07 February 1794 -
15 September 1879


Policeman trucheon
Copy of painting by the courtesy Stockport Local Heritage Library, if you require a copy please contact Stockport.
John Benjamin Smith



        
Born in Warwickshire, son of Benjamin Smith a Manchester merchant, John followed his father and became a merchant and was in 1839-1841 President of Manchester's Chamber of Commerce.  He was a keen advocate of Anti Corn Laws becoming the first Chairman of the Anti Corn Law League.  He was appointed Justice of the Peace of Lancashire and wrote several economic works.

Johns' main interest was politics, he stood for the parliamentary seat in 1837 as a liberal in Blackburn, but failed, failed again in Walsall in 1841.  In 1847 he was elected in Sterling Boroughs and was their member of parliament until 1852.  He stood for Stockport and won and was in post for 22 years.

He married Jemima Durning in Liverpool in 1841.  They had two daughters Jemima and Edith Jane.

John died in Easthamstead, Berkshire on the 15th September 1879.

In 1819 he accompanied his aunt to Mrs Orton's house, Mount St Peter's field, which was next to Mr Buxton's house, later they were joined by John's father Benjamin Smith.







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Last updated 10th June 2017