinent remarks on the heinousness of the offence, and the necessity of preventing its recurrence, by example, he left the case for the consideration of the Jury. He concluded by noticing, that, as he had hinted before, the evidence was only presumptive, and in such a case, could only be so, the Jury would therefore give the prisoner the benefit of any doubt which really existed in their minds.—It was not, however, the province of a Jury, with the view to exonerate themselves from such a painful duty, to fabricate doubts, but to deliver such a verdict as the evidence of the case, in all its bearings, might lead them to. The Jury returned a verdict—Guilty, but recommended the prisoner to mercy.

The paper also recorded Sir Vicary Gibbs' sentencing:

Sentence passed on Prisoners capitally convicted.—Chief Justice Gibbs, in passing sentence, addressed the prisoner Bugg, expressing his regret at the situation in which this unhappy man was placed, by the heinous offence of which he had been convicted, on such clear evidence as that which had been adduced against him.—The learned Judge said he could not see the slightest hope which the prisoner could entertain of any thing like reprieve or pardon, from the awful severity which the law had denounced against his crime by way of punishment; and, for the sake of example, to deter others from committing the like offences; that sentence, however painful, yet towards a criminal like him, it was his Lordship's duty to pronounce. From the depravity and wickedness which the nature of the crime evinced, it was justly ordained that it should be expiated by the death of the culprit. The pretence of not knowing right from wrong could not avail the prisoner, whose years and experience must have taught him to view the extent of enormity which belonged to the crime of which he was convicted by a Jury. 

His Lordship next addressed James Pleasants, whose youth excited a great degree of compassion in the mind of the Judge, being under the necessity of passing sentence of death upon him for the same offence. His Lordship said, it was astonishing that such a degree of malignity should have entered the heart of a boy at his early age, whose depravity on that account was the more to be lamented. The Jury, on this consideration, and in hopes he might yet live to repent, the more sincerely as he advanced in years, were disposed to rescue him from an ignominious and untimely death, by recommending him to mercy; and although it was the Judge’s duty to pronounce the sentence of the law, corresponding with the magnitude of the offence, his Lordship was in hopes that by conforming to the recommendation of the Jury his life might be spared, in order that he might become a penitent, and at some future period, a useful and industrious member of the community, by seriously reflecting, that death was the least punishment which must await the commission of an heinous offence.

Before he left Suffolk for Norfolk, Gibbs reprieved Plesants, but left Bugg to hang.

29th June 1816: The executed rioters are buried in Ely

The memorial plaque, on the south wall of the tower of St Mary's Church, Ely, to the five executed Ely and Littleport rioters, executed on 28 June 1816 & buried the following day (Photo: John McCullough, cc license)

In the evening of Saturday 29th June 1816, the five Ely rioters who had been executed the preceding day, were buried in the churchyard of St Mary's Church at Ely. The Bury & Norwich Post of 10th July 1816 carried a brief report of the funeral:

The bodies of the five unhappy sufferers for the late Riots (whose execution was noticed in our last) were committed to the care of the Chief Constable, who, at the express wish of their relations, provided a house to deposit them in, where they were decently and respectfully laid in their coffins, attended by four constables until the funeral took place on Saturday evening, when they were carried to church in the following order:—A company of singers from Littleport walked before, singing the 104th Psalm through the streets to Church: next the Chief Constable and Mr. Barlow, keeper of the prison, with their staves of office, covered with black, and themselves also dressed in black; then followed the corpse of Beamiss, he being the elder; next his relations; the other four were carried two abreast, with their respective relations following each corpse.—From the great concourse of spectators, it was thought necessary to have the attendance of several constables.—The bodies were all deposited in one grave, by the side of each other, in the church yard of Ely St. Mary's, in the most decent and respectful manner.—The reports circulated of disturbances on this occasion, and the further mischief committed in the Isle, are all unfounded.

28th June 1816: The 5 Ely rioters are executed in the city

On Friday 28th June 1816, the 5 rioters sentenced to death at the Ely Special Commission were executed in the City. Two East Anglian newspapers subsequently carried contrasting articles about the spectacle, and these can be found below:

From the Bury & Norwich Post (3rd July 1816 edition):

EXECUTION of the FIVE RIOTERS.

J. Dennis, I. Harley, W. Beamiss, T. South, and G. Crow were executed on the New Drop, near Ely, on Friday last, pursuant to their sentences, in the presence of many thousands of spectators.—They had shewn the sincerest penitence and contrition since their condemnation, and met their fate with becoming firmness and resignation. Dennis, who was better educated than the others, was continually exhorting them to fervent prayer.—The following is a copy of an acknowledgement which they made and signed at the gaol on the morning of execution:— 

"We, your poor unfortunate suffering fellow-creatures, beg leave to present the public with this our dying acknowledgement of the justice of that sentence which has condemned us to die, for the violent outrages we have committed; and hope it will be a warning to all who may see or hear of us, to avoid the like courses. 

“We acknowledge and confess our sins in general, and we most sincerely beg of God to pardon our sins, fervently hoping and trusting, that God Almighty will, for the all-atoning merits of the Redeemer, receive our precious and immortal souls in his favour, though we have delayed their interests to this late hour, most earnestly entreating, that the Almighty may grant us all our sufferings in this world, and none in the next. 

“We most sincerely warn you all to avoid those sins which have been the cause of bringing us here. By all means avoid irreligion, and vices of every kind, particularly those of swearing, drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, and that of a shameful neglect of the means of Grace, the only means (through the merits of Christ) of our souls salvation. 

“We sincerely recommend to you, that you attend the public worship of God, particularly on the Lord's Day; and most sincerely pray, that all our friends and relations will not put off their repentance to a death-bed, lest that God, whom they have neglected to serve whilst in health and strength, should say unto them at length, as he does to every neglecter of salvation to the last, ‘Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hands, and no Man regarded; ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh.’ Isaac Harley, Wm. Beamiss, Thos. South, John Dennis, Geo. Crow.” 

At the place of execution, J. Dennis addressed the multitude as follows:— 

"All you who are witness to this my disgraceful end, I exhort you, in the name of God, that God before whom I must shortly appear, to avoid drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, whoremongery, and bad company; oh! beware of these sins. I pray you also to avoid rioting! and in every respect refrain from breaking the laws of your country!—Remember the words of the Judge, that tried us for the crimes for which we are now going to suffer, who said, ‘The law of the land will always be too strong for its assailants, and those who defy the law, will, in the end, be subdued by the law, and be compelled to submit to its justice or its mercy.’—We stand here a melancholy example of the power and justice of the law. I freely forgive those who gave their evidence against me: and may the God of mercy forgive me, and have mercy upon my soul!" 

Harley and Beamiss also addressed the people to nearly a similar effect.—Harley said he died the death he expected; South confessed that his case could not have been pardoned; Crow denied any intention of murdering Mr. Martin, but was checked by Dennis, who said—"Yes, yes, he would have been murdered had he been found"—meaning by this that he saw the temper of the mob, which he declared he endeavoured to restrain; and he added, that he gave Mr. Martin warning to keep out of the way. Beamiss acknowledged his general guilt; but denied the words imputed to him by Tansley.

From the Cambridge Chronicle (5th July 1816 edition):

EXECUTION OF THE RIOTERS AT ELY. 

At nine o'clock on Friday morning last, the Ordinary (the Rev. Mr. Griffith) performed his last religious offices in the gaol with the prisoners under sentence of death, and about half an hour after the great bell of St. Mary's tolled the signal, when John Dennis, George Crow, William Beamiss the elder, Thomas South the younger, and Isaac Harley, were brought out with white caps on their heads, tied with black ribbands, and ascended a cart with elevated seats on each side, covered with black cloth, to be conveyed to the usual place of execution. Several of the Magistrates attended in person, accompanied by not less than three hundred of the most respectable inhabitants of the isle, on horseback, with white wands. All the peace officers, with additional ones sworn in special on the occasion, headed by Mr. Edwards, and three other chief constables, with their staffs of office covered with black crape, forming a large body, preceded and followed the melancholy procession, which was conducted without the necessity of any military aid. 

The unhappy sufferers demonstrated the most sincere contrition, and signed an acknowledgement of the justice of their sentence, which they gave to the Ordinary before they left the prison, hoping that their fate would prove an example to the country, and deter others from the perpetration of such crimes for which they were about to die, and particularly their confederates, who had so mercifully escaped being made partakers in their sufferings. 

The procession reached the place of execution about eleven o'clock, where a platform was erected, with a drop, which they ascended. The spectacle was awful and impressive on the surrounding multitude. When they reached the platform they knelt down severally, and prayed fervently for a considerable time; the Ordinary then went up to them and assisted them in their last devotions; after this John Dennis addressed the multitude as follows: 

"All you who are witness to this my disgraceful end, I exhort you, in the name of God, that God before whom I must shortly appear, to avoid drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, whoremongery, and bad company; oh! beware of these sins. I pray you also to avoid rioting! and in every respect refrain from breaking the laws of your country!—Remember the words of the Judge, that tried us for the crimes for which we are now going to suffer, who said, ‘The law of the land will always be too strong for its assailants, and those who defy the law, will, in the end, be subdued by the law, and be compelled to submit to its justice or its mercy.’—We stand here a melancholy example of the power and justice of the law. I freely forgive those who gave their evidence against me: and may the God of mercy forgive me, and have mercy upon my soul!" 

Harley and Beamiss also addressed the people to nearly a similar effect.—Harley said he died the death he expected; South confesses his case could not have been pardoned; Crow denied any intention of murdering Mr. Martin, but was checked by Dennis, who said—"Yes, yes, he would have been murdered had he been found,"—meaning by this that he saw the temper of the mob, which he declared that he endeavoured to restrain; and he added, that he gave Mr. Martin warning to keep out of the way. Beamiss acknowledged his general guilt; but denied the words imputed to him. 

The whole then prayed again for some time, when, on a signal given, the drop fell, and they were launched into eternity almost without a struggle. 

After hanging the usual time, the bodies were put into coffins, given to their respective friends for interment in St. Mary's Church-yard, on Saturday. 

The following is an authentic copy of their voluntary confession:— 

"We, your poor unfortunate suffering fellow creatures, beg leave to present the public with this our last dying acknowledgement of the justice of that sentence which has condemned us to die, for the violent outrages we have committed, and hope it will be a warning to all, who may see, or hear of us, to avoid the like courses. We acknowledge and confess our sins in general, and we most sincerely beg of God to pardon our sins, fervently hoping and trusting, that God Almighty will, for the sake of the all-atoning merits of the Redeemer, receive our precious and immortal souls into his favour, though we have delayed their interests to this late hour; most earnestly entreating, that the Almighty may grant us all our sufferings in this world, and none in the next. We most sincerely warn you all to avoid those sins, which have been the cause of bringing us here. 

“By all means avoid irreligion, and vice of every kind, particularly those of swearing, drunkenness, Sabbath breaking, and that of a shameful neglect of the means of grace, the only means through the merits of Christ, of our souls salvation. We sincerely recommend to you, that you attend the public worship of God, particularly on the Lord's Day; and most sincerely pray that all our friends and relations will not put off their repentance to a death bed, lest that God, whom they have neglected to serve whilst in health and strength, should say unto them at last, as he does to every neglecter of salvation—‘Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hands, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh.’ 

The Marks of  

{“JOHN DENNIS,
{W. BEAMIS.
{THOMAS SOUTH. X
{ISAAC HARLEY.” X 

In the presence of BENJ. BARLOW, Gaoler. 

A true copy.
H. B. DUDLEY,
HENRY LAW,
Acting Magistrates for the Isle of Ely.

3rd April 1816: The execution of the Luddite, John Dann

On Wednesday 3rd April 1816 the Luddite, John Dann (aka John Simpson), was executed in Nottingham. Dann had been convicted of Highway Robbery, and his alleged involvement in Luddism had not been disclosed. The local authority believed he was deeply implicated in Luddism, but because they had based their case on the word of an informer, we cannot be sure about the veracity of their case. The Town Clerk of Nottingham, Henry Enfield, had suggested that the Assizes Judge be directed to order execution without remission for Dann, although it's not clear if this intervention led to his death sentence.

The Nottingham Date Book (containing extracts from the Nottingham Review) contains an interesting passage about Dann:

April 3.—Execution of John Simpson, alias Daniel Simpson, for committing several highway robberies. 

The offences in particular for which he suffered, were, robbing Mr. Thomas Needham, of Lambley, of 29s. and a bundle of cotton, and Mr. Joseph Bowes, of Eastwood, of a silver watch and a £1 note.   

This malefactor was a native of Ashton-under-Lyne, and after being taught something of the stocking-making business at Lancaster, came to Nottingham in 1799, at the age of 16. He had worked at Melbourne, Mansfield, Sutton, and Arnold, as well as in this town, and had assumed a great variety of names. He was married twice, and his second wife was a native of Arnold.  

At his own request, Simpson was attended to the place of execution, by two gentlemen of the Particular Baptist persuasion. He was penitent, and freely acknowledged his guilt.

10th November 1815: The death of the prisoner William Walker

'A view near Woolwich in Kent, shewing the employment of the convicts from the hulks', a hand-coloured engraving printed for Bowles and Carver, no. 69 St. Pauls Church Yard, c.1790-1800

On Friday 10th November 1815, William Walker, a Collier from Gee Cross in Cheshire, found guilty of riotous assembly and grand larceny on 21st April 1812, died on board the Retribution prison hulk at Woolwich.

Walker had been sentenced to 7 years transportation at Chester Special Commission, and seemed to have been singled out for punishment principally because he dubbed himself 'General Ludd' during the events of 21 April 1812. However, despite the sentence, he had evidently never left England.

The prison hulk register is the only source of information about Walker's fate, and the cause of death is not recorded there. He would have been aged around 62-63 at the time. Given his age, Walker had done well to survive for over 3 years - the prison hulks were notorious for their poor conditions.

It is not known where Walker's remains are buried.

21st December 1814: The death of the prisoner John Baines the elder

'Hulks in Portsmouth Harbour' by Thomas Christopher Hofland, c.1830. The Halifax prisoners were held in ships similar to these at the adjoining harbour at Langstone, immediately to the east of Portsmouth

On Wednesday 21st December 1814, John Baines the elder, one of the 5 men from from Halifax found guilty at the York Special Commission of administering illegal oaths, died on board a prison hulk in Langstone harbour, Portsmouth.

Baines was the third prisoner of the 7 who were sentenced to transportation at York to die since arriving on the south coast. John Lumb had died in an accident within 6 weeks of arrival, and Baines' own son, also called John, had died earlier in the year, in March 1814.

Like with his son, the prison hulk register is the only source of information about Baines' fate, and the cause of death is not recorded there. He would have been aged around 67-68 at the time. Given his age, Baines had done well to survive for almost 2 years - his son was aged only about 35 when he died, and the prison hulks were notorious for their poor conditions.

At this time point, none of the prisoners sentenced to transportation at the York Special Commission had actually been deported.

It is not known where Baines' remains are buried.

14th October 1814: Armed attack on the home of Thomas Garton leaves a Luddite and bystander dead

The home of Thomas Garton had been raided, and six knitting frames had been destroyed, on 4th September 1814. Shortly afterwards, a framework-knitter called James Towle had been arrested and placed in custody awaiting trial following Garton identifying him as was one of the Luddites involved in the raid.

Since that time, Garton's life has been threatened. The Town Clerk, George Coldham, had an informant involved with the Luddites, and he had been alerted by this person on Thursday 13th October that an attack on Garton's home would take place on Sunday 16th, with a view to killing him to prevent evidence being given against Towle at his trial. On Friday morning, Coldham summoned Thomas Garton and his brother and explained to them what he knew. He suggested that Garton should be moved to a safehouse on Saturday morning and measures taken to secure the house with a view to arresting any attackers.

But Coldham received more news from the informant at 6.30 p.m. on Friday 14th that the attack on Garton's home had been brought forward to 8.00 p.m. that evening. Coldham wasted no time and dispatched a constable to move Garton to safety at the Police Office in Nottingham, as well as other constables to go to Garton's house and another to alert Garton's brother to come to his aid.

Constables Benjamin Hall and John Flude arrived at Garton's house at 7.30 p.m. Three of Garton's journeymen and 2 apprentices were there, one of them armed with a stick, the rest unarmed. Shortly, 4 more constables from Nottingham arrived, armed with cutlasses and guns. Finally, Garton's brother and his son and two servants arrived, bringing more weapons.

After 2 hours, nothing had happened, and two constables - Griffin and Barnes - were dispatched to fetch some food and drink.

But within 10 minutes, those inside heard what sounded like a hammer banging on the front door of the house, and voices could be heard in the passageway at the side of the house - someone later estimated 10 men were outside. The door being forced open, 3 men rushed in, with one of them calling out "damn him! where is he? where is he?" - this was followed by 3 or 4 shots being fired into the house by the intruders. The force of the shots was so great that soot fell from the chimney, almost putting out the fire in the hearth in the parlour, with candles going out. One constables said "be steady lads, give them a volley" and the constables returned fire - one of the intruders dropped to the ground, and others fell outside in the passageway. All was then quiet.

However, the noise and commotion had excited interest elsewhere. A neighbour of Garton came to his front door, but was swore at and threatened by a man who threatened to 'blow his brains out'. Mrs Garton was at the house of a neighbour, William Kilby, who lived only 30 yards from Garton's. Mrs Garton had heard the noise and became alarmed - Kilby rushed out to his door, but was hit by  a bullet from a gun. He fell down dead. Later reports accused the Luddites of killing Kilby, but one constable present - Robert Lineker - later gave a statement which clearly stated Kilby was shot at the time they returned fire - it was possible, but not acknowledged, that a stray shot aimed at the Luddites had killed him.

The constables in the house expected another attack to be made and set about reloading their weapons. A light was found, and it was then clear the intruder that had fallen was dead - his head being shattered by shots. No trace of any remaining intruders could be found, but it was apparent that Garton's brother was injured in one hand, and one of the men he had brought had minor wounds in his stomach. Mrs Garton then arrived and told the constables what had happened outside.

An hour passed without incident, and the two constables that had left returned, bringing with them six dragoons. The whole group didn't leave until it was almost dawn.

The raiders had escaped into the night. The raider who was killed in Garton's house was later identified as Samuel Bamford, originally from Basford, but latterly living in Nottingham.

13th March 1814: The death of the prisoner John Baines the younger

A detail from 'Portsmouth Harbour with Prison Hulks' by Louis Garneray, c.1820. The Halifax prisoners were held in ships similar to these at the adjoining harbour at Langstone, immediately to the east of Portsmouth

On Sunday 13th March 1814, John Baines the younger, one of the five men from Halifax found guilty at the York Special Commission of being involved in administering illegal oaths, died on board a prison hulk in Langstone harbour, near Portsmouth.

Baines was the second man to die of the 7 prisoners sentenced to transportation at the York Special Commission. Only 6 weeks after they were sentenced, another of the convicted men, John Lumb, had been run over by a cart which killed him.

Little is known about the cause of Baines death & how he died. The only record is amongst a list of prisoners held on the HMS Portland, where his fate is recorded. Baines would have been around 35 years of age, and his elderly father, also called John (and who was by then about 67), was still alive aboard the same hulk, as were the other prisoners from Halifax. At this stage, none of them had been transported abroad, as per their sentence.

Conditions aboard these prison ships were notoriously poor, to the extent that even those in reasonable health stood a good chance of falling ill from disease. Baines' sentence at York had essentially been a death sentence, only a cruel, slow and lingering one.

2nd October 1813: The execution of James Renshaw, Simeon Beston & William Beston

The execution of the 3 men convicted of burglary at the Chester Lammas Assizes, including the convicted Luddite, James Renshaw, took place in Chester on Saturday 2nd October 1813. The Chester Chronicle of 8th October carried an article on the executions, and what led up to it: 

EXECUTION OF 

Simeon Beston, James Renshaw, and William Beston, for burglaries. 

The execution of these men, the two former convicted of a burglary in the house of Joseph Harding, as Henbury, on the 28th April last, and the latter of a burglary in the house of Samuel Harding, of Swettenham, on the 6th June last, took place on Saturday, in this city. From the moment of their condemnation,* their conduct has been marked by a total indifference to the near approach of death, and we are truly sorry to say, that although they have attended with some degree of attention to the visits of the Ordinary, yet they persisted in denying their guilt to a late period of their existence; William Beston, indeed, maintained his innocence to the last moment; and Simeon Beston and Renshaw denied all knowledge of the burglary, till the moment of their execution. The former repeatedly declared that he did not sign the examination produced in Court, and going upon his knees, wished God might never receive his soul if he was guilty!—W. Beston said, "he did not know that he ever had a pistol in his possession, (see trial in CHRONICLE of September 24) but, if he had, he was taking it to be repaired!" —Such was the state of mind of these unfortunate wretches on the morning of Saturday, when, about 10 o'clock they received the sacrament with apparent devotion; after taking leave of their fellow prisoners, they were ironed and handcuffed, and conducted to the parlour of Mr. Hudson's house. When the irons were putting on Renshaw, his agitation was extreme—his whole frame was for several minutes convulsed, and his forehead bedewed within excessive perspiration.—Not so the Bestons; they seem totally indifferent to the awful preparations of approaching death, and held out their legs to the ring, with extraordinary fortitude. It was when they were seated in the worthy Governor’s room, as he again exhorted them to make that confession of their offences which the outraged laws of man required. Renshaw remained silent; but Simeon Beston, in a firm voice, replied, "We feel perfectly easy." A friend of ours, who was present, then adverted to the contradiction so apparent in the evidence given on the trial of Simeon Beston, in which his brother declared that he slept at his house on the night of the burglary, and did not lead to four o'clock the following morning; whilst the examination of Beston, which he had signed, overthrew the whole, by stating that he went into a field, and fell asleep under a hay-rick till morning? To this the unfortunate man said, "The examination is not true; I did not sleep in a field; and I am quite innocent of what I am to die for."—They were told that it was a duty they owed to God and their country to confess, as it would clear up all doubts; and the idea of the offence of dying with a lie in the mouth was dreadful. "Aye! very true," said William Beston, "if we were to die with a lie in the mouth! But we have told all the truth to God, he knows all our secrets" Mr. Hudson then gave each of them a glass of wine, when W. Beston said, "Master, here's your health; I am as innocent of the robbery as this is," holding up the glass.—Before Renshaw drank, he turned round to Mr. Hudson, and with the big tear of contrition in his eye, he faltered out "Well, Master, farewell!" The way in which he spoke was inconceivably affecting.

The two Bestons repeated frequently the most unequivocal declarations of innocence. William Beston said he had no participation whatever in the robbery he was about to suffer for, and addressing Renshaw, said, "Jem, if thou know’st any thing, thou’d best tell now."—Renshaw, however, remained silent; and Simeon Beston exclaimed, "I hope we shall soon be happy!" That there was an [ambition] in the two brothers, to impress on the world a belief of their innocence, there can be no doubt, notwithstanding the very clear evidence on which they were convicted and we cannot forbear noticing a question put by Simeon Beston, "are we to wear these (pointing to his irons) through the streets?"—Notice of the arrival of the City Sheriffs being given, the wretched men walked with a firm step to the outer door of the gaol, where an escort of the Royal Denbigh Militia took charge of them, and from Glover’s street† the melancholy procession moved through the principal streets to the New Gaol.—Simeon Beston, throughout the journey, held in his hands a prayer-book, and occasionally made protestations of innocence to the surrounding crowd.

While on the platform, and after they were tied up, Simeon Beston, who had exhibited a wonderful degree of firmness throughout the morning, trembled very much. After some time spent in prayer, the Ordinary particularly exhorted them not to die altering the falsehood. Renshaw, then, acknowldged his guilt, and owned that S. Beston participated in the crime.—Even now the latter said he was guiltless; but on Renshaw repeating his confession, he replied, "Well, it is so; I am indeed guilty." Renshaw, then in a loud voice, addressed the multitude in the following words; "Gentlemen, I am brought here to die for a crime that I am guilty of.—I beg you all to take warning by my fate. It was not my bringing up, but poverty that’s brought me to this.—May God have mercy on you all; and as I forgive every one, I hope every body will forgive me."—William Beston, with that hardihood which he had all along manifested, said, "I am quite innocent. I'm here to be murdered. But I forgive every one, and hope God will forgive me."—Simeon Beston afterwards spoke, but in so low a tone of voice, that his words could not be collected.—The signal was then given by Renshaw—the platform fell, and the wretched men were released from their worldly sufferings.—Renshaw was dead in a few seconds; but the two Bestons were dreadfully convulsed for long time. W. Beston in particular, was observed to move nearly ten minutes, which, we are told, is to be attributed to the rope having swept round the back of his neck.

Simeon Beston was in his 26th year, by trade a weaver, from Ringway; William Beston was in his 42d year, a weaver from North Etchells; and Renshaw about 30, also a weaver, from Wilmslow. They form part of a numerous and desperate gang of depredators, who have long infested the Eastern extremities of this county, and are the residue of the most determined of those dangerous men who were associated by the name of Luddites.—We trust, for the sake of society, humanity, that the dreadful examples which it has been found necessary to make, will operate as a caution on those who, in the confidence of impunity, are still following on that course, which must eventually end in a terrible and ignominious death.—We are no advocates for an extension of that part of our penal code, which has given to itself conspicuousness by the sacrifice at the shrine of justice of an ocean of blood; but there are, nevertheless, crimes of that "black and horrid hue," which can only be expiated by the death of the offender. Of such a stamp were the offences which we have this day occasion to notice; for although the act of murder itself was not completed—attempts, and those, too, of the most determined ferocious description, were made. On the whole, therefore, whilst we lament the necessity, we conceive that the lives of these offenders, were justly forfeited to public safety and public justice.

The body of Renshaw was interred on Sunday evening, in St. Mary’s Church-yard in this city, under the tower.

*Immediately after sentence was passed upon them, William Beston, holding up his fist in a threatening position, said, "[Damn] thee, [Lloyd] I may thank thee for this?" pointing to a respectable attorney in court, who had been the principal means of apprehending the desperadoes!

31st March 1813: William Simpson is hanged at Nottingham

On Wednesday 31st March 1813, William Simpon was hanged in Nottingham. Aged about 40, he was a framework-knitter from Bulwell, found guilty at the Nottingham Lent Assizes of a burglary n Watnall.

Where were the West Yorkshire Luddite martyrs buried - and how many were buried at all?

Memorial placards for the 17 executed Luddites, left at the execution site on 19th January 2013 (image copyright Richard Holland)

The subsequent burial of the Luddites executed on 16th January 1813 still remains largely mysterious. The funerals that did take place went unreported in the local press. Sources in the Home Office records refer to only to one burial by name, but other than that do refer to some numbers and locations. The parish records are somewhat better, yielding three burials we know took place for certain.

Among the definites are John Ogden, a 23 year-old cropper from Cowcliffe. He was buried on 18th January 1813, in the Huddersfield St Peter's Parish, with a John Coates officiating. In the margin of his burial record is written "This man was hung as a Luddite, innocent, but knowing his brother was guilty but would not inform".

An extract from the Parish record showing the burials of John Ogden & James Haigh.

Buried the following day in the same parish was the Dalton cropper James Haigh, aged 28. Again, John Coates officiated.

On the 20th, William Hartley, a 41 year-old tailor from Warley was buried in St Mary Parish, Luddenden. Thomas Sutcliffe officiated.

Moving past the parish records, one contemporary letter in the Home Office correspondence confirms another name. In a letter to General Acland, Lieutenant Cooper at Elland confirmed on 24th January that John Hill, a 36 year-old cotton spinner from Greetland, had been buried locally within the past few days. Cooper also confirmed that, in common with the burial of the Luddite Samuel Hartley at Halifax months before, the Methodist preacher refused to read service over the body, and although there was no disturbance arising from this, Cooper intimates there was much unhappiness.

The only other information in the Home Office records is about the number and/or location of bodies at different points. On the 18th January, Lieutenant-Colonel Lang at Huddersfield revealed that 'bodies' had arrived there at 6.30 p.m. on the 17th, only to be taken to Lockwood and Longroyd Bridge. We know that Thomas Brook, a 32 year-old cropper was from Lockwood and John Walker, a 31 year-old cropper, was from Longroyd Bridge.

Major Bruce at Halifax reported on the 18th January that 2 bodies had arrived there that morning and had been held in a warehouse before being taken away by their friends on carts at 11.00 a.m. - one headed to Sowerby, one to Elland. The latter was presumably John Hill, whilst the body headed for Sowerby could have been Joseph Crowther, a 31 year-old cotton spinner of that place.

On the 19th January, Lieutenant Colonel Lang reported that 3 'quiet and orderly' burials had taken place in the Huddersfield area by then.

And that is where my research leads me to at this point.

In a recent article on the Guardian's website, local historian Paul Furness states that only 7 bodies were claimed by friends or relatives, and that the rest were dissected. Whilst Hall & Kipling (1984, p.50) agree that seven bodies were claimed, the latter statement is new information, although it's not clear what the sources are that support it (NB, both these accounts would appear to be wrong - see the foot of this blog post for updated information). There could be some truth in this - in a letter of 16th January, the Huddersfield solicitor John Allison wrote to General Acland that:

"I do not expect that any of the friends of the unfortunate Men (save one or two), can afford to bring the bodies to Hudd and I conceive the Croppers will not subscribe for the purpose for they all here appear ashamed of themselves"

However, despite what Allison stated, we know from the information above that two croppers were buried for definite, with a third alluded to Lang, and that the bodies of two others were taken to Lockwood and Longroyd Bridge upon their arrival in Huddersfield. So it does look like the local Luddites could afford to take care of their dead after all.

Until further information comes to light though, it's not absolutely certain that the following Luddites were buried at all:

John Batley of Thornhill
Thomas Brook of Lockwood
Joseph Crowther of Sowerby
Jonathan Dean of Huddersfield
Joseph Fisher of Briestwhistle
James Hey of Skircoat
Job Hey of Greetland
Nathan Hoyle of Skircoat
John Swallow of Briestwhistle
John Walker of Longroyd Bridge 

NB  - since writing this article, new research has yielded more definite information about what happened to the bodies of those executed. William Knipe's 'Criminal Chronology of York Castle' (1867, pp.153-154) tells us that the bodies of all the Luddites were claimed by family/friends except those of Joseph Crowther and Nathan Hoyle, whose bodies were 'interred in the hoppet at the back of the Castle'.

8th January 1813: The execution of George Mellor, William Thorpe & Thomas Smith

At 9.00 a.m. on Friday 8th January 1813,  the three Luddites convicted of the murder of William Horsfall - George Mellor, William Thorpe & Thomas Smith - were executed at York Castle.

When compared with accounts of other executions, the report of the execution printed in the Extraordinary Edition of the Leeds Mercury of 9th January 1813 is noticeably anomalous. Particularly unusual is the reported defiance of William Thorpe being asked about Justice & also Mellor's clear broadside at the informer Benjamin Walker. Mellor, like Smith, had taken his Luddite oath entirely seriously - despite being imprisoned for almost 3 months he had clearly refused to utter a word to the authorities, as there is not even a simple statement taken by the magistrates in existence.

This report is free of the usual pseudo-religious accounts of redemption that are standard in the press of this time. This led to controversy over the following weeks in the two Leeds papers, as the Whig Mercury and the Tory Intelligencer traded blows over exactly what the substance of Mellor's last words were, as we shall see.

In the interval between the trial and execution, the prisoners behaved very penitently, though they refused to make any confession either in the prison or at the place of execution. Thorpe, on being asked if he did not acknowledge the justice of this sentence? said, “Do not ask me any question.” Mellor declared, “that he would rather be in the situation he was then placed, dreadful as it was, than have to answer for the crime of their accuser, and that he would not change situations with him, even for his liberty and two thousand pounds;” but with all his resolution, he could not conceal the agonies of his mind, for on the night before the execution, he fell to the ground in a state of insensibility, and it was thought he would have died in his cell; but he soon recovered, and in the morning his health was perfectly restored.

The Execution of these unhappy men took place yesterday, at nine o'clock, at the usual place behind the Castle, at York. Every precaution had been taken to render any idea of a rescue impracticable. Two troops of cavalry were drawn up at the front of the drop, and the avenues to the castle were guarded by infantry. Five minutes before nine o'clock, the prisoners came upon the fatal platform. After the ordinary had read the accustomed forms of prayer on these occasions, George Mellor prayed for about ten minutes; he spoke with great apparent fervency and devotion, confessing in general, the greatness of his sins, but without any allusion to the crime for which he suffered. He prayed earnestly for mercy, and with a pathos that was affecting. The surrounding multitude were evidently affected. William Thorpe also prayed, but his voice was not so well heard. Smith said little, but seemed to join in the devotion with great seriousness. The prisoners were then moved to the front of the platform, and Mellor said: "Some of my enemies may be here, if there be, I freely forgive them, and all the world, and I hope the world will forgive me." William Thorpe said, "I hope none of those who are now before me, will ever come to this place." The executioner then proceeded to perform his fatal office, and the drop fell. Some alteration had been made in the drop, so that all the whole body was visible when they were suspended; in former executions only the feet and head could be seen by the spectators. They were executed in their irons. They appeared slightly convulsed for a few moments.

The number of people assembled, was much greater than is usual in this city, on these melancholy occasions, but not the slightest indication of tumult prevailed, and the greatest silence reigned during the whole of this solemn and painful scene. Such has been the issue of that fatal system, which, after having produced in its progress great terror and alarm, and much mischief to the community, has at length terminated in the death of those who were its most active partizans. And thus have perished, in the very bloom of their life, three young men; who, had they directed their talents to lawful pursuits, might have lived happy and respected.—They were young men on whose countenances nature had not imprinted the features of assassins.