Hudsonites

The Hudsonites, active around 1840-1848, received opprobrium from local newspapers due to their mockery of religion. Their meetings spoofed religious services - a hymn would be given out, but not sung; absurdist sermons would be read; and members testified that the land was the birthright of the people. They were organised by James Hudson, also known as 'Pope' Hudson, and were mainly drawn from the Shade, Gauxholme and Knowlwood areas of Todmorden. They wore green coats, indicating their sympathy with the Chartist cause, and held annual meetings at the Basin Stone on the first Sunday in May (Spaw Sunday). The implication seems to be that their beliefs were libertarian Christian-humanist and similar to the Diggers of the 17th century.

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