James Lloyd Ashbury
James Lloyd Ashbury (1834-1895) of Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Co
1834 Born the son of John Ashbury (1806-1866)
Trained as an engineer and joined the family company.
1857 of the Railway Carriage and Wheel Manufactory, Openshaw.[1]
1866 When his father died he inherited the business and a considerable fortune.
His health was affected by the polluted atmosphere of Manchester, and Ashbury moved to the coast, where he took up sailing. As he attempted to advance in society he took up competitive yachting
Ashbury was appointed commodore of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club in 1870, having been elected a member in 1867
1874 Elected an MP for Brighton
Following the loss of his parliamentary seat, Ashbury pursued his business interests, which rapidly failed. He purchased a large sheep station on the South Island of New Zealand, but due to mismanagement it became a major financial liability. He was unable to pay creditors and spent many years in the courts, eventually facing bankruptcy.
1882 Cited in the divorce case of Beatrice Rumsey [2]
1895 Died. 'SAD DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN YACHTSMAN. On Friday last an inquest was held at the Westminster Union. Po'and Street, on the body of an elderly gentleman, whose name was given as Mr James Ashbury, who had since January resided at 7 Old Burlington Street, and whose death, it was shown, had resulted from accidentally taking an overdose of chlorodyne as a narcotic. It has since transpired that the deceased, whose full name was Mr James Lloyd Ashbury, was formerly M P for Brighton, and one of the best known sportsmen of his time. On two evasions he competed for the America Cup - in 1870 with Cambria, and in 1871 with Livonia - and was the only English yachtsman who could claim the distinction of having proved the victor in any one of these international contests. The deceased gentleman, who died in such obscurity, was M.P. for Brighton from 1874 until 1881. and by the older generation of Brightonians is recalled as a most genial and hospitable entertainer and a generous-hearted townsman.' [3]
1895 Claim on his estate. 'CLAIMANTS TO A LARGE FORTUNE. Mr Joseph Lloyd, landlord of the Swan Inn, Lancaster, is believed to be the heir-at law of the late Mr James Lloyd Ashbury, proprietor of Ashbury's Carnage Works, Manchester, who died somewhat suddenly. Mr Ashbury himself succeeded to a fortune of £460,000 on the death of his father, and at his mother's death his wealth was increased. From 1874 to 1880 he was member of Parliament for Brighton, and it will be remembered that in 1870 he competed for the America Cup with his yacht Cambria. It is stated that his death he left no nearer relative than Mr Lloyd and a sister of Lloyd's now married and living at Horwich. The relationship is a distant cousinship, Lloyd's grandfather and Mr Ashbury's mother being brother and sister. The Lloyds are confident of their claim, and negotiations on their behalf are being opened' [4]
He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1857 Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- ↑ Manchester Times - Saturday 18 February 1882
- ↑ Evening Telegraph - Friday 13 September 1895
- ↑ Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough - Saturday 19 October 1895
- [1] Wikipedia