Henry Gorton was a stonemason, builder, architect, surveyor and property developer. Born in Whittle-le-woods, Lancashire, on 16 May 1826, he was apprenticed to a Leyland stonemason. He married Alice Coupe in Preston in 1848 and they raised a family of seven sons and three daughters. Around 1850 Gorton moved for work to the rapidly developing seaside town of Morecambe and he soon joined the local Wesleyan Society. Almost immediately Henry was asked to hold office and was appointed the Society treasurer. He oversaw the erection of the modest wooden chapel, underwriting the finances of the project. In 1852 a Sunday school was started in the home of Henry and Alice, and Henry served as its Superintendent until his death.

Henry Gorton was not only an important person in the development of Morecombe Methodism but also in civic life. He built residential and commercial property, as well as the market and shops. He was an elected Parish overseer for Poulton, and an active committee member of the Morecambe Ratepayers Protection Association. He was elected to the Morecombe Board of Health after an acrimonious election campaign in April 1870, but died a month later, on 31 May 1870. He was buried in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, Poulton le Sands. The inscription on the tombstone is 'Thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ.' (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Entry written by: DHR
Category: Person
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