From Weaver to Web: Online visual archive of Calderdale History
Welcome to the online visual archive of Calderdale history. It gives you access to over 23,000 images, with supporting historical information.
The Calderdale area includes the towns of Halifax, Brighouse, Elland, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden.
From Weaver to Web provides access to a wide range of materials. These may be very useful to local and family historians interested in this area.
You will find photographs, postcards, maps, trade directories, handbills and many other types of historical sources.
Archive feature
The Poor Law Riots, November 1838 - shorthand document
The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 required the election of Boards of Guardians, the collection of a poor rate and the establishment of a workhouse, for each of the newly established unions of parishes and townships. In the Todmorden area, there was fierce opposition to the idea of introducing a workhouse and efforts were made to prevent both the election of Guardians and the collection of the poor rate.
The Mankinholes Riot of 16th November 1838 was the outcome of an attempt by constables Feather and King to seize goods from the home of William Ingham, the overseer for Langfield, who had refused to collect the poor rate and then failed to pay the fine imposed as a result.
On 21st November, following a rumour that the constables were to return for a second time to try and seize Ingham's goods and also to arrest rioters from the 16th, crowds of people rioted again. They attacked the homes of some of those involved with trying to administer the Poor Law and significant damage was done to several properties, including Todmorden Hall.
This document is largely in shorthand. Given the occasional names appearing in longhand, it seems to relate to the same story as doc ID 102739, 102740 and 102741, meaning it may relate to the Mankinholes Riot or to that of 21st November.
We would be pleased to receive interpretations of the shorthand.
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What's new
- Anne Lister Inspired Writing Workshop Zine
- Central Library and Archives, Square Road, Halifax
- Fielden Family Tree
- Anti Poor Law Riots, November 1838
- The Mankinholes Riot, November 1838 - testimony of Charles Ratcliffe
- The Mankinholes Riot, November 1838 - proceedings at the White Hart Inn (27th December 1838)
- Aftermath of the Mankinholes Riot - William Greenwood fined
- The Mankinholes Riot - William Greenwood's petition to the House of Commons
- Defrauding of the tolls, 1830
- The Mankinholes Riot - Magistrates meeting at Todmorden, 27th December 1838
Themes

World War One local newspapers
Browse or search the Halifax Weekly Courier 1914-1918 for news from the area we now know as Calderdale...