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Sunday, 20 November 2016

20th November 1816: James Towle makes a confession prior to his execution

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Unlike most of the Luddites (or alleged Luddites) held prisoner, the notorious Nottinghamshire Luddite James Towle gave a confession prior t...
Saturday, 19 November 2016

19th November 1816: James Towle writes a letter to his wife the night before his execution

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Dear WIFE, In a few more hours I shall be no more. But my dear Creature in my last moments it is my duty to beg of you to seek for that pe...
Wednesday, 16 November 2016

16th October 1816: 'Investigator' writes to the Leeds Mercury in defence of Machinery

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Mr. EDITOR—I do not all agree with "Observator," in your last week’s Mercury , in the recommendation of a Tax on Machinery, neith...
Monday, 14 November 2016

14th November 1816: Seven knitting-frames damaged in Luddite copy-cat attack in Leicester

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In the evening of Thursday 14th November 1816, a Luddite copy-cat attack took place at a workshop in Leicester. Within 2 days, the circumsta...

14th November 1816: The Home Secretary informs the Sheriff of Leicestershire about James Towle's appeal

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Whitehall Novr 14th: 1816. Sir, I think it right to acquaint you that the Judges have unanimously decided, that the Objections taken ag...
Sunday, 13 November 2016

13th November 1816: James Towle's death sentence is upheld at the Court of Exchequer in London

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On Wednesday 13th November, James Towle's appeal against his death sentence at Leicester Assizes was dismissed at the Court of Excheque...
Friday, 11 November 2016

11th November 1816: 'The Secretary' of the 'Black Committee' of Luddites writes to the Editor of the Stamford Mercury

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Head Quarters Nottingham Nov 11—1816 You have in several of your latest mercurys laid before the public several diabolical accounts of the...

11th November 1816: The Watch & Ward Act is extended to cover more places in Nottinghamshire

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Nottinghamshire—At a Special Sessions of the Peace of our Sovereign Lord King holden by adjournment at the Shire Hall in Nottingham in and f...
Wednesday, 9 November 2016

9th November 1816: 'Observator' writes to the Leeds Mercury advocating the taxation of machinery

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To the EDITOR of the LEEDS MERCURY. SIR—I rely upon your well-known for the insertion in your widely extended paper of the following rem...
Sunday, 6 November 2016

6th November 1816: Meeting of Trades Deputies in London calls for suppression of machinery or new taxes against it

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London, Nov. 12, 1816. Gentlemen, AT a meeting of Deputies from different Trades throughout the Metropolis and its environs, held at Hol...

6th November 1816: West Riding Magistrates fear return to a 'Luddite System' following the murder of a gamekeeper

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Kildwick Novr 6th 1816. My Lord, We the undersigned magistrates acting in & for the West Riding of Yorkshire beg leave to call your ...
Saturday, 5 November 2016

5th November 1816: A Lincolnshire official is concerned about the security of the arms depot at Lincoln

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Lincoln 5th Novr 1816 Dear Sir Having heard that serious disturbance is expected to take place at Nottingham , and knowing there are ab...
Friday, 4 November 2016

[4th] November 1816: William Sherbrooke responds to General Fane's denial of troops for Nottinghamshire

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Oxton November 1816— Sir, I have this moment the honor of your letter , which I shall have an opportunity of laying before the Magistrat...

4th November 1816: Tory Nottingham Journal promises to go on the 'attack' against Luddism

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Whilst we contemplate with satisfaction the exertions which are now making in order to give employment and afford relief to the peaceable an...
Thursday, 3 November 2016

3rd November 1816: General Fane rejects William Sherbrooke's request for troops for Nottinghamshire

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Litchfield 3d Novr 1816— Sir Maj Humphrey, commanding the 73d Regt at Nottingham, has laid before me a requisition signed by you, for a ...

3rd November 1816: A Northamptonshire magistrate has concerns about a 'Luddite association'

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*Ravensthorpe Northampton Nov 3. My Lord I think it my Duty as a Magistrate of this County to acquaint you with the following circumsta...
Monday, 31 October 2016

31st October 1816: Henry Enfield sends the latest informer's report to the Home Office

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Nottingham October 31. 1816. Sir Enclosed you will receive, for the Information of Lord Sidmouth, a Copy of last night’s Secret Report —...

31st October 1816: Henry Enfield reports a 'renewal of framebreaking' to the Home Office

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Sir I inclose, for the information of Lord Sidmouth, a Statement of a renewal of Framebreaking —It furnishes another instance of the Accur...
Sunday, 30 October 2016

30th October 1816: Informer's report on Nottinghamshire Luddites

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30th October 1816.— I went to the Kingstone's Arms last Saturday according to appointment saw Fell, Joe Gelsthorpe and Peter Green th...

30th October 1816: Croppers lose wages case at Pontefract Sessions

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A court case regarding Croppers' wages that came before Pontefract Sessions is a good example of how the spectre of Luddism was invoked ...