A Tolpuddle martyr reading list

A Tolpuddle Martyr Reading List

The two most important and comprehensive books on the Martyrs are the one by Joyce Marlow in 1971, and that published by the Trades Union Council (TUC) in 1934 to commemorate the Centennial. Used book websites, such as ABE.com, are awash with them.

There does not seem to be much published genealogy, although the best place for such information seems to be by way of the Tolpuddle list. Len Bealing’s papers, deposited in the Dorset Record Office, are a gold mine of genealogical information, but they have not been edited and assembled in a manner amenable for easy research. The booklet "The Martyrs of Tolpuddle, Settlers in Canada" has several pages of Loveless, Brine, Standfield and Hammett genealogy tables.

The Museum in Tolpuddle has a comprehensive collection of material.

The most sought reference, however, has not been yet been found. It is a 4 page article published in the Methodist Recorder, Christmas Annual Magazine, in 1907. The author is Henry James Brine. The importance of this article is that it would be the first to describe the Martyrs’ life after moving to Canada. If you ever find this article, please "make my day" [email protected].

Marlow, Joyce. The Tolpuddle Martyrs. U.K. 1971
This is a very thorough and scholarly account of the Martyrs. The sources are very comprehensive, and the facts are well researched. There is an excellent bibliography.
Marlow’s book also came out as a paperback in 1974. The paperback edition has 16 illustrations while the hardcover has 21.

Citrine, Walter (editor). The Martyrs of Tolpuddle. London: TUC, 1934.
This centenary celebration book has a labour "canonization" bias, but is nevertheless a very comprehensive and excellent reference.

Anderson, Geoffrey. "The Martyrs of Tolpuddle, Settlers in Canada" 2nd edition 2002. 70 pages

Bealing, L. O. Papers.
Len Bealing spent many years researching the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ lines, and in 1989 his widow deposited his papers in the Dorset Record Office, Dorchester, Dorset.
These are essentially journals, working papers, drafts, and various pieces of correspondence, and as such contain many contradictions. No doubt Bealing knew what was wheat and what was chaff however, anyone using them must realize that not everything in them is correct, and so should be guided accordingly. There are some books of vital stat extracts arranged chronologically that are particularly valuable, and it would be a great service if someone organized and published them.

Benjafield, Gail. "And Who Were Then the Gentlemen?" The Ontario Genealogical Society Journal Families, Vol 30, No. 2, 1991

Brooks H. Six Heroes In Chains Poole: The Wessex Press, 1929.

Evatt, H.V. ( Rt.Hon. ) Mr.Justice INJUSTICE WITHIN THE LAW Sydney. The Law Book Company of Australasia Ltd. 1937
A study of the case of the Dorsetshire labourers ( The Tolpuddle Martyrs ) who were transported to Australia in 1834.

Hawkes, Arthur. Tolpuddle Martyrs First to Seek Rural Betterment. A series of 4 articles in the Farmers Sun from October 22, 1921 to November 9, 1921.
This is a very detailed important article on the Martyrs in Canada. Somehow it seems to have escaped the attention of Marlow and others. Rattenbury’s 2nd edition preface mentions Hawkes but not the article itself. Hawkes was involved in first tracking down the descendents in Canada, and indeed takes the credit for breaking the story to the descendents in 1912.

Hutt, Allen. Tolpuddle & To-day. A historical comment on the T.U.C. Tolpuddle Centenary Campaign. Stanhope Press. 1934. This booklet is really only of interest because of its Marxist viewpoint. It attacks the TUC for exploiting the martyrs and ignoring the real struggle of the working class.

Leverette, Clarke E. Our Fourth Concession. A 19th century history of lots nine to twelve of the Fourth Concession, London Township. The Northridge-Stoneybrook Community Association. London 1969.
The Lovelesses farmed lot 11. This booklet has a sketch of the George Loveless rocking chair.

MALLESON, Miles and H Brooks SIX MEN OF DORSET
A Play in Two Acts and an Epilogue (The Tolpuddle play) London, Victor Gollancz, 1934, pp96. Play about the Tolpuddle Martyrs from George Loveless' account..

Padden, Graham An Historical Account Through the Eyes of George Loveless London: Trades Union Congress, 1984.. ISBN:1-85006-041-X.

The purpose of this booklet is to present the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs through the words of those involved at the time. The main narrative is supplied by George Loveless pamphlet The Victims of Whiggery, written from a diary he kept during his years of exile. This is interspersed with press reports, letters, official documents and records.

Rattenbury, Owen. Flame of Freedom. The Romantic Story of the Topuddle Martyrs. London: Epworth Press, 1931.
(note: There are 2 editions. The 2nd edition (1933) contains a preface that updates the 1st edition with respect to the Martyrs in Canada, drawing mainly from the Hawkes article.

Simpson, Rose Marie and Harding, Ken. Siloam United Church History 1857-1982.

Talbot, Allen G. In Memory of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Ontario Historical Society, Volume LXII Number 1, March 1970.
This is a pretty good article. It deals with the detective work of finding the descendents and the Martyrs’ graves in Canada.

Walker, W. Maitland. An Impartial Appreciation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, vol LV. Pages 47-76. 1934.
This article was published separately as a Booklet reprint. It attempts to "balance" preemptively, the labour bias evident in the TUC centenary book issued a bit later in 1934.