The Tudge Luddite.

In England, in the 1800's, there was much opposition to modernistion especially in the textile industry.

The Encyclopedia Brittanica says:-

Luddite, member of the organized bands of 19th-century English handicraftsmen who rioted for the destruction of the textile machinery that was displacing them. The movement began in the vicinity of Nottingham toward the end of 1811 and in the next year spread to Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. The "Ludds," or Luddites, were generally masked and operated at night. Their leader, real or imaginary, was known as King Ludd, after a probably mythical Ned Ludd. They eschewed violence against persons and often enjoyed local support.

In 1812 a band of Luddites was shot down under the orders of a threatened employer named Horsfall (who was afterward murdered in reprisal). The government of Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, instituted severe repressive measures culminating in a mass trial at York in 1813, which resulted in many hangings and transportations. Similar rioting in 1816 was caused by the depression that followed the Napoleonic Wars; but the movement was soon ended by vigorous repression and reviving prosperity.

I have discovered the following information in the Lancashire Mining Museum in Salford (now closed).

"Luddites that have taken the unlawful oath about Walkden Moor - being workmen for the Trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater"

One of the Luddites listed was a Thomas Tudge who lived at Worsley and was employed as a collier.

I don't begin to understand the Luddite organistion but I gather that members had to be "twisted in" to the organisation and eventually had to be "twisted out" - whatever this may mean.

Thomas Tudge was Twisted in on 29th May 1812 at Linnyshaw by a William Howarth Carpenter (who seemed to "twist in" a large number of other colliers around this time). Thomas was "untwisted" on the 27th August 1812 by a Mr Wright. Thomas said "he is very sorry and will do no more".

I have found a copy of the Luddite Oath which reads as follows:

I Thomas Tudge, God willing, of my own free Will and decord, do declare and Solemnly swear, that I will never reveal to any, this secret Committee, their place or places of abode that compose it, their Complexion, Connexion or Trade, or anything else that may lead to a discovery of the same, under the Penalty of my being sent out of the World by the first Brother who esteem me, My Name and Character blotted out of existance, never to be remembered anymore, but with contempt and Abhorrence. I furthermore do swear I will use my best Endevour to punish by Death, any Traitor or Traitors, should any rise up amongst us, wherever I can find him or them, and though they fly to the verge of Nature, I will persue them with unceasing Vengeance. So help me God, to keep this Oath immutable. Amen.

Now what do you think of the Tudge family!!!

Back to the Tudge Family Page.

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