The Mankinholes Riot - the treatment of witnesses, William and Mrs Greenwood of Jack Lee Gate
Author: Unknown
Date: 29 January 1839
Location: Todmorden
Format: Historical Account
Document ID: 102745
Library ID:
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.
In the first section of this document, Samuel Fielden outlines the treatment received by William Greenwood of Jack-Lee Gate and his wife, when summoned before magistrates on 27th December to give evidence relating to the involvement of Barrett, Lowden and others in the Mankinholes Riot. He also relates the fining of William Greenwood for serving beer after hours on 26th December. The second section of the document raises questions as to whether local magistrates acted corruptly as regards their treatment of Greenwood.
The comment contrasting the level of Greenwood¿s fine with the lower fines imposed on factory owners for over-working children they employed and the suggestion that Greenwood should petition the House of Commons on the matter lead us to question whether John Fielden had some input here.
Doc ID 102750 also relates to this one.
A transcript of the document follows the original image.
