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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: wren on Monday 09 June 08 13:39 BST (UK)
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Hi All
Does anyone have any knowledge of the Bridgewater Riot dated 1833. A Bridgewater Advertiser index mentioned Harriet Stacey as a witness to this riot articles dated 8th April 1833 and 22nd April 1833. Just wondered whether it might have something to do with either industrial or agricultural unrest. Harriet was my gg grandfather's sister.
Regards
Wren.
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I can find nothing in the 19th Century newspapers about a Bridgwater Riot (there is no 'e' :)) The only reference to riots is in the Bridgwater Assizes, 8th August 1833, when the Bishop of Bristol recovered a verdict for £6,000 compensation for the damage sustained by his episcopal residence in that city during the reform riots in October 1831. I would think you would need to get the actual copies of the Bridgwater Advertiser to see what is being referred to.
Stan
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There are several references to it in the Bridgwater Advertiser. Also to people being at the assizes shortly after for assault, which I assume is connected.
Sounds like a local thing.
Can't find anything online - yet!
meles
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Hi stan and Meles
Thanks for your efforts. Yes, I guess I'll have to get copies of the actual articles. I just thought maybe it was some kind of well publicised uprising.
Thanks again
Wren.
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Wren
I am also trying to find out more about the Bridgwater Riot of 1833. I have an ancestor, William Sainsbury, listed as a witness in the Advertiser on 22nd April. Have you looked at the newspaper yet? Do you have more info than in June?
Thanks
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Hi Avoidingvista
Sorry. No to both questions. I've been on a little vacation and haven't done anything more on my Stacey relies. I do need to get back to that branch. I will in the not too distant future.
Regards
Wren
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I found this on a webpage about Friarn Street Bridgwater http://www.friarn.co.uk/FSheritage/chrono.htm :
In 1832, a fight near Mr Bowen's house in Friarn Street takes place at the time of an election. The rioters had got into his house and engaged in drinking and smoking. Mr Bowen, Editor of the Bridgwater Alfred, returned and was struck a considerable blow across the face which rendered him insensible. Meanwhile the riot progressed. The road leading to the house and "the street was crowded and sticks, stones and bricks flew about pretty lively". The riot act was read by the mayor, after which the crowd dispersed.
There is a mention on another web page of a riot in 1832 after a general election.
Could it be that a court case followed in April 1833 and witnesses were listed then or is it unconnected?
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Hi Avoidingvista
I've got to say that I'm a little confused about these riots at the minute. I need to sit down and assimilate the info and do some more research. I think my Harriet Stacey was a witness. I need to verify that this Harriett Stacey is one of my Stacey's. I'm not exactly sure that she is. My Harriett sister to my Great Great Grandfather ended up in Australia and I was wondering whether it may have been to escape the aftermath of the riots.
I think maybe there was more than one riot and they may have been connected. I'll have a little wander around the web later today and see what I can glean. I know the newspapers are the best source, but at present I don't have access to them so the web is the next best thing.
Regards
Wren
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Bridgwater .... (there is no 'e' :))
But there was - according to Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - so you'd be well advised to use both spellings in any search engine for 19th Century newspapers.
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Hi Dee-Jay
Thanks for that advice. I'm going to need to sit down and do some serious research on the topic and really nut out which Harriett Stacey/Stacy was involved. I'm tending to think that perhaps it may have been the next generation back which makes her not my GG grandfathers sister but maybe his aunt.
Regards
Wren
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Seems reporters on The Taunton Courier were of the same ilk:
BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY. _ The works on this Railway are proceeding with the utmost vigour at all points between Bristol and Bridgewater. The season having now approached for the different workings, a very large force of additional workmen have been just set on. [27 Feb 1839]
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I have discovered the following:
1. The particular riot happened after the general election of December 1832, the first after the reform act, when two Whigs won. A group of revelers were celebrating the unseating of William Thornton Astell but ended up invading the house of John Bowen, the editor of the Alfred and a Tory. John was struck on the head and injured when he went to remove people from this house. The mayor read the Riot Act. A full report was in the Alfred on Monday, December 17th 1832.
2. 5 were accused of conspiracy at the Taunton assizes in April 1833 and to everybody's surprise acquitted by the Jury. The rumours were of 500 pounds bribery.
3. A further 37 were summoned and committed for trial at Wells, I haven't found details of this so far.
The April 1833 newspaper references were probably from the trial.
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The old spelling was Bridgewater (from Bridgewaltier), but at some time the 'e' was dropped and it became Bridgwater.
In the 1801 census it is Bridgwater http://www.histpop.org
See also http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/tt_for_place_page.jsp?p_id=436
Stan
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Stan
To add to your point, I have read that Bridgwater, although often spelt in many places and especially by spell checkers as Bridgewater, is not derived from bridge and water as I thought. Instead it is claimed it is a corruption/evolution of its original name.
Bridgwater.......... was given to Walter de Douay, one of William's followers, at the time of the Conquest, and was thence called "Burgh Walter" and "Brugge Walter," by which names, both signifying Walter's burgh or borough, it is designated in various ancient records.
From: 'Bridekirk - Bridgwater', A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 362-369.
URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50828#s20 .
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I have a descendant ...... listed as a witness ......
Can I assume you are a ghostly apparition? ;D
If so, do you happen to know the name of the Coachman who drove the Exeter/London Defiance via the GWR from 'Bridgewater' in August 1841?
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The ghost has been exorcised and he took the 'e' with him! :o
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Hi Avoidingvista and Dee Jay
Wow what interesting information. I found a website that had an index for some issues of the Advertiser.
http://www.paulhyb.homecall.co.uk/news/BRID1833.HTM
This site listed a Harriet Stacey as a witness and a Robert Stacey.
I now think these are the generation preceding my Harriet. As my Harriet's dates don't fit with these dates.
So either they were brother and sister or husband and wife. Were they connected to my Harriet or is it sheer coincidence?Why are these things never simple? More investigation is warranted.
Wren
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Hi, I looked at this newspaper article a while ago, as a James Washer (possibly a relative) was listed in it. I've been glancing back at my notebook & I think I just read it - very unlike me!!
However, I'm off home to Bridgwater for carnival (yay) in just under 2 weeks and I was hoping to pop into B/w library and look at some of the old newspapers, so I could print it off & either pass it on or make a transcript. The only thing is I can't make promises - I'm only home for about 2 days, so if I end up visiting a living relative, I won't get to the library. :-\
PS Bridgwater is randomly spelt with an e or not in all sorts of records, but it's always safest to leave the e in general on posts, as Bridgwater folk are sensitive about this. There are several other B/ws in the world, but only one without an e!! ;)
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Hi Bridgewater girl
That sounds great, as my possibilities at this point in time of getting to bridgeawter are 1 milion to one. I would be eternally grateful.
However, whilst its fun researching the dead the living are far more important. Have a great time visiting the living.
Thank you for your offer. Whatever will be will be. Sounds very Doris Dayish.
Kind Regards
Wren
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Once I get back, I shall let you know one way or the other. I'll have to remember to make a note of the edition to look at again!
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The "Alfred" newspaper reports of trials concerning the Bridgwater Riot of December 1832 have keen kindly posted on the web.
See http://www.friarn.co.uk/Alfred/riot1833/index.htm
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Hi Avoidingvista
Thank you, this is terrific it gives me something to hang my hat on. All I have to do now is verify whether these are my Stacey's. Although they come from the same region I never take anything for granted.
Thanks again. I'm extremely grateful for your help.
Wren