John Abbott

[1796-1870]



John Abbott JP was the son of Robert Abbott.

He attended Heath Grammar School [1817].

His father left him Spring Mill, Wainstalls – which he leased to J. & J. Calvert [1861] – and Hole Bottom Mill, Wainstalls.

He made his money as a woolstapler and retired long before his death.

He owned property in Cheapside which he bought from William  Emmett [1844] / property in Bradford & Horton / property in Australia & New Zealand.

He was involved in carpet production with his father, &  manufactured carpets at his home in Union Street, Halifax / one of the founders of the Halifax Joint Stock Banking Company  [1829] / one of the Trustees appointed under the Halifax Improvement Act  [1823] / one of the subscribers to John Horner's book Buildings in the Town  & Parish of Halifax [1835] / one of the 12 proprietors of Halifax Museum [1835] / one of the town's first magistrates / Halifax Borough Treasurer [1850].

He was engaged to Marian Lister in 1834.

He never married.

He lived at

He died in Halifax [13th May 1870] (aged 70).

He was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Halifax [20th May 1870].

Newspaper reports of the funeral said


From his home in Union Street to the Church, the streets were lined with thousands of spectators. The cortège included Superintendent Pearson and a body of police, about 300 children from Crossley Orphanage, the teachers of the Parish Church School, members of the Halifax Auxiliary of the Bible Society, directors of the Halifax Joint Stock Bank, directors of the Halifax Permanent Building Society, and members of the Mechanics' Institute

Probate records show that he left effects valued at under £140,000.

The will was proved by Henry Wright, John Whiteley Ward, Louis John Crossley, Thomas Richard Farrar, and Samuel Taylor Rigge.

He left his estate and money for a number of charitable purposes, including

He was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Halifax.

After his death, Spring Mill, Wainstalls was put up for auction, and J. & J. Calvert Limited bought the mill, several cottages and land.

John Ambler Wilson bought Hole Bottom Mill, Wainstalls


See: Cold Edge Dam Company / William Emmet / Halifax, Bradford & Keighley Insurance Company / John Spencer / West Yorkshire Railway Company

This & associated entries use material contributed by Ivan Birch & Anne Kirker



© Malcolm Bull 2024
Revised 11:48 / 24th November 2024 / 7006

Page Ref: MMA264

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