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Letter written to Home Secretary John Russell (1792-1878) by the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
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Letter written to Home Secretary John Russell (1792-1878) by the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
The letter written to Home Secretary John Russell (1792-1878) by the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, 1836. 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 14959540
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Combination Acts English Text Friendly Society Home Secretary John Russell Letter Martyr Martyrdom Regulations Russell Tolpuddle Martyrs Trades Union Congress Western Script Wives
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This print captures a significant piece of history - a letter written to Home Secretary John Russell by the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1836. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of agricultural laborers from Dorset who faced conviction for taking an oath as members of the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. This society, structured like a friendly society and operating as a trade-specific benefit society, had elements that resembled modern-day trade unions. During this time, combining or organizing for better working conditions was outlawed due to the Combination Acts before 1824/25. As a result, these brave individuals were sentenced to transportation to Australia. However, their unjust convictions sparked public outcry and garnered immense support with around 800,000 signatures collected for their release. The subsequent march organized by their supporters became one of the first successful political marches in UK history. Eventually, all but one member (James Hammett) - who had prior criminal records unrelated to this case - were released in 1836. This image is taken from "The Book of The Martyrs of Tolpuddle: 1834-1934" published by The Trades Union Congress General Council in 1934. It serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by early labor movements and highlights how collective action can bring about change even against great odds.
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