Ralph Ashton 1652-1716
Sir Ralph ASSHETON or ASHTON, 2nd baronet 1652-1716
Biographical Note
Born 11 Feb. 1652, the 1st son of Ralph Ashton of Middleton by Anne, da. of Sir Ralph Assheton, of Great Lever. Educated privately, then Brasenose, Oxford 1668; travelled abroad 1673. he married (1) Mary Vavasour (d. 11 Nov. 1694), daughter and heir of Thomas Vavasour of Spaldington, Yorkshire; (2) 30 July 1696, Mary Hyde, daughter and heiress of Robert Hyde of Denton, Lancashire.
He was elected as Member of Parliament for Liverpool at a contested by-election in 1677. He was not re-elected in 1679, and he was out of Parliament for 15 years. He was removed from the commission of the peace in 1687, which suggests strong Anglican sympathies. He died on 3 May 1716 and was buried at Middleton.
Books
Used an engraved bookplate: Franks 171: Ashton, Sr. Ralph, of Middleton in the county Palatine of Lancaster, Baronet. (Arms. Ashton quartering Vavasour, with Hyde on an escutcheon).
Sources
- Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.
- History of Parliament.