Hi 1819 ...this was the year of the Peterloo riot in Manchester. A large crowd had gathered to demand better parliamentary representation for the working classes and the authorities came down on them like a ton of bricks ... several folk were killed. I'm sure you'll get the details if you put it into google. This was the beginning of the movement for Reform of the Voting system ...not that they got anything very fast. First Reform act wasn't passed until 1832...but eventually we got universal suffrage. So perhaps there was unrest in Newmills too....lacemakers getting teed off??? Irene > > > Don't know why they were recruiting special constables at that time. > Let me know if you want any photos taken! > > Going out for the evening but happy to pore over a map tomorrow! > > > Kay McMeekin > Darvel > Ayrshire > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > AYRSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >