Chap. 4.] 



LOCAL CKLEBPvITIES. 109 



Miss Horrocks. His warehouse in Pall Mall, Manchester, is now 

 owned by one of the most successful and world-renowned yarn 

 agencies (James Dilworth and Sons,) in Cottonopolis. 



The Misses Dilworth, we may add, have not forgotten Longridge, as 

 they give an annual subscription to the Independent Chapel at Knowle 

 Green. Mr. Dilworth-Harrison, the grandson of the late James 

 Dilworth, is the owner at present of Gleadale. 



EOBERT ASCROFT. 



Mr. Eobert Ascroft was for many years resident at Longridge. He 

 was well known and highly respected in the district, owing to the 

 interest he took in the welfare of the town. From 1852 until 1875 ho 

 held the post of Town Clerk of Preston, discharging his duties in a 

 most able and efficient manner. He took a great interest in educa- 

 tional matters, in which good work he has been foUowed by his son, 

 Mr. William Ascroft, of Preston. In politics, Mr. Ascroft was a strong 

 and active Liberal ; while he was a Churchman in religion. He died 

 at Gleadale, Longridge, on November 14th, 1876, aged 71, and his 

 remains are buried in the churchyard at Penwortham. 



H. B. Jones. 



Mr. H. B. Jones was Secretary of the Longridge Railway for some 

 years. He was an easy-going man, as the following instance shows : 



The engine driver had instructions always to whistle hard when 



coming through the Stone Bridge Tunnel at Longridge, in order to 

 waken this somnolent official ; and often enough the train had to come 

 to a standstiU, owing to the Secretary being in bed. He took great 

 interest in the religious welfare of the parish, so much so that when 

 the late Mr. R. Ascroft inquired the rent of Gleadale, Mr. Jones's 

 residence, he was told that the present tenant had the rent reduced 

 because he looked after the welfare of the souls of the people. The 

 landlord wanted to know if Mr. Ascroft would do the same ; to which 

 inquiry the latter replied, " He had two daughters who might do so." 

 Dr. Eccles, Senior. 

 Dr. Eccles, the father of the present doctor, was a well-known 

 man in Longridge society 40 and 50 years ago. Later in Ufe he 

 married, for his second wife, Mrs. Mc.Coskery, the noted landlady of the 

 Wheat Sheaf Inn. 



