The Yorkshire Rebellion 1820
After the Napoleonic Wars were over, the economy of Britain became unstable. Also, thousands of soldiers returned home and were unable to find work. By 1819, reformers across industrial Britain began to push for political change. Huddersfield was threatened with attack and men from Barnsley were going to join the uprising.
At that time linen weaving was the main occupation in Barnsley and they were suffering economic hardships too.
There was also unrest in Sheffield.
Leaders of the radical group in Barnsley, William Comstive and Richard Addy, both local weavers and ex-soldiers, were arrested. John Blackwell was arrested in Sheffield but he was sentenced to 30 months and released.
Other 'rebels' found guilty of High Treason, were transported to Van Diemen's Land on the convict ship 'Lady Ridley' in 1820/1, and in 1822 some arrived on the 'Phoenix'.
Among them William Comstive, 28; Richard Addy, 29; John Burkenshaw, 28;James Chapel, 25; Joseph Firth, 25; Benjamin Hanson, 24; John Lindley, John Peacock, Benjamin Rogers, 30; John Valance, 24; John Ferrymond, 25; William Holland, Michael Downing, Nathan Buckley, Thomas Blackburne, George Birkinshaw, John Hobson, Abraham Ingham, 27; George Brian, James Flowers, 49; Charles Stansfield, 28; and William Rice. 40.
