2nd January 1817: Poaching raid on Lord Middleton's estate turns into a gun battle, prisoner taken

In the evening of 2nd January 1817, a raid on the estate of Lord Middleton, near Wollaton in Nottinghamshire, set off a chain of events that would have huge significance in the battle against the midlands Luddites.

There are several contemporary newspaper accounts of the raid. One of the most detailed was in the Stamford Mercury of Friday 17th January 1817:

On Thursday night the 2d instant, a numerous gang of poachers made their appearance at Broxtow Notts, where they took a man, who was some-time employed as an under-keeper for Lord Middleton, into close custody, in order to prevent his giving any alarm; they then proceeded to the house occupied by Mr. Cooke, one of his Lordship's keepers at Shortwood, which a part of them surrounded, while another part went in pursuit of the game. The under-keeper whom they had with them was compelled to lie down on the ground, and a man armed with a pistol sat upon him. Mr. Cooke's dog, however, having given an alarm, was instantly shot. Mr. Cooke was awakened by the report, and fired out of the window. The fire was returned on both sides several times, and an attempt was made to get into the house, but without success. The noise of the firing soon brought the watch and ward to Mr. Cooke's assistance, together with some other persons, when the poachers decamped, and attempted to make their escape: but one of them was soon discovered and secured; and three more have since been taken into custody, and committed to Nottingham county gaol.

17th January 1816: Cloth belonging to Wormald, Gott & Wormald damaged in Leeds

Some time in the evening of Wednesday 17th January 1816, some cloth upon the tenters at the Park Lane factory of Wormald, Gott & Wormald was cut and damaged. The subsequent reward notice gave more detail:

REWARD OF

One Hundred Guineas.

ASSOCIATION

For the PROSECUTION of FELONS.

Tenters Cut. 

WHEREAS, late last Night, or early this Morning, some Person or Persons, did wilfully and maliciously CUT TWO PIECES of COARSE MIXTURE CLOTH, in various Directions, on the Tenters in the Front of Mr. Gott's House, in Park-Lane, Leeds, the Property of Messrs. Wormald, Gott and Wormald, of Leeds, Merchants. 

F Whoever will give Information of the Offender or Offenders shall, upon Conviction, receive a Reward of NINETY GUINEAS from the said Messrs. Wormald, Gott and Wormald; and a further Reward of TEN GUINEAS, at Mr. Smith's Office, Trinity-Lane, Leeds. 

Leeds, 17th January, 1816.

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.

11th April 1814: Attacks on properties of the enemies of Luddites around Huddersfield

In the evening of Monday 11th April 1814, the properties of two of the enemies of the Luddites in the Huddersfield area were attacked. The date was significant because it was the second anniversary of the attack on Rawfolds Mill. The anniversary, and the identity of the targets of the attacks, were not remarked upon by the local press.

One of the targets was directly linked to Rawfolds. John Drake of Longroyd Bridge - a Cropper whose son, Joseph, gave evidence at the trial of men accused of being involved in the attack at Rawfolds - had been the target of at least 5 attacks over the past 14 months. As recently as 29th & 31st March, a Tenter kept near his house had been broken. This time, the windows of his house were smashed.

At Folly Foot, the garden of John Sykes was destroyed. Sykes' sole shearing frame had been destroyed by Luddites on 5th March 1812. On this night, palisades in his garden were thrown down, and 'every article growing' there was pulled up and destroyed.

12th May 1813: Third attack on a Tenter belonging to John Drake

At 10 p.m. on Wednesday 12th May 1813, John Drake senior heard a loud crashing noise coming from outside his house at Longroyd Bridge.  He and his son, also called John, and his daughter-in-law Sarah went outside to surprise three men who were in the process of attacking and breaking his Tenter. The raiders being surprised, they turned and ran.

This was the third occasion on recent months that Drake's Tenters had been attacked, all on account of his son, Joseph (a former Luddite who took part in the attack on Rawfolds) turning informer and giving evidence at the York Special Commission.

Eight days later, the three Drakes had decided that one of those who had taken part in the attack was Richard Brook, from Longroyd Bridge, and went to give a statement to Joseph Radcliffe.

28th April 1813: Tenter belonging to an employer of Benjamin Walker destroyed at Milnsbridge

Around this date, a Tenter belonging to an employer of the former Luddite turned informer, Benjamin Walker, was destroyed at Milnsbridge.

28th March 1813: John Drake's Tenters are smashed again at Longroyd Bridge

On Sunday 28th March 1813, six weeks after a similar attack, the Tenters belonging to John Drake, the father of Joseph Drake who gave evidence at the York Special Commission, were again smashed during the night.

23rd March 1813: Statue of George III pulled down in Bristol

Between the hours of 9.00 and 10.00 p.m. on Tuesday 23rd March 1813,8 or 9 people vaulted the iron railings surrounding Portland Square in Bristol. They made their way to a statue of the King, George III, which was erected in 1810. A rope was thrown around the neck of the statue, and the group pulled it to the ground, breaking it into pieces. The noise brought many people out into the street, and one of the group was apprehended.

21st February 1813: Lieutenant Cooper reports an attack on the property of a relative of William Horsfall

Elland 21st February 1813—

Sir

I have the Honor to inform you that nothing of importance has occurred to me to report this week. To morrow morning one Serjeant and ten Privates of my Detachment will march for Wakefield agreeable to an order, received by me, through Major Garnham.

The destruction of some young Plantations belonging to Mr. Hague and Mr. Horsfall of Huddersfield, has of course been reported to you, I understand that the damage done them was to a large amount, the same Gentleman have had anonymous threatening letters sent them.

I am happy to inform you Sir, that many people of Elland have been before Mr. Scott the Magistrate to take the Oath of allegiance, I have not yet learnt the names of them, accepting one (William Harvey) who I had before Mr Radcliffe Several times but my evidence was not sufficient to convict him.

Allow me, Sir, to return you my thanks to the leave of absence that you have granted me

I have [etc]
Alf. Cooper Lt.
West Suffolk Militia.

[To] Major General Ackland,
&c. &c. &c.

14th February 1813: Attack on plantations belonging to a relative of William Horsfall and another man

At some point during the evening of Sunday 14th February 1813, persons unknown attacked two young plantations of trees in the Huddersfield area. One belonged to a man called Mr Hague, another to a Mr Horsfall (possibly John Horsfall, William's brother). At Hague's plantation, upwards of 500 trees were broken, with a smaller number at Horsfall's.

14th February 1813: Attack on the Tenters of a relative of a witness at the York Special Commission

John Drake senior was a cropper who kept Tenters at his home at Longroyd Bridge. At some point during the evening of Sunday 14th February 1813, one of his Tenters was destroyed by persons unknown.

Drake's son, Joseph, had given evidence for the prosecution at the trial of men accused of being involved in the attack at Rawfolds Mill at the York Special Commission on 9th January 1813.

8th January 1813: Shots fired into Joseph Radcliffe's home, Milnsbridge House

Milnsbridge House today, as depicted by Richard Littlewood (photo used with permission)

Three months after a similar attack, and timed symbolically at midnight on Friday 8th January 1813 - the day Mellor, Thorpe and Smith were scheduled to hang - Joseph Radcliffe's home, Milnsbridge House, was attacked.

Two shots were fired into a window of the house, without causing any injury. The perpetrators escaped, their footsteps being traced by the guards into neighbouring woods.

In a letter written to General Maitland two days later, General Acland thought that the commanding officer reporting the incident to him "had made a great deal of what in itself is trifling". Despite that, the symbolism of this raid was powerful and clear.

24th October 1812: Attack on watchmen at Lindley, near Huddersfield

Between 11.00 p.m. & 12.00 p.m. on Saturday 24th October 1812, a party of watchmen at Lindley, near Huddersfield came under attack from at least 6 men.

A party of three, led by a Special Constable John Cockshut, was attacked with stones and a brawl ensued. One of the men, John Jagger a cropper, seems to have been singled out for the worst treatment and was knocked unconscious by a blow to the head from a stone, although he later recovered.

The following day, the three men (which including a John Wilkinson) gave statements to Joseph Radcliffe, and named the following men as being the attackers: James Smithies (labourer); James Broom (cropper); David Dyson, Thomas Dyson, James Wood and Jonas Wood (all Masons). All three mentioned Smithies.

Radcliffe wanted to take the case to the next York Assizes, and sought assurances that the government would underwrite the costs, but in their response the Attorney General Thomas Plumer and the Solicitor General William Garrow wanted more details about what had happened and why before agreeing to Radcliffe's suggestion. The case did not subsequently appear at the following York Assizes.

1st October 1812: Shots fired at Joseph Radcliffe's residence, Milnsbridge House

Milnsbridge House in 1829, a coloured engraving by FR Hay of an original by JP Neale

At midnight on Thursday 1st October 1812, the sentry posted outside the residence of Sir Joseph Radcliffe - Milnsbridge House - heard a shot being fired from somewhere around the house. Suspecting he was being fired upon, the sentry returned fire, but the shooter(s) had stepped back in the darkness of the night and escaped.

In a letter to General Maitland written on the same day, the military commander at Huddersfield, General Acland, commented that the shot was fired from a considerable distance and wasn't sure that it was fired at either the house or the sentry. He also commented that the sentry's return of fire was foolish and unnecessary.

All of this must have piled more stress and shock on Radcliffe himself: he was by now a virtual recluse in his mansion.

---

Milnsbridge House in 1910

The rear of Milnsbridge House in 2006: image copyright Stanley Walker (Geograph profile)

The front of Milnsbridge House on Dowker Street in 2008: image copyright Betty Longbottom (Geograph profile)

17th September 1812: Attack on the premises of Colonel Moore at Brockwell, near Sowerby

On Monday 14th September 1812, the Mill of a Colonel Moore at Brockwell, near Sowerby had been visited by a thief who had taken 20 yards of cloth from tenterhooks within 20 yards of his house, despite there being 3 sentries on alert.

At 4.00 a.m. on Thursday 17th September, his premises were attacked on a wet and rainy night. The two sentries from the Stirlingshire Militia had been provided with muskets by Moore himself, in order to save their own being exposed to the weather. In the dark, one of the sentries saw a man approaching and challenged him - the answer came back "a friend". The man continued on, without giving the expected countersign, and the sentry pulled the trigger on his musket - nothing happened, the rifle mis-fired. By now, the man was very close and opened his long coat to draw out a cutlass - he lunged at the sentry, the sword striking the barrel of the sentry's gun and severing his thumb.

The man immediately turned and ran, jumping over a fence into the darkness. The other sentry, now alterted, tried to shoot, but his musket also mis-fired. The man got away.

4th September 1812: Gig Mills destroyed at Southowram, near Halifax

After a hiatus in machine-breaking of several months, destruction broke out in the early hours of Friday 4th September 1812 at Southowram, near Halifax.

A local mill belonging to a Mr Waterhouse was on the route of the military, who were stationed nearby. Indeed, the local detachment passed by at 1.30 a.m., with all being well.

But the Luddites knew their movements, and were waiting. When the coast was clear, up to 100 Luddites arrived at the mill, quickly securing the watchman before any alarm could be raised. They obtained the key for the premises from a woman at the mill (possibly Waterhouse's wefe), and once inside, the Luddites destroyed 2 gig mills. In addition, several windows of a building occupied by a Mr Broadbent, the superintendent of the mill, were smashed, and his life was threatened should he be found working the mill again.

When the military patrol returned at 2.00 a.m., the action had taken place and the Luddites had dispersed into the night.

31st August 1812: Arms raid & shots fired at Brighouse

Between 11.00 p.m. and midnight in the evening of Monday 31st August, Luddites launched raids at Brighouse in the West Riding.

At Thornhill, 3 houses were raided for arms by 40 Luddites, and 4 guns taken from them.

At 2.00 a.m. on the 1st September at Brighouse itself, shots from a blunderbuss and other weapons were fired into the home of a Mr Waddington, a corn-miller. Seven bullets were found lodged in his bedroom ceiling, with a musket being discharged into his parlour. The Luddites had managed to avoid a patrol of soldiers that had just passed by.

10th May 1812: Building belonging to a cornfactor attacked at Wakefield

In the evening of Sunday 10th May 1812, the hot-house belonging to a cornfactor called Tootal were attacked at Wakefield. 300 panes of glass were broken.

10th May 1812: The bourgeoisie have their windows broken in Wakefield

In the 'early morning' of Sunday 10th May, a group of up to 100 men moved down Kirkgate in Wakefield and smashed the windows of the middle class residents.

17th April 1812: Further disturbances at Carlisle

The Times of 23rd April 1812 reported that the disturbances there, which had commenced 11 days earlier, were still continuing with the following item about the events of 17th April:

On Friday night, a body of about 300 men and women, the men armed with guns and pitchforks, proceeded to Dalston, about four miles from Carlisle, and broke open the warehouses of Messrs. Richardson and Dugdale, and carried away hams, bacon and flour, to the amount of 500l. The military immediately marched to disperse the rioters, and succeeded in taking into custody about forty, chiefly girls. The plan of the rioters appears to have been organised, as they had scouts stationed to watch the movements of the military; for long before the soldiers could reach the place of destination, the ringleaders, with the greatest part of their associates, had decamped with their booty through the fields, and, it is believed, lodged it safely in their homes. The horse are at present patrolling the streets, and the 55th regiment are under arms.