Friday 29 June 2012

29th June 1812: Arms raids in Holmfirth

At 1.00 a.m. on Monday 29th June 1812, Cookson Stephenson & his family were asleep in their beds when they were roused by a loud banging at the door. From the safety of his bedroom, Stephenson enquired who was there, and the reply came "General Ludd".

Stephenson decided to go down and open up - ten men, armed and in disguise, came in. A man who seemed to be their leader demanded Stephenson's pistols, but Stephenson could only give them one - he told them that the other was at the local Blacksmiths for repair. The men left, being very courteous to Stephenson.

But the arms raiding was not over with that night. The men did visit the Blacksmiths and obtained Stephenson's pistol. They also obtained 5 other weapons in the neighbourhood that night.

As reported in the Lancaster Gazette of 18th July 1812.

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