The Hampshire Family Historian | Vol.49 No.2 | September 2022

Local Group Programmes

(July) The Tolpuddle Martys – Ron Bryan The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of six agricultural workers from Dorset who tried to improve pay and conditions in the 1830s. Following a ‘sham’ trial, they were transported to Australia but, due to mounting pressure, were later pardoned and returned home. They have become celebrated figures ever since. Ron started by giving us a comprehensive overview of the political situation at the time. The Whig government of 1830-34 were great reformers, passing the Reform Act in 1832 and abolishing slavery in 1833. However, against this backdrop, agricultural workers lived in abject poverty and were near starvation. Average wages were between 9 to 10 shillings a week - but their weekly expenditure was over 13 shillings, which was clearly unsustainable. Farmers were powerful and had influence over the judiciary. The Swing Riots had begun across the south. Hard winters in 1829 and 1830 and poor soil over chalk led to talks about higher wages but actually resulted in the workers receiving less money. The six men, led by Methodist preacher George Loveless, were prompted to form a ‘Friendly Society’ in 1833. They each took what was later considered to be an unlawful oath. Under three Acts that were decades old and intended for the military, magistrate Col James Frampton colluded with Home Secretary Lord Melbourne and local farmers to prosecute the six in 1834. A jury made up of farmers and their supporters found them all guilty and sentenced them each to seven years transportation in Australia. The trip took six months. It was a terrible miscarriage of justice. In their immediate absence, movements formed to support them – marches were held and petitions signed. Much was written about them and their plight. After much lobbying (including a new Home Secretary), the King unconditionally pardoned them all in 1836 - but they did not return home for two years. Five of the men returned home together to great acclaim and lived on farms (purchased for them) in Essex - one had returned latterly to Tolpuddle as a carpenter where he later died. In 1844, the ‘Essex five’ emigrated to (present-day) Ontario, Canada in 1844, where they did well for themselves and remained for life. The legacy of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ lives on with books and dramas written; monuments and museums erected; and commemorations and events held in their names. Forthcoming Meetings:

Death and Taxes: Understanding the Death Duty Registers David Annal

September 8th October 13th November 10th December 8th

Members’ Evening

The 1939 Register Peter de Dulin

Christmas Meeting

75