William Prowting Roberts

[2] Roberts was a popular public speaker in the West Country where he also defended fellow Chartists in court.

Roberts held an inquest into the Haswell colliery explosion,[1] September 1844, in which 95 miners lost their lives.

[1] "In making this arrangement, Mr R's principle motive is to give an opportunity to the pitmen in that neighbourhood of consulting him without their having the trouble of coming to Newcastle."

Roberts was the legal adviser to the Miners' National Association from 1858 to 1863 where he was forced out by the president, Alexander MacDonald as his approach was too anachronistic[1] and out of touch.

Janet Jones had been forced to work for two years in the colliery without payment to repay her debts incurred by their Tommy Shop when her father died.

Roberts actions in court led to her getting her wages and started a large campaign against the Truck system.

[1] In October 1867 he acted for the Fenians who were tried for the murder of a policeman,[1] he was taken into custody after the judge, Colin Blackburn, ordered that his conduct in court was unorderly.

His last notable case was in 1869 involving the miners at Monkwearmouth Colliery where he finally managed to abolish the Bill.

They moved to Heronsgate House in 1867 which was an old school built on O'Connorsville which was the first Chartist land settlement at Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.