Was Your Ancestor in the Bristol Riots?

There have been a number of Bristol Riots, the most recent being in 1980, but the most notorious took place between 26 & 31 October 1831, ostensibly in favour of “Reform” – to extend the right to vote. The skies of Bristol glowed blood red from the fires lit by the mob, the Bridewell and Gaol were torched and the prisoners freed. There were 250 casualties, killed and wounded. Five men were executed, Christopher DAVIS, John KEYES, Richard VINES, Thomas GREGORY and William CLARKE.

The following is a list of the more fortunate smaller fry with, where possible, the punishments they received.  It will be seen that a number of them have “death recorded” against their names. In these cases the sentences were commuted to transportation for life.  It is stated that when these individuals  “were given to believe that their lives would spared, a few seemed to care little, being heard to say, “Thank you, My Lord.” Patrick Kearney was more voluble, and cried “Thank Ye, My Lord. My life’s spared till Ireland’s free. Sweet Ireland For Ever!” It seems to me that a disproportionate number, from their surnames, were “Bristol Irish.”

• In my booklet “Brislington Bulletins, no. 7, 1825-40” I stated that no Brislington parishioner was involved, then lo and behold along came John Jellamy who, in 1827, lodged with my distant kinfolk William and Harriet PILLINGER.
• This article was prompted by an email from Peter & Roslyn Dunning from Australia peteandros@westnet.com.au who are descendants of the cheeky chappie Aaron Martin.  It is great to know that he survived down under. If anybody knows his parentage – he lived at Lewin’s Mead and his father was a farmer, please contact Peter and Ros.
• The above information with much more detail can be found in Bristol Mercury 3 January & 17 January, 1832. It is interesting to note that this newspaper was against capital punishment and argued forcibly, sadly without success, for the reprieve of the five men who were hanged and made much of the discrepancies of the sentences between them and a number of the others.