Rachel Molly Hamilton, also known as Big Rachel, (1829–1899) was an Irish-born woman who was a special constable during the Partick Riots in Glasgow in 1875.
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Early life
Hamilton was born in Ireland, later living in Partick, Glasgow in Scotland with her husband. She was 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall and weighed around 17 st (240 lb; 110 kg), and became known as 'Big Rachel'. She held a variety of jobs considered unusual for women at the time, including working as a labourer in Tod and Macgregor's shipyard, as a forewoman navvy in the brickworks at Jordanhill, and as a farm labourer.
The Partick riots
The Partick riots started on 6 August 1875, the centenary of Daniel O'Connell's birth, 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. The centre of what was said to be a major civil disturbance was at Partick Cross. 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.
Commemorating Hamilton
Her story is now included as part of a walking tour run by Glasgow Women's Library that highlights notable local women. The tour company "Gallus Pedals" has named a bicycle after her as one of ten Glasgow women "Trailblazers" in various categories.
Hamilton is in the category "Women who Shaped Glasgow's Social Change"