Businessmen and benefactors: The Macclesfield silk manufacturers and their support for the town's charitable institutions, 1750-1900

Abstract

This article discusses how Macclesfield silk manufacturers contributed towards the development of voluntary organisations as part of their public role, using Sunderland Street Wesleyan chapel and the ragged and industrial school as examples. It explores the general reasons behind their charitable involvement and the extent to which their contribution was critical to the success of Sunderland Street Wesleyan chapel and the ragged and industrial school.