Saturday 29 September 2012

29th September 1812: General Acland receives a report about a Luddite Captain at Honley

Holmfirth
29th Septr. 1812

Sir

In consequence of information received from Mr. Blyth, Constable of this place respecting a man of the name of Robt. Harling I beg to transmit the particulars to you, as follows.

Robert Harling of Quarmley Cliff lodges sometimes near Honley, he is about 30 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, lame in one of his hands, thin & rather of a fair complexion, has an effeminate voice, mostly carries a basket slung over his shoulders & goes about the country selling Spices, is believed to be at this time at Halifax, where he lodges a few nights at a time. Barrowclough has given information against him of being the Captain of the Party of Luddites that infested Holmfirth & that neighbourhood, there are four or five Warrants out against him in different Places, issued by Mr. Radcliffe & Mr. Scott, Magistrates some time since. Mr. Blyth and another Constable were out after him at Honley accompanied by four Soldiers of the West Norfolk the greater part of Saturday night last, but did not succeed in finding him, he had been there that day. Mr. Blyth is of opinion he might be apprehended if a Constable a stranger in the Country were sent after him to Halifax & neighbourhood.

I am [etc]
Robt. Sayer
Captn West Norfk. Ma

To
Major General Ackland

This letter can be found at HO 40/2/3.

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