General Chat

Sixteen ascott women sentenced to hard labour Many people have heard of the Tolpuddle Martyrs but how many know about the Ascott Martyrs? The ‘Ascott Martyrs’ were 16 women from Ascott-under-Wychwood who were sent to prison for picketing during a strike of local farm labourers. Trade Unions had been legalised in 1871 giving people the right to join a Union, but not allowing them to prevent other people from working. In April 1872 the National Agricultural Labourers’ Union was started and within six months, membership of this Union went into six figures. By 1873 the situation of farm workers was bad, working hours were long and the pay was low. Something had to change, and the Union men employed on a farm owned by Robert Hambridge in Ascott-under-Wychwood decided they had no choice but to go on strike to get better pay of 14 shillings a week. Robert Hambridge retaliated and employed two non-Union men. The striking men took no action, but the women in the village did. Some 30-40 women picketed the farm and “indulged in strong language and vehement gestures” on behalf of ‘Union principles’ to intimidate the two labourers with a view to inducing them to leave their employment. The village policeman was called and took down 17 of the women’s names, the rest dispersing and returning home. Robert Hambridge brought a private prosecution against the 17 women and they were brought for trial at Chipping Norton on 21 st May. The women were not represented, and hardly any defence was put forward. Out of the 17 women on trial, one was acquitted, 7 were sentenced to ten days hard labour in the Oxford Prison, and 9 women were sentenced to seven days. Their sentences were seen as very harsh and gave rise to local disturbance, and a large crowd gathered outside the police station where the women were being held. Windows were smashed and doors battered by the rioting crowds, and the situation got so bad that the police sent a telegram to Oxford asking for help. A wagon load of police arrived and at 2am the 16 women and two of their babies were taken under heavy guard to the prison. The imprisonment of the women was taken up by the national press, and questions were asked in the House of Commons. Queen Victoria, acting on the strength of public opinion, ordered the women to be released. Ironically, this came on the last day of the women’s sentence. A large crowd and many leading public figures greeted the women on their release from prison. On their arrival at Chipping Norton, the National Agricultural Labourers’ Union gave an address on the injustice of the convictions of the Ascott women, of unionism and the rights of the working class to combine. Largely due to the Ascott women, the farm workers did get their pay rise, and a change in the law was brought about on picketing, which to this day is significant. The 16 Ascott women who received a prison sentence were: (Name, Age, Occupation, Hard LabourSentence) Lavina Dring 44 Glover 7 days Fanny Honeyborn 16 Glover 10 days Amelia Moss 36 Labourer 7 days Ann Moss 22 Labourer 10 days Ann Susan Moss 25 Labourer 10 days Caroline Moss 18 Glover 7 days Charlotte Moss 39 Labourer 10 days Jane Moss 31 Labourer 7 days Martha Moss 33 Glover 7 days Mary Moss also called Smith 17 Servant 10 days Mary Moss 35 Glover 7 days Rebecca Smith 25 Labourer 10 days Elizabeth Pratley 29 Labourer 7 days Ellen Pratley 25 Labourer 7 days Mary Pratley 33 Labourer 7 days Martha Smith 45 Labourer 10 days For further information about the Ascott women and the case, see the original records held at Oxfordshire Record Office. (Ref: CPZ 16/1-2) enjoy Sandra

thankyou for sharing that information, i found it really interesting reading lol sandra

Marion, I think you are right, these women had to be strong- I suppose they would do anything to keep their babies from starving. Thank goodness things have changed for the better today!!!

when I printed this you could read the names in a list I had hoped it might help someone to find some rellies but it seem that pages dont always print as we write could do with a preview message before we send. sandra