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T11 Mrs Constance Whittam
Connection to the Grant Family
Recorded 17/10/1990
Length 00:09:34
- Background: Connected to the Grant family, instrumental in Ramsbottom's history.
- Family History:
- Ancestors founded William Grant and Sons.
- Notable relatives include the Charitable Brothers, featured in Dickens' .
- Remembers family connections and historical homes in Ramsbottom.
- Reflects on her family's legacy and contributions to the community.
Context
- Speaker: Constance Whitham
- Age: 85 years old at the time of the recording
- Location: Bank House Nursing Home, Brundlesholme Road, Bury
- She lived on Brundlesholme Road for 47 years before moving into the nursing home.
- Although she had no personal connection to Ramsbottom, her ancestors played a significant role in its history.
Family Background – The Grant Family
- Constance is part of the Grant family, a well-known family in Ramsbottom.
- The Grants came from Speyside, Scotland, and were responsible for “putting Ramsbottom on the map.”
- William and Grace Grant migrated from Speyside with their children:
- James (16 years old)
- William (13)
- John (12)
- Three sisters: Isabella, Mary, and Sarah
- Daniel, the baby (6 months old at the time)
- Later, Charles was born after they settled near Ramsbottom.
- The Grants founded the successful firm William Grant and Sons, which operated in Ramsbottom for many years.
James Grant and His Descendants
- James Grant (eldest son):
- Returned to Scotland after his apprenticeship.
- Started his own mill, married, and had a large family.
- Died young by drowning in the Clyde; his wife died the same year.
- Their orphaned children were brought up by uncles at Springside, Walmsley.
- Sarah (eldest daughter of James Grant) married Mr. Taylor; their children took the surname Grant Taylor.
- Sarah and her husband also died young, leaving their children to be raised by relatives at Springside.
- Sarah Jane Grant Taylor (Constance’s great-grandmother) married Samuel Grundy of Bridge Hall.
Connection to Historical Figures
- The Grundy family (related through Sarah Jane Grant Taylor):
- Were immortalized by Charles Dickens in Nicholas Nickleby as the “Cheeryble Brothers”, though Dickens called them “Charitable Brothers” in the recording.
- Daniel and William Grant were benevolent figures in the community, known for helping the poor and needy.
- Dickens met them at age 27 and was impressed enough to base characters on them.
- Constance expressed pride in being related to these figures and named Nicholas Nickleby as her favourite Dickens novel.
The Grant Brothers
- William Grant: Never married, lived with his brother Daniel at Springside, Walmsley.
- Daniel Grant: Married briefly (his wife was Charles’s sister-in-law) but remained unmarried after her early death. He represented the firm in Manchester and mingled with influential businessmen.
- The brothers also had strong literary and cultural connections:
- Friends with Harrison Ainsworth (author of The Lancashire Witches).
- Friends with Mrs. Gaskell (author of Cranford).
Residences and Legacy
- John Grant lived at Nuttall Hall (now near Nuttall Park).
- Charles Grant lived at Barwood House, now divided into three residences.
- Constance recalled visiting Barwood House and feeling a deep historical connection.
- The first house of William and Grace Grant in Ramsbottom later became the Groundhounds; their initials are still visible on the wall.
Key Themes
- Family legacy: Constance proudly traces her lineage to influential industrial and philanthropic figures.
- Migration & industry: The Grants moved from Speyside to Lancashire and built a prosperous business that shaped Ramsbottom.
- Cultural influence: Their deeds inspired literary works by Charles Dickens and they moved in literary circles.
- Personal connection: Despite not being directly involved in Ramsbottom’s affairs, Constance views her ancestry as central to the town’s history.
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