The Mankinholes Riots

Following the Poor Law Amendment Act [1834], the newly formed Board of Guardians made its first demand for money in 1838 – when £50 was required from the Todmorden tax payers – and the township refused to pay.

On 14th November 1838, hundreds of local men, armed with clubs and other weapons, assembled at Mankinholes and proceeded to visit the homes of the men who served on the Board of Guardians and other prominent supporters of the Act. The mob attacked the houses, breaking windows, doors and furniture. William Greenwood, at Watty Place in Dulesgate, and his brother John Greenwood, were two of the people singled out by rioters seeking vengeance.

On 16th November 1838, there were further violent scenes in the Mankinholes/Lumbutts area of Todmorden, when a mob of 2000 people attacked 2 constables – Constable Feather and Sergeant King – who were attempting to arrest William Ingham for refusing to pay fines.

On 21st November 1838, another riot was sparked off by a rumour that police were about to attempt to seize Ingham's property. When the rumour was found to be false, the mob visited the homes of those who supported the new Poor Law, including Todmorden Hall.

On 24th November 1838, a company of Dragoons [from Manchester], soldiers and police arrested all the men at Lumbutts Mill and two buses took 14 men to York Castle:

• William Crabtree [aged 17]
• John Crabtree [19]
• Abraham Crabtree [25]
• John Fielden [22]
• Joseph Gaukroger [27]
• Thomas Greenwood [22]
• James Kershaw [25]
• James Kershaw [52]
• Gibson Lord [17]
• Jeremiah Sutcliffe [18]
• Joseph Taylor [25]
• Enoch Thomas [32]
• John Uttley [24]
• John Walton [28]

John Fielden offered to stand the men's bail, but this was refused, although the 4 Fielden Brothers were later accepted as sureties for all the prisoners [10th January 1839]. The men were released on bail in January 1839.

The men were tried at York on 21st March 1839, along with

• William Barrett
• John Helliwell
• Arthur Lowden

Following the riots, the government sent a group to investigate whether John Fielden had incited, encouraged or supported the rioters.

Other people mentioned in reports on the riots included

• Samuel Oliver
• Royston Oliver
• William Helliwell – Guardian for Langfield – his house was attacked and damaged, and his wife begged the mob to spare a clock which belonged to her mother, but her entreaties were to no avail.

  In April 1839, George Turner and James Lord were indicted for a riot and for demolishing the doors and windows of Helliwell's house. Lord was found not guilty, and Turner was found guilty

• Ann Holt, provision dealer in Todmorden and sister-in-law of Joshua Fielden, who

  has become obnoxious by her advocacy of the new Poor Law

  had the windows and property in her shop broken and damaged

• James Taylor of Todmorden Hall
• James Suthers – a beershop keeper at Toad Carr and collector of rates for the Guardians – was attacked
• James Greenwood – of Hare Hill – his home was attacked and burned
• Henry Atkinson – a shoemaker in Todmorden – his shop was attacked
• Mr Robinson – a Guardian and Poor Law commissioners – his home was attacked
• Nathan Booth was transported for shooting at his brother-in-law, Timothy Parkinson
• In February 1839, Dr Jeremiah Oliver brought an action at Halifax Sheriff's Court against the Wapentake of Agbrigg & Morley for damage done during the riots. He was awarded £50
• In a similar case, Mrs Greenwood of Harehill, Todmorden claimed £339 2/7d compensation. The jury awarded her £300

This & associated entries use material contributed by Ivan Birch

Page Ref: MMM109

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