The extraordinary solar storm of 1859 was also confirmed by R. Hodgson.

Here's what he said about it:

Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 29
By Royal Astronomical Society, 1861.

"On  a  curious appearance  seen  in  the  Sun" 

at  the  11  November  1859

" While observing a group of solar spots on the 1st September, I was suddenly surprised at the appearance of a very brilliant star of light, much brighter than the sun's surface, most dazzling to the protected eye, illuminating the upper edges of the adjacent spots and streaks, not unlike in effect the edging of the clouds at sunset; the rays extended in all directions; and the centre might be compared to the dazzling brilliancy of the bright star a Lyra when seen in a large telescope with low power. It lasted for some five minutes, and disappeared instantaneously about 11.25 A M. Telescope used, an equatoreal refractor 6 inches aperture, carried by clockwork; power, a single convex lens, 100, with a pale neutral tint sunglass; the whole aperture was used with a diagonal reflector. "The phenomenon was of too short duration to admit of a micrometrical drawing, but an eye sketch was taken, from which the enlarged diagram f has been made; and from a photograph taken at Kew the previous day, the size of the group appears to have been about 2m 8 or say 60,000 miles. "The magnetic instruments at Kew were simultaneously disturbed to a great extent. "Nov 11 1859"  (Hodgson  presented  a sketch,  apparently  no  longer  extant,  of his  observation at  the meeting.)"

By Richard Carrington
The eruptions are indicated by A and B
Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 29
By Royal Astronomical Society, 1861.