Thomas Longworth (1848-1904)

Thomas was the second son of Solomon Longworth (1817-1895) of Darwen, Lancashire. His father became a cotton magnate who worked on projects with Richard Thompson. Thomas went into the family business. He married Mary Duckworth from Blackburn on 20th April 1882 and took up residence in King Street, Whalley. By 1901 they had moved to Oak Hill, Whalley close to what was his father’s home of Clerk Hill.

As with the Thompsons newspaper articles around the turn of the 20th century make mention of the Longworths taking part and on occasion, financially supporting numerous local projects within the Whalley community. Here are tthree examples:-

• Bazaar at Whalley Blackburn Standard, 6 Aug. 1887
• Ambulance Concert & Dance (in Whalley) Burnley Express, 1 Feb. 1899
• Marriage of Mr. Thompson and Miss Green, of Whalley Burnley Express, 22 July 1899

As Abbey Lodge’s first-ever Junior Warden he attained the Master’s Chair two years later in 1896. His Founders’ Jewel is on display in the Lodge Room. In the full group photograph he also proudly displays a Royal Arch Jewel. Abbey Chapter No. 2529 wasn’t consecrated until 1914 so he must have been in a Chapter elsewhere perhaps at Padiham. Thomas was awarded the Provincial honour of Past Provincial Grand Warden.

To find out a little more about the Longworth’s backstory including family tree click here.