Hopping (1824): alarming disturbance.

Post date: Apr 01, 2012 11:2:7 AM

Extract from Bury and Norwich Post of 15th September 1824:

Extract of a private letter from Wateringbury, Kent, dated Sept. 7;— "ln this neighbourhood, as is usual during the month of September, we are infested with men, women, and children, of all sorts and complexions, and almost from all countries, attracted by the employment offered to them by the different hop-planters in this neighbourhood. I speak within compass when I tell you, that there are many thousands (composed principally of the low Irish) within a circuit of five miles around us. We are actually afraid to retire to rest, as not a night passes without serious and alarming squabbles taking place between them. In the parish of Barming, where Mr. Ellis's plantations are principally situated, broken heads, bloody noses, and frightful riots, are the order of the night (when their day's work is over) which does not cease until the morning sun summonses them to their work.

Yesterday there was a most alarming disturbance in our village between the different hopping fraternity, which originated in a dispute between the two parties—the 'native Irish' and the 'native English,' as they are designated by themselves. By the evening they became most desperate, and, after committing various breaches of the peace, they forcibly took possession of the house of the turnpike-gate keeper, and they were not expelled without several persons being wounded, and one man, of the name of Startup, had his eye nearly cut out with a reaping hook. Two or three of the ringleaders were taken into custody with the greatest difficulty, the rioters rescuing their comrades as fast as they were secured by the constables."

The same letter was also published by Salisbury and Winchester Journal - Monday 13 September 1824, the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette - Thursday 16 September 1824 and Coventry Herald - Friday 17 September 1824