Folios 225-228. Letter from D O R Okeden, More Crichel, [Dorset], regarding his concern...

HO 52/7/100

1830 Nov 28

Folios 225-228. Letter from D O R Okeden, More Crichel, [Dorset], regarding his concern about not becoming sheriff. He states: ' I can tell you nothing of the ruinous expenses attending the office of Sheriff, & which a moderate Income under £1000 a year and ill support, would make me [-------] to avoid the Duties of that Office.'

He reports the state of his local neighbourhood which is very close to the disturbed areas. He adds that recent days 'we' have been engaged with attempting to quiet 'riots', but he hopes these will end soon.

The disorder stared at Salisbury, [Wiltshire], from which it had been dispersed, and the crowds split into two groups, one attacked Fordingbridge, [Hampshire] and the other Handley. He reports that at Handley the crowd joined labourers there and machines were broken, and the farmers would rather the machines were broken than their homes so did not resist. He continues that magistrates of Wimborne met at both Cranborne and Winborne and steps were taken to raise special forces and start a nightly watch.

He reports that with the assistance of Blandford around eight to ten of the leaders were taken and eight were committed to trial. He states that an assurance of 10/- per week wages have been given. 'Handley is a singular place, as to the character & its inhabitants. It has a wild & disparate population of Poachers, Smugglers and Deerstealers, & I have always looked to it as a nest egg of [illegible]'. The surrounding neighbourhood carries no such traits and the landowners have been satisfied with the conduct of the local inhabitants as a whole.

He states that troops now at Blandford will proceed to Dorchester, where he hears not only are machines being destroyed but property too is being burnt. The rioters originally may have come from a London but feels that for his neighbourhood the danger has past. The gentry have shown courage and activity, that their farmers have supported them and that 'Watch & Ward' systems have been established in every village. Return mail must be posted via Salisbury as this is his post town: though he resides in Dorset.

Public Record(s)

English

Open Document, Open Description

Topics

Labour

Public disorder

Pay and pensions