Ashton Trade Directory 1814

Ashton-under-Line

Ashton-under-Line is a small, but populous and much improving town; it is pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, in the south-east corner of the county of Lancaster, on the north side of the river Tame.

There was formerly a market held here every Wednesday. Though the custom has been discontinued for many years. It also appears, by a very ancient record, that Ashton formerly enjoyed the privileges of a borough; how the charter was lost in unknown.

Ashton Church is a large gothic structure; the living, a valuable rectory, is in the gift of the Earl of Stamford.

The trade of Ashton has, at least, kept pace with the other populous places around it; the cotton factories are numerous, the population fast increasing, and the town, at this day, may truly be considered of much commercial consequence in the district. The canal from Manchester to Ashton, Oldham, etc. has added much to the improvement and comfort of the surrounding neighbourhood. Ashton is seven miles from Manchester; in 1811 the number of its inhabitants was upwards of 10,000.

NB. note the spelling of Ashton-under-Lyne