Henry Ashworth (nonconformist)
Encyclopedia
Henry Ashworth was an English cotton
manufacturer, friend of Richard Cobden
, and vigorous supporter of the Anti-Corn Law League
.
, near Bolton, Lancashire, on 4 September 1794, in a Quaker family. He was sent to Ackworth School
run by the Society of Friends. He, in partnership with his brother Edmund, managed mills at Turton
, expanding a business of their father, John Ashworth. Benevolent employers, they established schools, a library and a reading room. Ashworth was a staunch nonconformist, and refused to pay church rates. He supported the schemes of Edwin Chadwick
to implement the Poor Law
of 1834; but was a tough opponent of trades unions. In a dispute with Edmund, the business was split, with Henry taking the mill at New Eagley.
In 1840 he was one of a deputation that waited upon Lord Melbourne to urge the repeal of the corn laws. 'You know,' said the premier, 'that to be impracticable.' Sir Robert Peel was equally unhelpful. In answer to Ashworth's plea that the import of food should not be restricted in order to maintain rents. Sir James Graham called out, 'Why, you are a leveller!' and asked whether he was to infer that the labouring classes had some claim to the landlords' estates. Ashworth protested; in dismissing the deputation Sir James told them that if the corn laws were repealed great disasters would fall upon the country, the land would go out of cultivation, church and state could not be upheld, the national institutions would be reduced to their elements, and the houses of the leaguers would be pulled about their ears by the people they were trying to excite.
In 1843, in company with John Bright
and Cobden, he visited County Durham
, Northumberland
, Cumberland
, and East Lothian
, to survey agriculture—they were sometimes mentioned as the ABC of the League. At the large meeting held in Manchester 23 December 1845, Ashworth proposed that £250,000 should be raised for the purpose of the agitation. The corn laws were repealed, and the final meeting of the League was held in the Manchester Town Hall on 2 July 1846. Ashworth defended Cobden at the meeting held in Manchester after the incident in the House of Commons, when Peel charged the leader of the League with connivance at assassination
. He also assisted Cobden in the negotiation of the Cobden–Chevalier Treaty.
. After about two weeks' illness, he died at Florence, 17 May 1880.
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
manufacturer, friend of Richard Cobden
Richard Cobden
Richard Cobden was a British manufacturer and Radical and Liberal statesman, associated with John Bright in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League as well as with the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty...
, and vigorous supporter of the Anti-Corn Law League
Anti-Corn Law League
The Anti-Corn Law League was in effect the resumption of the Anti-Corn Law Association, which had been created in London in 1836 but did not obtain widespread popularity. The Anti-Corn Law League was founded in Manchester in 1838...
.
Early life and business career
Ashworth was born at BirtwistleBirtwistle
-People:*Adam Birtwistle, a British artist*Alex Birtwistle, a British Army officer*Sir Harrison Paul Birtwistle, British composer*Sue Birtwistle, British television producer...
, near Bolton, Lancashire, on 4 September 1794, in a Quaker family. He was sent to Ackworth School
Ackworth School
Ackworth School is an independent school located in the village of High Ackworth, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. It is one of eight Quaker Schools in England. The school is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and SHMIS . The Head is Kathryn Bell, who succeeded...
run by the Society of Friends. He, in partnership with his brother Edmund, managed mills at Turton
Turton
-As a surname:See also Turton Baronets for Turton Baronetcies*John Turton , the doctor of King George III of Great Britain; treated that monarch during bouts of his madness*William Turton , British naturalist...
, expanding a business of their father, John Ashworth. Benevolent employers, they established schools, a library and a reading room. Ashworth was a staunch nonconformist, and refused to pay church rates. He supported the schemes of Edwin Chadwick
Edwin Chadwick
Sir Edwin Chadwick KCB was an English social reformer, noted for his work to reform the Poor Laws and improve sanitary conditions and public health...
to implement the Poor Law
Poor Law
The English Poor Laws were a system of poor relief which existed in England and Wales that developed out of late-medieval and Tudor-era laws before being codified in 1587–98...
of 1834; but was a tough opponent of trades unions. In a dispute with Edmund, the business was split, with Henry taking the mill at New Eagley.
Anti-Corn Law activity
He was a founder of the Anti-Corn Law League, and was one of its major supporters. He had met Richard Cobden in 1837, and became a firm friend.In 1840 he was one of a deputation that waited upon Lord Melbourne to urge the repeal of the corn laws. 'You know,' said the premier, 'that to be impracticable.' Sir Robert Peel was equally unhelpful. In answer to Ashworth's plea that the import of food should not be restricted in order to maintain rents. Sir James Graham called out, 'Why, you are a leveller!' and asked whether he was to infer that the labouring classes had some claim to the landlords' estates. Ashworth protested; in dismissing the deputation Sir James told them that if the corn laws were repealed great disasters would fall upon the country, the land would go out of cultivation, church and state could not be upheld, the national institutions would be reduced to their elements, and the houses of the leaguers would be pulled about their ears by the people they were trying to excite.
In 1843, in company with John Bright
John Bright
John Bright , Quaker, was a British Radical and Liberal statesman, associated with Richard Cobden in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League. He was one of the greatest orators of his generation, and a strong critic of British foreign policy...
and Cobden, he visited County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, and East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
, to survey agriculture—they were sometimes mentioned as the ABC of the League. At the large meeting held in Manchester 23 December 1845, Ashworth proposed that £250,000 should be raised for the purpose of the agitation. The corn laws were repealed, and the final meeting of the League was held in the Manchester Town Hall on 2 July 1846. Ashworth defended Cobden at the meeting held in Manchester after the incident in the House of Commons, when Peel charged the leader of the League with connivance at assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
. He also assisted Cobden in the negotiation of the Cobden–Chevalier Treaty.
Later life
During a long life he was an advocate of peace, retrenchment, and reform; and enjoyed shooting. He made several continental tours, and in February 1880 left his house, The Oaks, Turton, to winter in Italy, as he had usually done for some years. Whilst travelling from Rome he caught a chill, and at Florence was laid up with Roman feverRoman Fever (disease)
Roman fever refers to a particularly deadly strain of malaria that affected Rome, Italy, throughout various epochs in history; an epidemic of Roman fever during the fifth century AD may have contributed to the fall of the Roman empire...
. After about two weeks' illness, he died at Florence, 17 May 1880.
Works
His major work is Recollections of Richard Cobden and the Anti-Corn Law League (two editions, London 1876 and 1881), written with John Watts. He also wrote:- 'Statistical Illustrations of Lancaster,' 1842.
- 'A Tour in the United States and Canada,' 1861.
- An account of the 'Preston Strike' of 1863; and some pamphlets.