ASHLEIGH (Astley House), Woolton Park, built c.1858 demolished.
Architect unidentified

Another house we have no photograph of and cannot see. It was a middling to large house in our group.

Owners and Occupiers:

In 1857 Richard Bright (c.1818-1867) silk mercer, was at Dingle Hill, 341 Park Road, and at 70-74 Bold Street. In 1858 he was owner occupier of this house, R.V. £175. From the 1861 census we see that he was 43 and born in Liverpool. His wife Caroline was 39 and they had six children ranging from 17-6 years, all born in Liverpool, with a governess Eliza Jones 43 born in Anglesea, a nurse, cook and housemaid (none local).

Bright, by this time of 70-76 Bold Street died in London 29.10.1867 - estate under £30,000. The 1871 census shows his widow still living at Ashleigh R.V. £180 with her mother Elizabeth Ward 79, born in Denbigh, both annuitants, and her unmarried children Richard 27 merchant, Mary 26, Joseph 24 brokers clerk, Caroline 22, Margaret 20 and Emma 18. This family remained here until 1873 after which Mrs Bright moved to Oakfield Terrace, Cuckoo Lane with 3 daughters.

Ashleigh was empty for 12 months and then bought by Mrs Harriet Farnworth, widow of Alderman John Farnworth, J.P. (1809-1869).They had been living at Reynolds Park, as tenants, since c.1859. Mr Farnworth of Farnworth & Jardine, timber merchants (see last year's walk for Jardine) was born at Worsley; was on the Town Council from 1855 and Mayor in 1865. He was a Wesleyan Methodist "to which body he had contributed munificently towards the erection of schools and chapels". One of the leading founders of St James Methodist Church and Manse in Woolton, he died 5.12.1869 leaving estate £180,000.

Mrs Farnworth renamed Ashleigh "Astley House" (having been born in Astley, Lancs) and in 1876 added an acre to the garden, R.V. now £235. The 1881 census discloses that she was 68 and living with her grandson Alexander B. Anderson age 15, an apprentice born in Liverpool. In 1883 the R.V. dropped to £199 15s 0d. She lived here until her death in 1889 leaving £3,623 - her will being proved by Joseph Glover, gent, and the Rev. John Farnworth of Astley House, her grandson.

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