L30/18/27/2

From John Lafont, Hinxworth Rectory, Baldock to 3rd Baron Grantham, Wrest Park, Silsoe:

5,6 Dec 1830

From: 1830 To: 1830

Account of the sequence of events during the unrest, and his actions, “It was late on Friday night before I was acquainted with the revolutionary proceedings in Bedfordshire of Thursday...but it struck me at once, not only of local importance but as vitally essential for the general good... that a blow should be struck at Stotfold before dark on Saturday.” At Stotfold 300 men and dogs, accompanied by 130 of Grantham’s men from Silsoe, suppressed the rioters, and “The parish of Stotfold... was in deepest tranquility all night”. He reports “all the threshing machines hereabouts are pulled down by their owners - hence you see the labourers have succeeded... added to which the farmers have been so far intimidated as to raise their wages generally.” He organises an additional 10 men, fearing further unrest the following day. Continues on Monday 6 December, reporting that he journeys to Therfield and Thelshall, finding them “perfectly quiet”.

item

STOTFOLD, Baldock, Wrest Park, SILSOE, rioting, dogs, labourer