25 Jun 05 William Davidson
Born :  1781 Jamaica - Died 1820 London

William Davidson was born in Jamaica in 1781. He was the son of the Jamaican Attorney General. William was sent to Glasgow, Scotland and at the age of 14 started to study law. At this time William got involved in parliamentary reform. He wanted to change the way Britain was governed. He wanted everybody to have a vote, not just the rich and he wanted to improve life for those who lived in poverty. After his studies William joined the Royal Navy as a sailor. When he left the navy his father sent him to Aberdeen to study maths.

He didn’t enjoy studying so he moved to Birmingham and began a cabinet making business. After a while his business failed so he moved to London. There he got married to a widow with four children and had another two. At this time he also became a Wesleyan Methodist and taught at the local Sunday school. Eventually William Davidson became involved in politics again.

He wanted all people to have a say in how Britain was governed, not only the rich people. Many people were still living in poverty. He wanted to improve conditions for them. William joined Marylebone Union Reading Society and read newspapers with new ideas about government. He also became involved with a man called Thistlewood and a group called the Spencean Society who wanted the land to be fairly divided between all people. The group planned to kill some government ministers who were going to dine at Lord Harrowbys. Davidson was friend with a servant who told him that Lord Harrowby was not in London. Thistlewood said that the servant was lying.

On the twenty third of February the gang went to Cato Street but the government ministers were not there. They had been set up by George Edwards, one of their group. Thirteen police officers came in. The gang refused to surrender their weapons. One of the policemen was killed by Thistlewood. William tried to get out but he got hit. Then the police arrested all five conspirators.

On the twenty eighth of April 1820, Davidson was found guilty. He was executed in Newgate prison.

I think he’s a villain because he tried to fight his way out.

The Execution of Thistlewood, Ings, Brunt Davidson and Tidd for High Treason.  May 16th 1820.

The Cato Street Conspiracy

As part of Westminster's Black History Month we have been looking at the Cato Street Conspiracy. In Particular we have focused on William Davidson who was one of the conspirators and black, in a time of prejudice and class division. We have been writing newspaper reports from the time, reporting the execution of the conspirators in a positive and negative way. Can you tell which reports are which by the language used.

The Cato Street Conspiracy involved a group of men who planned to kidnap a leading member of cabinet and kill him in order to change the political system in Britain to make the country a fairer place to live.However their plan failed and they were arrested before Lord Harrowby was hurt.

On the 28th of April 1820Arthur Thistlewood, William Davidson, James Ings, Richard Tidd and John Brunt, were found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. These men were executed at Newgate Prison on the 1st of May, 1820.

Innocent Hero Hanged!

May 2nd 1820

Five innocent people called Arthur Thistlewood, William Davidson, James Ings, Richard Tidd and John Brunt, were all hanged yesterday on May 1st for committing treason, but it was a fair crime for he was only trying to make Britain a better place by stopping slavery and racism. After hanging the hero William Davidson outside Newgate Prison his head was chopped off. While being hanged the crowed all wanted the heroes to be set free for they wanted slavery and racism to stop as well. All of the crowd was trying to get past but unfortunately the guards stopped them.

I have interviewed a lady, Mrs Jones, and she wants it all to stop. So Mrs Jones, what have you got to say about this? “I think that William Davidson was a true hero, all he wanted to do was make Britain a better place foe all of us so no one has the right to kill him.” She was very right about all of it. William Davidson left his wife and two children by themselves but I’m sure they will grow up and be just like their father William Davidson.

Innocent Hero Unfairly Hanged

May 2nd 1820

William Davidson was unjustly hanged yesterday for an unfair crime. He was hanged near Newgate Prison. He was accused for his colour as well. He had another four men hanging beside him who members of the ringleaders of the Cato Street Conspiracy. Their names were Richard Tidd, Arthur Thistlewood, William Davidson, James Ings and John Brunt. The massive crowd were demanding help and freedom for William and his gang. Everyone was focusing at William because he was black. He was the only black member of the conspiracy. He had a wife called Sarah Lane, and two children both boys. One was called James and his other son was called Duncan. They were all heartbroken. One policeman got accidentally stabbed but it wasn’t their fault they were completely innocent they were just passing by. I personally think that it was a totally unfair crime. He was just standing up for himself. The crowd also gave some money to his wife and kids. Thousands were beaten by the police. The spy for the government, George Edwards, was cheating on Davidson. I interviewed a person from the crowd and this is what she thought about the disastrous hanging. “ I think it’s absolutely disgraceful that someone could find such an evil plan” “Its just disgusting to look at someone dying like that.” She sounded astonished and sadly she started crying. Well that’s all we have about the Hero WILLIAM.