Gloucestershire Machine Breakers. Volume I: The Riots, Trials & Appendices
Description
This volume is an account of the riots in Gloucestershire, in the form of a diary of events, from John Raymond Barker's unsuccessful attempts to persuade the principal inhabitants of Fairford to be sworn in as Special Constables, through the breaking of thrashing machines at Beverstone, Tetbury, Horseley, Fairford, Coln St Aldwyns, Eastleach Turville, Eastleach Martin, Quenington, Bibury, and Coln Rogers. This was followed by a riotous assembly at Southrop and arson attacks at Dumbleton, Pardon Hill and Aust, and includes transcripts of the letters sent to the Home Office.
The rioters were tried at the Epiphany Quarter Sessions, which took place at Gloucester over three days from the 5th to the 7th January 1831, and a day by day account of the trials and sentences is also given.
Appendices include :-
- A Brief Diary of Events
- Commitals to Gloucester Gaol
- Transcripts of records at The National Archives, including Claims for Rewards for the capture of rioters
- Expenses paid for Prosecutions
- Causes and Consequences of the Riots
- A short piece on Charity Stevens, daughter of Robert Stevens who was transported for his part in the riots. She had been found guilty of stealing 2 donkeys and sentenced to 7 years transportation in 1829.
