Thomas Fletcher - The Mayors of Bolton Directory

First Chairman of Little Lever Local Board.

Father of Thomas Fletcher, Mayor of Bolton 1884-87 and Matthew Fletcher, Chairman of Little Lever Local Board 1893-95 and Chairman of Little Lever Urban District Council 1895-96.

Colliery owner and cotton spinner.

He worked with the boats on the Bolton Bury Canal from an early age. He later became the clerk and then book keeper at Boscow Pit, belonging to Matthew Fletcher of Crompton Fold. The business was eventually offered to his father, trading as Jacob Fletcher & Son. At first they struggled but by the 1830s it became more successful and in 1847 he also acquired Wellbank and Springside Mills.

He became head of Thomas Fletcher & Sons - owners of Bents Colliery, Bradley Fold, Stopes Colliery Little Lever, Radcliffe Colliery, Outwood Colliery as well as Wellbank and Springfield Mills.

Constable for Little Lever Township from 1837 and a member of the Nuisance Committee from 1856.

He was the first Poor Law Guardian holding the post during the Cotton Famine 1861-65 and for his work during that period he was honoured with a timepiece and candelabra by the ratepayers.

He retired as Chairman of Little Lever Local Board in 1879 but remained as a member.

On his death he left assets of £163,000.

Anglican - Churchwarden of St Matthew's Church, Little Lever.

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