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Birmingham Priestley Riots

  • Thread starter Thread starter harborne
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On page 1 of this thread it says the History by Hutton is available to download from the Birmingham Mainsite, but I can't find the link. Has it been taken off now or can I just now see it for looking at it (as usual!)?

Harborne
 
I know some members are aware of the Internet Archive but may not know of a very readable account of Victorian life and the Chartists Riots in Birmingham. Sorry I dont to links but all the information is as follows.
Internet Archive>Texts> Birmingham>Personal Recollections of Birmingham and Birmingham Men by Edwards, Eliezer 1815 to 1891.
I have not read all of it but if you like the Dickens school of writing it is a cracking read.Hope this helps someone along the way.
 
It's the anniversary of the Priestley Riots of 1791. An an extract from earlier post #10 for those who want to know more Viv

Rod said:
Riots. From Showells Dictionary of Birmingham 1888
In times past the Brums had a bad name for rioting, and when the list is looked over many may think it not undeserved. In July, 1715, the Old Meeting House was destroyed in a riot. In 1737 the nail-makers from Worcestershire marched into this town and forced the ironmongers to sign a paper allowing an advance in prices. Some bigoted brutes got up an anti-Methodist movement in 1751, which culminated in a general riot on Oct. 19, the pulpit and seats being taken out of the meeting-house and burnt. The history of "the Birmingham Riots" of 1791 is world-known, and there is no necessity to repeat the disgraceful tale. The damage was estimated at *‚*£60,000; the sufferers recovered only *‚*£27,000, On Oct. 24, 1793, caused by the enforced collection of the rates levied to pay damages done in riots of 1791. Two more lives lost. June 22, 1795. on account of scarcity of food and the high prices thereof. Soldiers called out, and they gave two unfortunates leaden food enough to kill them. May 28, 1810, two women fell out over the price of some potatoes, others joined in and a scrimmage ensued. Constables came and men mauled them, and the result of the unruly wagging of those two women's tongues was a riot, which lasted four days. Three men were sentenced to grow potatoes at Botany Bay the rest of their lives. March 22, 1813, the chapels in Bond Street, Belmont Row, and Ladywell Walk, with the Jews Synagogue in Severn Street, were damaged by a riotous mob. The Jabet Riots in 1816 were primarily caused by the proprietor of Jabet's Herald publishing an address showing that "a man, wife, and six children could live on 6s. a week." Some cheap food was presented to the printer in the shape of potatoes, with which his windows were smashed. Claims for damages arising out of the Chartist riots of 1839 were made to the amount of *‚*£16,283, of which *‚*£15,027 were allowed, and rates were made on the Hundred of Hemlingford for *‚*£20,000 to cover the same and the expenses attendant thereon. It was a curious coincidence that the rioters of 1839 should have chosen July the 15th for their fiery pranks, the roughs of 1791 having on the same day of the same month, burnt Hutton's and other houses. At the Warwick Assizes, Aug. 8, 1839, Jeremiah Howell, Francis Roberts, and John Jones were sentenced to be hung, Thomas Aston had sentence of death recorded against him, and 13 other hot-heads were ordered various terms of imprisonment, for taking part in the mischief. At Snow Hill Flour Mills, June 29, 1847, arising out of the seizure of sundry short weights. The "Murphy Riots" commenced on Sunday, June 16, 1867, when William Murphy, the Anti-Papal lecturer, delivered his first oration. The police had to clear Carrs Lane with their cutlasses, and Park Street was nearly demolished. An Irishman who threatened Morris Roberts in his public-house was shot by him on the 17th, and the act was declared to be justifiable. There was a disgraceful row (which may well be classed under this heading) at St. Alban's Church, Oct. 13, 1867, in consequence of some ecclesiastical excommunicatory proceedings. The Navigation Street riot of roughs, in which Police-officers Lines and Fletcher were stabbed, took place March 7, 1875. Lines died on the 24th, and was buried at Aston the 29th. The sum of *‚*£840 14s. was gathered to support his wife and daughter. The Assizes, held in the following July, may be called "the Roughs' Reprisals," as one was sentenced to death, four to penal servitude for life, six to fifteen years each (three of them were flogged as well), one to ten years, one to seven years, and four to five years each. A Conservative "demonstration" held at the Lower Grounds, October 13th, 1884, was broken into and disturbed by Liberals, who held a meeting outside and then breached the walls, spoilt the fireworks, and added another to the long list of Birmingham riots.

Showells Dictionary and a History by Hutton is available free to download......... Links via the Birmingham mainsite
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good images viv..i know that the fox and grapes park st was involved in these riots..the first image could be the fox but no way of being certain..

lyn
 
Just been reading this thread again. Poor old Priestley. After 14th July 1791 the rioters proceeded to Priestley's home, Fairhill at Sparkbrook, pillaged it and burnt it to the ground. Moseley Hall followed on 16 July.

What isn't so well known is that after Joseph Priestley had made his escape from Fair Hill he stayed at Wake Green House [on Wake Green Rd] the home of his friend Thomas Hawkes. However, his stay was short-lived as this house too was wrecked!
 
The photo shows 'Lloyd's Farmhouse' in Sparkbrook: a Georgian mansion that survived the Priestley Riots.

The mansion was built c1750 in 53 acre grounds by Sampson Lloyd II of the Lloyds ironmaking, banking and Quaker family.

In 1765 Sampson Lloyd II (1699-1779), his son Sampson Lloyd III (1728-1807) together with his neighbour button maker John Taylor (1711-1775) and his son, also called John (1738-1814) established 'Taylor and Lloyds' Birmingham's first bank and forerunner of Lloyds Banking Group.

As wealthy dissenters the Lloyd family were targets for the rioters. On the 15th July 1791, the rioters burnt down the home of the Lloyd's business partner John Taylor (jnr) at Bordesley Park and then on the 16th rioters burnt down John Taylor (jnr's) other house, Moseley Hall.

When the rioters approached the 'Lloyds Farmhouse', Sampson Lloyd III confronted the rioters and reportedly placated them with 'wise words and refreshments' thus saving the mansion.

'Lloyd's Farmhouse' survives to this day in what is now Farm Park. I understand it is currently occupied by housing association homes. The building is Grade II* listed.

(Sources: Wikipedia articles on 'The Farm, Bordesley', 'Priestley Riots' & 'John Taylor (manufacturer)'; and 'The Lloyds of Lloyd Bank' by TR Gilbert and JB Boothroyd, 1951).
(Photo is a close up of a photo by Tony Hisgett / Flickr 2 Nov 2012, shared here under the terms of this Creative Commons Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en).
 

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  • Bordesley Sparkbrook Lloyds Farm Georgian Farmhouse Photo by Tony Hisgett Flickr 2 Nov 2012 C...jpeg
    Bordesley Sparkbrook Lloyds Farm Georgian Farmhouse Photo by Tony Hisgett Flickr 2 Nov 2012 C...jpeg
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A sketch by M W Eccleston of Moseley Hall. It’s dated 1791, but not sure if this was before or after it was burnt down in the Riots. It was rebuilt at some time. Viv.

8DACE917-20DB-47DD-8165-97DBE542E70B.jpeg
 
Vivienne14 said:
A sketch by M W Eccleston of Moseley Hall. It’s dated 1791, but not sure if this was before or after it was burnt down in the Riots. It was rebuilt at some time. Viv.

View attachment 165120
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The label on the image states it is after the riots.
The five bay three storey building in Eccleston's drawing looks like the centre five bay 3 storey building that is the centre part of the building that stands there today.
 
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