| MERCHANTS |
| In 1797, the country was in such straightened circumstances, owing to
long years of war with the colonies in America, and afterwards with France, that the Bank
of England suspended payment. To help the government at this critical time, many merchants
made donations publicly. Among these donors the firm of Peel & Yates contributed a sum of
£10,000 an exceedingly handsome gift at that time. A year later, as Napoleon was known to
be planning to invade England, the firm raised a volunteer corps at its own expense. This
body bore the name of the Bury Loyal Association of Volunteers. Their uniform consisted of
a scarlet coat with long lapels, faced with white, white waistcoats, shoes with bright
buckles, hats of the regulation shape with a cockade and feather on one side ; and for
sergeants and officers, white kerseymere breeches and gaiters or leggings, and a crimson
sash, or leather shoulder belts. The letters B.L.A. were stamped on their buttons. Regimental
colours were publicly presented to this corps in Union Square, on October 18th, 1798, by Lady
Clerke, the wife of the Rector. Another corps was raised and led by Captain Starkie, of Redvales.
This was a mounted troop : a most soldierly and well equipped body of men, and it is said that
Captain Starkie's company of five hundred picked men defied competition throughout the length
and breadth of Great Britain.
|
| It was for such acts of loyalty, patriotism, and public service that
Mr. Robert Peel was created a Baronet, in November, 1800 This gentleman was the father of
the great Sir Robert. About this time the Rt. Hon. Charles James Pox, a powerful Cabinet
Minister, visited Bury, accompanied by the Earl of Derby and other nobles. The occasion
was made a time of public rejoicing. A platform was erected near the Market Cross, on which
the noble visitors appeared, and bowed many times to the multitude. An ox was roasted whole
near by, and after the guests had departed the beef was cut up and consumed, accompanied by
an abundance of soft oat cakes, and great quantities of ale. Perhaps a word here about the
first shop in Bury of which there is authentic record, will be welcome. It was opened about
1760 in the Wylde, by a woollen weaver named John Partington. He is said to have been a
pattern of economy, frugality, perseverance, and industry. He opened his front room with
a stock of groceries, and some threads, needles and buttons. Common sugar was then 11d
per lb., and loaf-sugar double that price. So attentive to business was he that customers
could rely on receiving any article which they had previously ordered. Partington was a
bachelor, and to assist him in the shop, made an apprentice of a wandering lad, Richard
McMellon, who had found his way to the town. Partington gave him rest, food and shelter,
and found him work, and when he died, left him the business. By diligence and courtesy,
McMellon became the leading tradesman in the town. His death took place in 1830, and as
in his own case, he left his property and business to his assistant, William Searles.
|
| William Grant and his sons had a shop about 1800 and by dint of hard
work, perseverance, and attention, saved money enough to embark in cotton spinning and
weaving, and built up a fortune.
|
| In 1811, the township, which now included the township of Heap, and
the parishes of Heywood, Tottington, Ramsbottom, and Walmersley, numbered 27,917 people,
and ten years later this amounted to 34,335 persons. There was little surprise then to
find that, when the Reform Act of 1832 became law, Bury attained to the dignity of a
parliamentary borough, sending one member to the British parliament. The first election
took place in Union Square, on December 12th, 1832. There were 529 free voters on the
list, and the choosing and electing created an opportunity for excitement and rowdyism.
The two candidates, Mr. Richard Walker, of Woodhill, and Mr. Edmund Grundy of Parkhills,
were both Liberals. Mr. Walker was elected, and continued to serve as the member for
Bury until 1852, winning fights in 1837 and 1841, and being returned unopposed in 1835 and 1847.
|
| Mr. Grundy lived at the fine stone mansion at Parkhills, which he
built in 1825 ; and which is still to be seen near Grundy Lane, which evidently was
named from him. We are told that Mr. Grundy was a well-known figure in the town, being
usually dressed in a blue dress coat, with bright brass buttons, a yellow waistcoat,
drab trousers, and top boots. He died in 1857, aged 75, and was interred in Bank Street
Chapelyard.
|
| Previous: Church Land | Next: Changes in Local Government
|