12 Facts About Elkanah Armitage

Sir Elkanah Armitage DL was a British industrialist and Liberal politician.

Elkanah Armitage was born the third of six sons of Elkanah Armitage, a farmer and linen weaver from Failsworth, Lancashire.

Elkanah Armitage died in 1836 having borne him eight children; Elkanah, Benjamin, Samuel, Joseph, John, Rebecca, Jane Ann and Mary Bowers.

Elkanah Armitage lived at Gore Hill, Pendleton Green until 1853 when he purchased Hope Hall, Pendleton, Salford.

Elkanah Armitage became active in politics from a young age and his name appeared on the Manchester petition for the abolition of the slave trade in 1806.

In 1838, Manchester was incorporated as a municipal borough, and Elkanah Armitage was elected to the first town council as a Liberal councillor representing Exchange Ward.

Elkanah Armitage became an alderman in 1841, and was Mayor of Manchester from 1846 to 1848.

In 1857, Elkanah Armitage stood for Parliament, unsuccessfully opposing William Nathaniel Massey for the seat of Salford and in 1866 he was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire, having represented the same county as Deputy Lieutenant before.

Elkanah Armitage was a lifelong friend and supporter of John Bright and the Anti-Corn Law League.

Elkanah Armitage shared Bright's Pacifist stance and spoke out against the war in the Crimea, in opposition to Prime Minister Palmerston.

Elkanah Armitage died on 26 November 1876 at Hope Hall, Pendleton at the age of 82, his funeral procession was half a mile long and was made up of a hundred carriages.

Elkanah Armitage's mortal remains were laid to rest at Weaste Cemetery.