About five o’clock in the Saturday morning ... Ashworth, my special constable, came to inform me, a man had been murdered in Newton, at a short distance from the back of Cooper’s house, and his body horribly burnt and disfigured. I immediately hastened to Newton, accompanied by some soldiers and the special constable, and found there a spectacle too shocking to describe. On examining the body and the place where it was found, I had no doubt in my own mind, but the deluded men, bent on the horrid purpose of murdering Cooper, had assembled at the back of his house, with determined resolution of executing it. But it appeared to me, that Samuel Crabtree, the young man found shot, after loading his pistol, had put it into his pocket, where it had accidentally gone off, several bullets having entered his back, and the fire communicating with a quantity of powder he had about him, produced the dreadful appearance the body assumed: a powder flask burst, and a leathern bag, containing upwards of sixty bullets, some of which were melted, were found with the body.
Showing posts with label newton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label newton. Show all posts
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
31st July 1812: A would-be Luddite assassin is found dead in Newton, Cheshire
In his memoirs, Captain Francis Raynes related an incident that took place in the evening of Friday 31st July 1812 at Newton, near Hyde, Cheshire. The Cooper referred to is William Cooper, Raynes' informer, who had been uncovered by Luddites and whose life had been threatened previously. Raynes had taken him under the protection of the military:
Raynes went on to state that there was no formal inquest into the death. The incident was later related in the press, although there was no mention of Cooper. Crabtree was 18 years old.
Thursday, 12 July 2012
12th July 1812: Arms raid at Newton, near Hyde, leaves a Mr. Goodier gravely ill
Between 11.00 p.m. and 12.00 a.m. in the evening of Sunday 12th July 1812, 4 men appeared at the door of a house belonging to the well-to-do Mr. Goodier of Newton, near Hyde in Cheshire.
The men demanded entry, saying they wanted Goodier's guns. Goodier responded by telling the men that the guns had already been taken, but they weren't satisfied: they continued to demand entry, and then threw stones through one of the windows. Two of the men eventually managed to get in and set about assaulting Goodier - it was a one sided-contest, with Goodier being over 80 year of age, he was delivered a savage beating, leaving him with a dislocated and broken left thigh and two broken ribs on his left side.
Goodier's housekeeper tried to help, but was also hit about the head but eventually managed to escape, albeit pursued by one of the raiders. When she returned after raising the alarm, Goodier was found lying in agony and the raiders escaped having taken nothing.
The men demanded entry, saying they wanted Goodier's guns. Goodier responded by telling the men that the guns had already been taken, but they weren't satisfied: they continued to demand entry, and then threw stones through one of the windows. Two of the men eventually managed to get in and set about assaulting Goodier - it was a one sided-contest, with Goodier being over 80 year of age, he was delivered a savage beating, leaving him with a dislocated and broken left thigh and two broken ribs on his left side.
Goodier's housekeeper tried to help, but was also hit about the head but eventually managed to escape, albeit pursued by one of the raiders. When she returned after raising the alarm, Goodier was found lying in agony and the raiders escaped having taken nothing.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
13th June 1812: Arms raids by Luddites continue in the area of Hyde, Cheshire
On the evening of Saturday 13th June 1812, Luddites were out another night raiding for arms in the area of Hyde and Newton in Cheshire.
Earlier in the evening, they raided 6 properties, including that of a Mr Gunner and one of the Ashton family, where the total haul of weapons was 8.
Later, they were heading for the home of Thomas Mottram, when they were charged by a group of Scotch Greys on patrol. They fled into nearby fields, pulling down fences which were in the way. A gun was fired, which was answered by another shot from a distance, and the group then dispersed at around 2.00 a.m.
Earlier in the evening, they raided 6 properties, including that of a Mr Gunner and one of the Ashton family, where the total haul of weapons was 8.
Later, they were heading for the home of Thomas Mottram, when they were charged by a group of Scotch Greys on patrol. They fled into nearby fields, pulling down fences which were in the way. A gun was fired, which was answered by another shot from a distance, and the group then dispersed at around 2.00 a.m.
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
12th June 1812: More raids for arms in the area of Hyde, Cheshire
On the evening of Friday 12th June, a group of up to 30 Luddites again conducted raids for arms in the area of Hyde, Cheshire.
At Newton Hall the owner, Schofield Roylance, had 2 guns taken, with a promise to return them in a fortnight.
Later, the group were apparently gathered at the home of George Hyde Clarke - Hyde Hall - when they were dispersed by a group of Scotch Greys on patrol in the area.
At Newton Hall the owner, Schofield Roylance, had 2 guns taken, with a promise to return them in a fortnight.
Later, the group were apparently gathered at the home of George Hyde Clarke - Hyde Hall - when they were dispersed by a group of Scotch Greys on patrol in the area.
Monday, 11 June 2012
11th June 1812: More arms raids in Newton, Cheshire
On the night of Thursday 11th June 1812, a number of raids for arms were again conducted in the village of Newton, near Hyde, Cheshire. The principal targets were the homes of local farmers, and 'General Lud's men' were seen out in greater numbers than had been active 3 nights before.
The homes of a Mr Vandrey, Thomas Goodier and Joshua Hopwood were called on, and weapons collected. The Luddites promised to return the weapons in a fortnight.
The homes of a Mr Vandrey, Thomas Goodier and Joshua Hopwood were called on, and weapons collected. The Luddites promised to return the weapons in a fortnight.
Friday, 8 June 2012
8th June 1812: Arms raid at Newton Green, near Hyde, Cheshire
On Monday evening, 8th June 1812, a group of men called at the home of on an elderly well-to-do man who lived at Newton Green, near Hyde in Cheshire. The group - who called themselves General Ludd's men - demanded his weapons, and the man gave them his gun.
The men then demanded ale, and the group drank proceeded to drink to the health of General Ludd before leaving.
The men then demanded ale, and the group drank proceeded to drink to the health of General Ludd before leaving.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
17th January 1812: The Manchester spy, B, meets another Irish contact & visits Stockport
Colonel Fletcher's spy, 'B', filed another report on the 17th January.
Commencing on the 14th January, B explained he had a met a man called Brannigan from Ireland, and they discussed 'the Business' there. Once again, a state of non-sectarian unity was described to B, with 'knobs' (i.e. noblemen) being involved. Brannigan said large numbers of people - 400,000 - were said to be involved, and that Catholics in England may also rise, a line which no doubt leapt out at the recipient of the report, the Orangeman Colonel Ralph Fletcher. Brannigan's destination was Birmingham, and B posited that this was where the Irish were getting their arms from.
B reported that on the 16th January, the Mottram delegate has returned from his trip around Yorkshire, the North East and Cumbria. Some places had links with Scotland, and many were willing to correspond, while others at Northallerton felt this was too risky. B had tried to find out the name of the delegate, but the Committee was sworn to secrecy.
On Friday 17th, B had been to Stockport and explained that the Committee there was growing and that they had delegates from an area up to 6 or 7 miles wider than previously.
B gave an account of the disarray the Manchester Committee appeared to be in. The President had gone to the Derby Quarter Sessions and not returned. B did not know when they were to meet next. Another Committee member, called Washington, was described as being "in darby jail for a bastard Chield". B described Royton as being "in a dengrous state", as well as Saddleworth.
Finally, B stated he was due to attend a meeting in Newton, near Hyde, Cheshire on 22nd January where delegates from many of the surrounding villages would be present to give reports and give account of the numbers involved and their plans.
Commencing on the 14th January, B explained he had a met a man called Brannigan from Ireland, and they discussed 'the Business' there. Once again, a state of non-sectarian unity was described to B, with 'knobs' (i.e. noblemen) being involved. Brannigan said large numbers of people - 400,000 - were said to be involved, and that Catholics in England may also rise, a line which no doubt leapt out at the recipient of the report, the Orangeman Colonel Ralph Fletcher. Brannigan's destination was Birmingham, and B posited that this was where the Irish were getting their arms from.
B reported that on the 16th January, the Mottram delegate has returned from his trip around Yorkshire, the North East and Cumbria. Some places had links with Scotland, and many were willing to correspond, while others at Northallerton felt this was too risky. B had tried to find out the name of the delegate, but the Committee was sworn to secrecy.
On Friday 17th, B had been to Stockport and explained that the Committee there was growing and that they had delegates from an area up to 6 or 7 miles wider than previously.
B gave an account of the disarray the Manchester Committee appeared to be in. The President had gone to the Derby Quarter Sessions and not returned. B did not know when they were to meet next. Another Committee member, called Washington, was described as being "in darby jail for a bastard Chield". B described Royton as being "in a dengrous state", as well as Saddleworth.
Finally, B stated he was due to attend a meeting in Newton, near Hyde, Cheshire on 22nd January where delegates from many of the surrounding villages would be present to give reports and give account of the numbers involved and their plans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)