For those interested in the history and struggles of the ordinary people, I'm still shying away from the coronavirus thingy, I thought I would post these two images I received from a friend in Manchester, thanks Ron. I have transcribed them for easier reading.
Owd Nancy’s Petticoat.
My earliest remembrances of taking part in Radicalism are the invitations I used to receive to be at ‘owd Nancy Clayton’s in Charlestown, on 16th of August to denounce the Peterloo massacre and drink in solemn silence ‘to the immortal memory of Henry Hunt’
This old Nancy and her husband were both at Peterloo, and, I believe, both were wounded, at all events, the woman was.
She wore on that memorable day a black petticoat, which she afterwards transformed into a black flag which on the 16th of August used to be hung out and a green cap of liberty attached there to.
In the year 1838 a new cap of liberty was made, and hung out with the black flag on the anniversary of the Peterloo massacre.
These terrible and terrifying emblems of sedition alarmed the then powers that existed and our then chief constable -no lover of democracy- was ordered by a magistrate to march a host of special constables and all the civil power he could command and to forcibly seize and take possession of these vile emblems of Anarchy and base Revolution. Off they marched . . . but the women of that part of the borough heard of the contemplated raid that was likely to befall their cherished emblems. And the women drew them in and hid them.
Up this gallant and brave band of men went to the front door of poor old Nancy Clayton, and placed themselves in daring military array while the chief constable with a subordinate marched upstairs, and amongst the women there he found my old friend “Riah Witty, who told the writer what follows.
Imperiously and haughty, as became the chief of so noble a band and in so righteous a cause, he demanded the Black Flag and the cap of Liberty.
My old friend ‘Riah said,
“What has thou to do wi’ cap o’ liberty? Thou never supported liberty, not aught ‘ut belongs thee?”
However, the chamber was searched and the poor black flag was found under the bed and taken prisoner .. the house was searched from top to bottom for the cap of liberty, but neither the genius of the chief nor his subordinate could find the missing emblems of Revolution. Off this gallant band of men marched with poor old Nancy’s petticoat – the black flag never more to grace a radical banquet of potatoe pies and home brewed ale …
The Saturday after this grand demonstration ‘Riah Witty met the chief constable, and she exclaimed, “Now, thou didna find that cap o’ liberty, did tha?” “No”, he said, “I didna ‘Riah, where was it?” She said “I knew thou couldna find it; it were where thou duratna go for it”…
From the recollections of William Aitken, weaver and life-long radical. Published in the Ashton Reporter, 30th. January, 1869.
My earliest remembrances of taking part in Radicalism are the invitations I used to receive to be at ‘owd Nancy Clayton’s in Charlestown, on 16th of August to denounce the Peterloo massacre and drink in solemn silence ‘to the immortal memory of Henry Hunt’
This old Nancy and her husband were both at Peterloo, and, I believe, both were wounded, at all events, the woman was.
She wore on that memorable day a black petticoat, which she afterwards transformed into a black flag which on the 16th of August used to be hung out and a green cap of liberty attached there to.
In the year 1838 a new cap of liberty was made, and hung out with the black flag on the anniversary of the Peterloo massacre.
These terrible and terrifying emblems of sedition alarmed the then powers that existed and our then chief constable -no lover of democracy- was ordered by a magistrate to march a host of special constables and all the civil power he could command and to forcibly seize and take possession of these vile emblems of Anarchy and base Revolution. Off they marched . . . but the women of that part of the borough heard of the contemplated raid that was likely to befall their cherished emblems. And the women drew them in and hid them.
Up this gallant and brave band of men went to the front door of poor old Nancy Clayton, and placed themselves in daring military array while the chief constable with a subordinate marched upstairs, and amongst the women there he found my old friend “Riah Witty, who told the writer what follows.
Imperiously and haughty, as became the chief of so noble a band and in so righteous a cause, he demanded the Black Flag and the cap of Liberty.
My old friend ‘Riah said,
“What has thou to do wi’ cap o’ liberty? Thou never supported liberty, not aught ‘ut belongs thee?”
However, the chamber was searched and the poor black flag was found under the bed and taken prisoner .. the house was searched from top to bottom for the cap of liberty, but neither the genius of the chief nor his subordinate could find the missing emblems of Revolution. Off this gallant band of men marched with poor old Nancy’s petticoat – the black flag never more to grace a radical banquet of potatoe pies and home brewed ale …
The Saturday after this grand demonstration ‘Riah Witty met the chief constable, and she exclaimed, “Now, thou didna find that cap o’ liberty, did tha?” “No”, he said, “I didna ‘Riah, where was it?” She said “I knew thou couldna find it; it were where thou duratna go for it”…
From the recollections of William Aitken, weaver and life-long radical. Published in the Ashton Reporter, 30th. January, 1869.
Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk
