Description: It was started by young boys accidentally breaking a window of the Catholic Chapel in St. James's Parade. A number of people took action against a neighbour who attempted to admonish the boys, whereupon they destroyed the chapel's windows, doors and furnishing and burnt it down, along with six or seven adjoining houses. The Bath Militia tried to break up an 8,000 to 10,000 strong mob, killing one. It is now known as the Gordon Riots and the chapel is the Hope Chapel in St. James's Park.
Newspaper cutting, 12th June 1780.