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Churchyard at Tolpuddle showing James Hammetts grave, 1934
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Churchyard at Tolpuddle showing James Hammetts grave, 1934
Churchyard at Tolpuddle showing James Hammetts grave, 1934. The Church of St John The Evangelist, Tolpuddle. In the foreground we see the grave of James Hammett (1811 -1891) the only Tolpuddle martyr to return to live and die in the village after transportation. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century agricultural labourers from Dorset who were convicted of swearing a secret oath as members of the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. The rules of the society show it was clearly structured as a friendly society and operated as a trade-specific benefit society. At the time, friendly societies had strong elements of what would now be considered trade unions. Before 1824/25 the Combination Acts had outlawed combining or organising to gain better working conditions. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were subsequently sentenced to transportation to Australia. Their convictions caused public outcry and 800, 000 signatures were collected for their release. The march organised by thier supporters was one of the first successful political marches in the UK, and all, except James Hammett (who had a previous criminal record for theft) were released in 1836. From The Book of The Martyrs of Tolpuddle: 1834-1934, published by The Trades Union Congress General Council, 1934
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Media ID 14959548
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Churchyard Combination Acts Dorset Friendly Society Grave Regulations Trades Union Congress Hammett James Hammett Tolpuddle
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the serene Churchyard at Tolpuddle, a historic site that holds great significance in British labor history. In the foreground stands the grave of James Hammett, the only one among the famous Tolpuddle Martyrs to return and spend his final days in this peaceful village after enduring transportation to Australia. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of courageous agricultural laborers from Dorset who faced unjust convictions for their involvement in the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. This society, structured as a friendly society with trade-specific benefits, held elements that resembled modern-day trade unions. However, during that time period, combining or organizing for better working conditions was prohibited by law. The sentencing of these brave men sparked public outrage across Britain and garnered immense support for their release. A remarkable 800,000 signatures were collected in protest against their unfair treatment. The subsequent march organized by their supporters became one of the earliest successful political marches in UK history. Published within "The Book of The Martyrs of Tolpuddle: 1834-1934" by The Trades Union Congress General Council (1934), this poignant image serves as a reminder of both past injustices and triumphs achieved through collective action. It symbolizes resilience and solidarity while honoring those who fought tirelessly for workers' rights during an era marked by social inequality and oppression.
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