History Myland (Mile-End)

History of Myland >> Myland Snippets

St Michael's Church, Mile-End. Built 1854-5 replacing the medieval church.
© Copyright John Myers contributor to the Geograph Project and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Myland Snippets

When researching for this website we often find a little snippet of information on a location or subject which may be of interest. Some are quirky, some show that there is nothing new in this world, and some about the attitudes and morals of the time. [index to snippets] Here is one for Myland on disgruntled labourers.

Times Saturday 11 December 1830

On Tuesday last ... a riot took place, in consequence of a number of farmer's labourer's having assembled for the purpose of compelling the farmers in that neighbourhood to agree to a rise of wages. A number of them were taken.

The trial of some of those captured came on this morning, when William Hardwick, Samulke Lilly, Edward Edwards, Thomas Holland, William Bugg, Edward Fetchall, James Wright, Samuel Neverd, Danile Brown, and Thomas Farrow, were charged with misdemeanour.

The facts of the case ... on the morning of the 6th December a number of men assembled to the amount, in the first instance, of about 30 or 40, and proceeded to the premises of a Mr. Ford, a farmer in the parish of St. Michael, near Colchester; there they were met by Mr. Ford's son, to whose inquiry as to what they wanted, Hardwick replied, "Better times, or worse;" while another said, "He should know when it was dark." They then went to Mr. Ford's stables, insisting that the men who attended the horses accompany them. The men at first refused, but ultimately did go.

From this place ... gone to a Mr. John Turner, at Mile-end in the same neighbourhood. To this person Hardwick handed a paper, to the effect:- "We wish to have 2s. A day and beer, up to Lady-day; it is all we wish to have. We will have it all by fair means or foul." ... [Turner] signed the paper, from fear that anything serious should occur ... They then demanded Mr. Turner's men and insisted upon their going with them, which the latter accordingly did ... Mr. William Winckall, another farmer, was next visited, to whom the same paper was presented and which he also signed, under fear of the consequences if he did not. Mr. J.H. Nunn, a farmer, likewise signed the paper, too, under similar circumstances. The mob took some of his men.

After this they were met by a party of horsemen, consisting of magistrates and others under the direction of Sir Henry Smith, as special constables, in Mile-end; they were now in number from 80 to 100; they told Sir Henry very respectfully that all they wanted was a rise of wages, and upon his promise to consider the matter with his friends they dispersed.

All the witnesses, to whose farms the prisoners went, gave every one an excellent character for being sober, steady, and hard-working men till this affair.

A verdict of guilty was returned against them all.

Back to History of Mile End

[End of article]

Newspapers could provide a wealth of information about your ancestors or where they lived. See our article on exploring newspaper archives.