Curiosities of Staffordshire- The Pottery Riots 1842
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- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- This time we are back in Burslem at St John's churchyard to take a look at the supposed grave of a young man killed in the Pottery Riots of 1842, one of the earliest examples of mass industral action involving the Chartist movement.
Curiously, the grave in question is dated 1837, placing the interred's death some 5 years before the riots and so it is debatable as to whether this is indeed the grave of the striker mentioned or just pure coincidence that the rhyme refers to a man who was shot.
The grave depicted in the video in St Johns churchyard, Burslem is indeed the grave of Nathaniel Johnson of Burslem who was buried on July 14th 1837 aged 15 years. Nathaniel was christened on 10th March 1822 at St John, Burslem, the son of Samuel Johnson, a miner, and his wife Ann. The boy who was shot during the Pottery Riots of 1842 was named Josiah Heapy, aged 19 years from Leek, Staffs. Josiah was buried on August 18th 1842 at St Edwards, in Leek.
Joan Salmon That is very interesting. Thank you! Have you any idea what the story behind the 'shot that killeth' Nathaniel Johnson is?
I've checked the burial records but there is no cause of death given or notes unfortunately...I've also checked for any newspaper reports around that time but so far found nothing, but I'll keep looking and get back to you if I find any more information. I really enjoy your tours round Staffordshire !
Good ol' Burslem, my mum worked at the Royal Doulton factory that was there in the 80's. Many times I would come to meet her, getting off the bus from Hanley on my way home. A nice, unpretentious sort of place!
My grandmother lived in, what was then Wood Street, and I was brought up with the story of the 16 year old orphan.
Could quite possibly be the bread riots which were earlier. That is story story I have been told.
On the left extremity of your shot in a polished obelisk. I was taught that this was erected by the friends of a man hung for murder at the Stafford Assizes. The 'grave' I was told contained no body. Have you heard that story?
I believe hat My GGGrand father was one of the troops, 64th of Foot, He came over in 1840 and a son was born in William street Hanley, ( now Yates st ) He lived in No5 Bournes Bank, He died in 1873,, and is intered in St Johns Burslem with 2 sons, In 1861 censors he is down as a Chelsea Pensioner,
Mm, Rrr, mmm rr, err, mmm bloody he'll REHEARSE
Dear Potter no 1,
Very interesting item. I think the young man who was killed may have been Josiah Heapy who was an ancestor of mine. He was an orphan, but was 19 years old. Josiah was a shoemaker from Leek, who went on the demonstration in 1842 and was shot dead by the troops. He was originally from Quarnford.
There is a recent article about the story stokeunison.wordpress.com/join-unison/tu-history/ and I have a copy of a newspaper article published at the time.
Josiah Heapy aged 19 years is buried at St Edwards, Leek, Staffs. He was buried 18th August 1842.
Wrong use on 'antagnostic' there.