Thomas Henshaw (benefactor) facts for kids
Thomas Henshaw (born 1731, died 1810) was an English hatter from Oldham, Lancashire. He was a very successful businessman who used his wealth to help others. He left money in his will to start two important charities: The Blue Coat School in Oldham and Henshaws Society for Blind People.
Early Life and Work
Thomas Henshaw was born in 1731 in Prestbury, Cheshire. He was one of seven children. His parents, John and Martha Henshaw, owned a small farm. Thomas's father died when he was only two years old.
When he was young, Thomas worked on a farm in Derbyshire with his brother Henry. Later, around 1755, he moved to Oldham and became an apprentice to John Fletcher, a hat maker. After learning the trade, Thomas moved to Manchester and became a part-owner of a dye works, which made dyes for fabrics.
Around 1770, Thomas Henshaw returned to Oldham. He joined his old master, John Fletcher, in business. A few years later, his brother Henry joined them. Eventually, Thomas and Henry Henshaw started their own hat-making business. They built a factory on what is now Henshaw Street in Oldham.
Successful Business and Helping Others
The Henshaw brothers were known for working very hard and being careful with their money. Because they paid so much attention to their business, their hat factory became the biggest in the area, employing about 300 people. They even imported beaver fur, which was used a lot in making hats back then.
The brothers started with £2,000 and eventually earned a huge fortune of £154,000. This was a massive amount of money at the time!
Thomas and Henry Henshaw cared about their workers. They set up schools for the workers' children and encouraged them to attend church. They also gave a lot of money to local charities, including the Manchester Infirmary (a hospital) and the Lunatic Hospital (a mental health hospital). They also helped build new roads.
The Henshaw brothers were also the first people to start Sunday Schools in Lancashire. They hired teachers to teach reading and writing on Sundays. For many children, this was the only formal education they ever received.
In 1754, Thomas Henshaw married Hannah Taylor. Their only child, Henry, was born the next year but sadly died when he was ten. Hannah Henshaw passed away in 1775.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1799, when he was 68, Thomas Henshaw married Sarah Mayers. He lived with her until his death in 1810.
In 1800, Thomas had a serious illness that affected his health. Despite this, he continued to ride his horse and deal with his business. However, his main focus became writing his will.
In 1807, Thomas wrote his will. He decided to leave £20,000 to start a charity school in Oldham. He also left another £20,000 to create a home for blind people in Manchester. In 1808, he named people to manage these new school and asylum projects.
On March 4, 1810, Thomas Henshaw was found drowned in a reservoir near his factory. He was 79 years old. An investigation found that he had been suffering from mental health issues. The jury concluded that he had drowned himself due to his illness. Thomas Henshaw was buried on March 10 in Prestwich Church.
His widow, Sarah, argued that Thomas was not in a sound state of mind when he wrote his will. The case went to court and it took 23 years for a decision to be made. Finally, the court ruled that his will was valid. This meant the money could be used for the charities he wanted to create. The Blue Coat School was opened in 1834, and Henshaws Society for Blind People was founded in 1837.
