Samuel Oldknow

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Samuel Oldknow (1756 - 1828) was an English cotton manufacturer.

He was born in Anderton, Chorley, Lancashire and served an apprenticeship in his uncle’s draper’s shop at Nottingham. He then moved to Stockport where he established a mill for the manufacture of muslin.

In 1793 he opened another mill at Mellor and this was at the same time that he was actively promoting construction of the Peak Forest Canal and the Peak Forest Tramway.

He was a highly motivated and ambitious man who wanted to expand his business interests but, as he was lacking in financial skills, he was unable to raise capital in London where he sold his products. As a result of this, he turned to his friend, Richard Arkwright Junior, for substantial loans and these were granted to him.

He served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1824.^[1]

Preceded by Thomas Bateman

High Sheriff of Derbyshire 1824–1825

Succeeded by Sir Charles Abney Hastings

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