Ben Rushton was born in Dewsbury, the eldest son of Fanny (née Radcliffe) & Richard Rishton.
His parents' name was registered in Huddersfield as Rishton.
He moved to Ovenden, and became
He was a handloom weaver at home a woollen cloth weaver [1841] a weaver at Dean Clough. a tea-dealer.
On 16th August 1809, he married Mary Helliwell [1786-18??].
Children:
The family lived at Friendly Fold, Ovenden.
He was a member of the Salem Methodist Church, North Parade.
In February 1815, he registered as a New Connexion Methodist member.
He became a New Connexion Methodist preacher, reformer, and a leading Chartist.
He was known locally as The Grand Old Man.
He marched thousands of miles around the country to officiate and preach at demonstrations.
He addressed the crowds at
They preached Christ and a crust, passive obedience and non-resistance. Let the people keep from those churches and chapels. Let them go to those men who preached Christ and a full belly, Christ and a well-clothed back, Christ and a good house to live in, Christ and universal suffrage
For this, he was expelled from his chapel
He was greatly loved by the people he represented.
In 1835, speaking of the weavers of Halifax, he declared their condition to be
so ruinous that if matters are suffered to go on as they have done, and are doing.. that useful body will very soon be annihilated, or they must degenerate into paupers, poachers or thieves
He died – of jaundice – in poverty at Friendly Fold, Ovenden on 17th June 1853.
The local Chartist movement decided that he should have a public funeral at its expense. His funeral on 26th June was attended by up to 15,000 people and 5 extra trains were required to bring them to Halifax. 140 Oddfellows led the procession which was so large that it took an hour and a half to pass through the town on its way to the interment at Lister Lane Cemetery. Karl Marx wrote about the occasion to the New York Daily Tribune.
He and his son, Zimri were buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 3577], next to the grave of fellow Chartist Christopher Shackleton.
James Longbottom[1834-1896] is also mentioned on the Rushton gravestone
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