Chap. 6. 



OLD HALLS, &c. 139 



Jonathan Openshaw. 

 On Thursday, March 2iid, 1882, the grave closed over the remains 

 of one who, most truly, was one of "nature's noblemen." Jonathan 

 Openshaw, Esq., of Hothersall Hall, Eibchester, and Waterloo, Bury, 

 was looked upon as a fi-iend, not only by his associates, but also by 

 the poor, to whom he gave so largely and so generously. Descended 

 from an old Bury family, Mr. Opeushaw was born at Bury on the 7th 

 May, 1805. He carried on business at his native place as a woollen 

 manufacturer. He was a toiling and clever business man, and soon 

 became wealthy. Eetiring fi-om business, he pm-chased the HothersaU 

 HaU estate in 1853, and gradually becanie one of the largest landed 

 proprietors in the district. He pulled down the old haU— the historic 

 residence of the Hothersalls— which was in a dilapidated state, and 

 also greatly improved his land, and was known as a just but generous 

 landlord. In politics Mr. Openshaw was an exceedingly keen Conser- 

 vative of the " good old school," and largely contributed to the success 

 of Messrs. Holt and Starkie in 18G8 and 1874. As a Churchman Mr. 

 Openshaw figures in the ecclesiastical chapters of Longridge and Eib- 

 chester. But he will be most remembered as a generous benefactor 

 of the poor. His charity -nas without limit. No deserving case escaped 



his fostering care. 



The scene at the funeral was striking. In spite of the pitdess 

 weather, people from all the country-side were assembled to pay the 

 last token of respect to Mr. Openshaw, and showed by their manifesta- 

 tions of grief that they mourned for one whose loss they keenly felt. 



We think it little to the credit of the people amongst whom he Hved, 

 and for whom he did so much, that five years should elapse between 

 the erection of a memorial to him and his death. In 1887 a plain- 

 very plain— and rather unsightly di-inking fountain was erected at the 

 junction of the Longridge, Eibchester, and Preston roads, on which is 

 cut in plain letters the following inscription :— 



In Memory of 



JONATHAN OPENSHAW, Esq., 



Of HothersaU Hall, 



Who died Feb. 25th, 1882 ; 



Erected by his Tenantry and a few friends. 



In recognition of his kindness to the poor. 



1S87. 



There is also a tablet to his memory in Eibchester Ohurch. 



