2nd September 1812: The lesser-known cases at Lancaster Summer Assizes

On Wednesday 2nd September 1812, sentencing took place at Lancaster Summer Assizes. A number of cases were decided there which do not usually feature in any of the histories of Luddism, but which nevertheless deserve to be recognised and/or highlighted.

Six prisoners were on trial for rioting at Middleton during the 2-day disturbances in April: they had all been tried for arson at the Lancaster Special Commission in May, but were acquitted, and then immediately charged with rioting to be tried at the next Assizes. Robert Ogden and James Taylor were imprisoned for 18 months, with Paul Greenwood, John Scholes, Abraham Ogden & John Kenyon being imprisoned for 2 years.

Six women who were arrested after the Lancaster Special Commission for taking part in rioting at Barton-upon-Irwell in April were also brought before the Court: whilst Elizabeth Birch, Mary Clare, Mary Dunn were acquitted, Mary Barlow, Elizabeth Benyon & Sarah Parkinson were found guilty and imprisoned for 1 month.

Solomon Low - someone taken up by Captain Francis Raynes during his stay in the area of Mottram - was convicted convicted of having stolen three loads of meal at Ashton-under-Lyne, during rioting in April and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

John Brown, the landlord of the Prince Regent's Arms in Manchester, taken up along with Humphrey Yarwood by John Lloyd in June, was not prosecuted for being present at the administration of an illegal oath.

Messrs Rowe & Duncough, the owners of factory at Westhoughton which was destroyed by Luddites in April, brought an action for recovery of their losses against the Hundred of Salford, no doubt because the military failed to act at the time, even though they were alerted. The verdict was given in their favour, and they received 'upwards' of £7000 in damages, and enormous sum of money.

Lastly Edmund Newton, one of the 'Manchester 38', who had been acquitted 5 days before was re-arrested at the end of the trial, charged with administering an illegal oath in Tintwistle and re-committed to Lancaster Castle to stand at the next Assizes.

7th July 1812: William Robert Hay informs the Home Office about a rioter from Ashton and Joseph Barrowclough

Police Office Manchester 7 July 1812

Sir,

I feel it to be my duty to inform Government that I have this day committed to Lancaster for Trial at the Assizes a man of the name of Solomon Low who appears to have been a very leading man in the riots at Ashton Under Line on the 20th April. The informations incomplete as they are sufficiently clear, but will be materially strengthened on further enquiry. I have directed copies to be forwarded to Mr. Litchfield without delay.

Government are probably aware that two men have for some days been travelling in Yorkshire to obtain information. One of the good effects of their having been employed is the apprehension of one Joseph Barrowclough, a corporal in Sr. Geo. Armitage’s Regt of Local Militia. He has been twice before me for examination – the last time yesterday and was committed for further examination till Thursday — but yesterday Evening he turned informer; and I understand that the circumstances disclosed by him are of the most important nature. These examinations have been taken from him by Mr. Lloyd of Stockport, & Mr Allison a Sollicr at Huddersfield, who is Clerk to the Comee of Gentlemen at Huddersfield to preventing rioters & who is also Capn of the Company in which Barrowclough is a Corporal. He has come over here on purpose. I have thought it best not to be present myself. The examinations cannot be sent up to Governmt tonight, and indeed tho they took the whole of yesterday evening, and have occupied the whole of this morning, very much, it is understood, remains behind. No time shall be lost in sending up a copy, if it could be managed I should very much wish that part at least should be sent tonight – and yet I hope that may be managed. Such steps as it may be judged proper take, will of course be instantly resorted to. I must apologize for the haste in which this is written; but I must confess that I am a good deal agitated by what I have heard of the contents of the examinations.

I have [etc]
William Robert Hay

To John Beckett Esqr. &c &c

5th July 1812: Captain Francis Raynes almost triggers a riot near Mottram in Cheshire

Captain Francis Raynes and his Special Forces detachment were busy suppressing the local population of the area surrounding Mottram, in Cheshire. In his memoirs, he gives an account of how on Sunday 5th July 1812 his unit enforced the licensing restrictions brought in across the North and Midlands because of the disturbances:

Part of our duty was, to enforce the shutting up of the public houses at nine o’clock, and to see that no person remained there after that time. Too often were these houses made the place of resort of the Luddites, for the purpose of conducting their illegal plans; consequently, our appearance was not very agreeable to the landlords, and we frequently received much abusive language from them, which obliged me to make formal complaint to the magistrates, who generally punished them by suspending their licenses.

On one occasion, I believe, but for the steadiness of my men, much mischief might have ensued. We were quartered in a house where upwards of three hundred persons were assembled (as they said) for charitable purposes. At this alarming crisis, danger was to be apprehended. I, therefore, endeavoured to prevail on the landlady, a widow, to dismiss them quietly, desiring her not to draw any liquor, and to plead to the company, the magistrates’ order for so doing: instead of which, she encouraged their continuance. The consequence was, we were obliged to use coercive measures, to get them out, and, at length, succeeded, but with some difficulty. They assembled on the outside of the house, forced the sentinels, and endeavoured to break open the street door. When I found matters were likely to become serious, I ordered the soldiers out, and threatened to fire upon them, if they did not disperse: for they began to be very tumultuous, and were closing in upon us. We primed and loaded, and absolutely presented, before they would disperse; and many, even then, did not move. We, however, secured several of them, which intimidated the rest: but it was not till past twelve o’clock, that all was quiet.--The parties taken up, were sent before the magistrates at Stockport, to answer for the offence of rioting and breaking the peace.

The mistress of the house did not escape the notice of the magistrates on this occasion. Having accurate information of a man of the name of Soloman Low, who had been conspicuously active in the riots at Ashton, immediately on the above commotion being settled, we went in pursuit of, and apprehended him.