of Pit bank, and acquired considerable property by the cotton spinning business. He became the founder of the fortunes of several members of the flourishing and enterprising family of Lees, by numerous and liberal bequests to his relatives; for by his will he devised no less than thirty-six sums of £600 each, to as many nephews and nieces, the number not being limited to eight nephews and one niece as erroneously stated in page 59. Mr. Lees, who died September 18,1797, was uncle of Mr. John Lees, of Church lane, Mr. Daniel Lees, of Bankside, Mr. John Lees, of Green bank, Mr. James Lees, of Castle mill, Mr. Robert Lees, of Side of moor, and great uncle of Mr. John Lees, of Newearth, and Mr. John Lees, of Butler street. Mr. John Brierley, of Higher Sheepwashes mill, was the descendant of an ancient Oldham family, and died July 5, 1809. Mr. William Clegg, of Lees hall mill was a public spirited manufacturer, who not only erected a second cotton mill at Lees hall about 1790, but was the first mill owner who introduced the steam engine into the parish, as the moving power for cotton mills, about 1794. He is said to have erected the original mill at Lees hall, in defiance of Mr. Arkwright's patent. Mr. Clegg, who locally distinguished himself as a great promoter of new turnpike roads, was the son of Mr. Abraham Clegg, of Bent grange, (see page 46) and died May 31, 1812. Mr. Joel Halliwell, of Clough mill, Chadderton, was the father of Messrs. William Joel and John Halliwell, still residents of Oldham. Mr. Thomas Ashton, of Bank mill, Chadderton, was of the family of the Ashtons, of Alder root. Messrs. John and Edmund Taylor, of Top fold mill, Royton, were sons of Mr. Jacob Taylor, of Royton. Mr. Ralph Taylor, of Thorp clough mill, Royton, was of the ancient family of the Taylors, of Thorp, ancestors of Messrs. Taylors, extensive master spinners and manufacturers of Lees. Messrs. John Milne and John Travis, of Low Crompton mill, Crompton, were the ancestors of the parties composing the present extensive manu-

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