Now I first came across Joseph Johnson in 1847 when he was the subject of a newspaper article by the radical journalist Alexander Somerville.*
In that year Mr Somerville had walked from Manchester into Chorlton and on to Northenden looking for evidence of potato blight.
He didn’t find any sign of the disease but in the course of his travels did met some of the local farmers of Chorlton from whom he learned of the “radical potato” which was a type grown by Joseph Johnson.
Mr Johnson, was on the platform in St Peter’s Field, during the Peterloo Massacre and was arrested for “assembling with unlawful banners at an unlawful meeting for the purpose of inciting discontent,” found guilty, and on his release in 1821 settled in Northenden.
He was born in Manchester which some sources narrow down to Didsbury in 1791 and became a successful brush maker.
And I have visited his story already, but as so often happens today up popped a bit more on the man from my old friend Lawrence who sent me two photographs linked to the man, adding, “Attached is two photos.
Notice the first name on the gravestone is Elizabeth his wife.
Died Feb 8th 1821 aged 26. This was when Joseph Johnson was in prison for his part in Peterloo. The trial of Hunt, Johnson, Bamford and three others was in March 1820 at the York Assizes. I think he received a one year sentence. Apparently the authorities refused to allow him to attend the funeral at Saint Wilfred parish church Northenden.
I know it's not a great photo. Other items to note the name of the cottage Sanedelen, also the use of the long S that looks like a F at the top of the grave but had ceased by the time of Johnson's death in 1872.”
On his release he settled in the Northenden and we can track him in the village from 1841 through till his death in 1872.
During that time he gave his occupation variously as brush maker and later land proprietor and it will be as such that he planted potatoes which became known as “radicals.”
It seems such a petty, vindictive l response on the part of the Government that he was not allowed to attend his wife’s funeral.
So with the anniversary of Peterloo just last month I think it is timely to print these two pictures and remember Joseph Johnson, his contribution to the campaign for extending the vote and the mean way Government’s can act against those they deem a threat.
Location; Northenden
Pictures; the gravestone of Elizabeth Johnson and the window in St Wilfred parish church, from the collection of Lawrence Beedle
*Joseph Johnson, radical, farmer and almost a Chorlton Chartist, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Joseph%20Johnson
He didn’t find any sign of the disease but in the course of his travels did met some of the local farmers of Chorlton from whom he learned of the “radical potato” which was a type grown by Joseph Johnson.
Mr Johnson, was on the platform in St Peter’s Field, during the Peterloo Massacre and was arrested for “assembling with unlawful banners at an unlawful meeting for the purpose of inciting discontent,” found guilty, and on his release in 1821 settled in Northenden.
He was born in Manchester which some sources narrow down to Didsbury in 1791 and became a successful brush maker.
And I have visited his story already, but as so often happens today up popped a bit more on the man from my old friend Lawrence who sent me two photographs linked to the man, adding, “Attached is two photos.
Notice the first name on the gravestone is Elizabeth his wife.
I know it's not a great photo. Other items to note the name of the cottage Sanedelen, also the use of the long S that looks like a F at the top of the grave but had ceased by the time of Johnson's death in 1872.”
On his release he settled in the Northenden and we can track him in the village from 1841 through till his death in 1872.
During that time he gave his occupation variously as brush maker and later land proprietor and it will be as such that he planted potatoes which became known as “radicals.”
It seems such a petty, vindictive l response on the part of the Government that he was not allowed to attend his wife’s funeral.
So with the anniversary of Peterloo just last month I think it is timely to print these two pictures and remember Joseph Johnson, his contribution to the campaign for extending the vote and the mean way Government’s can act against those they deem a threat.
Location; Northenden
Pictures; the gravestone of Elizabeth Johnson and the window in St Wilfred parish church, from the collection of Lawrence Beedle
*Joseph Johnson, radical, farmer and almost a Chorlton Chartist, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Joseph%20Johnson
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