Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1870 & 79

James Slater (1808 - 1874)


James Slater was a chain manufacturer with premises in Ordsall Lane, Salford and became a Local Guardian and Salford Councillor.



He was born in 1808 in Bolton and possibly baptised at St Peter and St Paul RC Church Bolton on 18th April 1808. If this is correct his parents were named John and Mary (nee Draper). His early life is difficult to trace and even his marriage to Alice Mary (born 1812), does not appear to be recorded. In 1851 James and Alice are shown in the census at Ellor Street, Salford, James as a Machinist and Alice is a Milliner and Dressmaker. In 1871 they lived at Peel Street, Salford where James was aged 62 and Alice is 59.


It is also not known when James Slater's business started, but in 1862 he patented improvements to carding machines. These machines used to use one of the earliest forms of industrial chain known as plate, or card chains. In 1863 he was listed as Mill Furnisher and Chain Manufacturer (Slater's Guide). In 1864 another patent introduced toothed rollers and chains to improve the transmission of energy. In 1866 he patented a chain system to be used for railway signals. By the time of his death in 1874 his company was listed as Slater, James, Mill furnisher and maker of all type of chains for cotton, flax, woollen and print works, etc, Ordsall Lane Patent Chain Works, Woden Street, Salford.


James Slater died on 16th August 1874. The Manchester Weekly Times of 22nd August 1874 reported, "Death of Councillor James Slater. Mr Councillor James Slater, who was 66 years old, died at midnight on Sunday, in his own house, 2 Bank Place, St Philip's, Salford. The cause of his death was paralysis, from the first stroke of which he had suffered for eight months. Mr Slater, who carried on business as a chain maker in Ordsal Lane, had served in the Salford Town Council for nearly three years. He was elected in November 1871, to the representation of the old Blackfriars ward; and two years later, when that ward was divided, he became, without re-election, Councillor for the part which is now called Islington ward. Last November Mr George Rudd (Conservative) contested his seat, but Mr Slater was again returned. He was also a member of the Salford Board of Guardians until the last election. Mr J.F.Mart will probably offer himself for the vacancy of Islington Ward."


The Manchester Evening News of 21st August 1874 reported, "Mr Councillor James Slater, who died last Sunday night, aged 66 years, was buried yesterday at Eccles New Road Cemetery. The Requiem Mass was sung before the Bishop of Salford, by the Rev. Dr. Desplenter, the Revs H. Hill and James Turven, assisting as deacon and sub deacon. After Mass, the absolutions were performed by the Bishop."


Two years later James's widow Alice Mary, died on 28th April 1876 at Cheadle, near Stockport, Cheshire aged 65 and was buried with her husband in A9/RC/20 at Weaste Cemetery on 1st May 1876.