JOHN RYLANDS

• 1840 - Became the member of Manchester Chamber of Commerce. 

• 1840 November - John Rylands became an owner of shares in Portico Library in Manchester.

• 1842 October the 1st - Based on mutual decision, Rylands & Sons put a stop to a joint business. This was the beginning of an independent business career for John Rylands.

• 1843 - After 18 years of marriage John Rylands first wife died at the age of 40. She was buried in Rusholme Road Cemetery.

• 1844 - Gorton Mills started operating.

• 1845 - John Rylands did not participate in the schism between Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Manchester Commercial Association, hence he rejected the position of county magistrate.

• May - John contributed £100 towards the construction of Cavendish Street Congregational Church. Furthermore, between 1846 - 1850 he contributed the total amount of £220.

• 1846 - He rented out a house at Hoylake and bought a yacht of considerable size where he spent his spare time with his high - importance employees together with English Congregationalist minister - Robert Halley.

• 1847 -At first, Rylands did not allow his employees work short - time but he was greatly supported by the weavers for a precise rejection of the 'Ten Hours Act' later in the year. 

• Senior director of Rylands & Sons - William Carnelley set up fustian department in his warehouses, working - class people, mainly used Fustian so demand for such material was obviously high.

• On 6th of January, John Rylands introduced his workers to Gorton Provision Stores that he opened at Gorton Mill. There the employees could buy manufacturer goods at a trade - sale price. 

• On 6th July, the death of Joseph Rylands at the age of 80, leaving John parentless. Alderman of Wigan was buried at Gidlow House.

• 1848 - John remarried to Martha Carden on January the 4th, the daughter of Isaac Greenough of Parr.

• 22nd January - John Rylands become a spokesman at a Fairfield & Droylsden Naturalists' Society and Mechanics' Institute.

• 1849 - The establishment of a factory in Cheapside, under Carneley in London.

• On August 14th John Rylands received public appreciation at the Church in Droylsden for going against the 'Ten Hour Act'.

     31st of October was the beginning of the 2 month strike organised by power loom weavers. The workers were in opposition        to 12% wage decrease. (The strike ended on 2nd January 1850).