Rachel Hamilton
Rachel Molly Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1829 |
| Died | 1899 |
Early life[]
Hamilton was born in Ireland, but lived in Partick, Glasgow in Scotland with her husband.[1] She was 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed around 238 pounds (107.95 kilograms). She held a variety of unusual jobs including working as a labourer in Tod and MacGregor's shipyard, as a forewoman navy in the Jordanhill Brickworks and as a farm labourer.[2]
The Partick riots[]
The Partick Riots took place on the centenary of Daniel O'Connell's birth on 6 August 1875 and lasted for three days. The Irish immigrants decided to celebrate O'Connell's birth with a march and other Glaswegians rose up in protest. Partick's population expanded by over 50% during the 1870s, from 17,700 to 27,400.[3] The centre of what was said to be a major civil disturbance was at Partick Cross.[4] Partick was responsible for its own policing as a police burgh. Hamilton was one of around 30 locals sworn in as special constables, who were responsible for driving the rioters back.[5]
Her story is now included as part of a walking tour run by Glasgow Women's Library that highlights notable local women.[6]
References[]
- ^ "Rachel Hamilton (1829–1899)". Illuminated Letters. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
- ^ ABACUS, Scott Graham. "TheGlasgowStory: Big Rachel". www.theglasgowstory.com. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
- ^ Greenhorne, William (1928) History of Partick 550-1912 p. 154
- ^ Inga Brandes (2006). Being poor in modern Europe: historical perspectives 1800-1940. Peter Lang. p. 127. ISBN 978-3-03910-256-3.
- ^ "Big Rachel and the battle of Partick Cross". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
- ^ "At Large: From Big Rachel to the bombing of the Botanic Gardens". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
- 1829 births
- 1899 deaths
- 19th-century Scottish people
- 19th-century Scottish women
- 19th-century Irish people
- 19th-century Irish women
- People from Partick