Oldham Historical Research Group

Scan and page transcript from:
Historical Sketches of Oldham by Edwin Butterworth
Pub. 1856

Historical Sketches of Oldham by Edwin Butterworth

Shaw, when he was only eleven years of age, and forty years afterwards he played his last notes at the same place. He was much esteemed in Lancashire, Cheshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire, and for a period of twenty years he led more oratorios and concerts than any other man in these counties. He took a prominent part in thc establishment of the Oldham Borough Choral Society in 1842. His death occurred in 1843, and his remains were interred at St. Paul's Chapel, Royton.

Mrs. Winterbottom (formerly Miss Howarth), the well known vocalist, was born at Ogden, in Milnrow, but she came with her parents to reside in this town about 1833. In 1834 Miss Howarth was engaged to sing in the choir of the Parish Church, and in a few months afterwards she married Mr. Samuel Winterbottom, a member of the same choir, and eldest son of Mr. James Winterbottom, the choirmaster. She continued to sing here until 1840, when Mr. Graham, organist to the chapel attached to the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Asylum in Manchester came to Oldham, and hearing her sing was so much pleased with her voice, that he offered her and her husband a large salary to sing at that chapel, an offer which they accepted, and removed to Manchester. Soon afterwards she began to appear at the public concerts, when her deep rich contralto voice, and her tasteful style of singing soon obtained for her a deserved popularity. She is now an established favourite, and in 1846 a public concert was given for her benefit in the Free Trade Hall, in Manchester, at which the handsome sum of £150 was realised. Mrs. Winterbottom is well known as an oratorio singer throughout England and Scotland.

Mr. Joseph W'interbottom, organist and choirmaster of St. James's Church, East Crompton, is the second son of the late Mr. Joseph Winterbottom, previously noticed. He was the founder of the Oldham Borough Choral Society in 1842, and is new its conductor, and

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