However, displaying considerable musical talent, he was placed under the supervision of Dr. James Nares, the organist of York Minster.

On 16 January, 1779 Edmund Ayrton was initiated as a Freemason along with five other musicians in Somerset House Lodge No.

Summary of Appointments:[2] Whilst at Southwell Minster, Ayrton married Ann, daughter of Benjamin Clay, on 20 September 1762.

Without entering the echelons of the British Establishment, winning knighthoods or peerages, they maintained a durable professional standing over several centuries, achieving prominence in various fields, particularly those with a creative dimension, such as music and art.

The father, grandfather and great-grandfather of the Mayor were all clerics in the district, as vicars of Nidd or South Stainley:[4] The Rev.

1664) is presumably the same as the one designated a vicar choral at Ripon Minster, though that appointment was - perhaps confusingly - normally for laymen;[5] he was an MA graduate.

[1] William Ayrton (1726-1799) was Edward's eldest child and a brother of Edmund; he was baptised on 18 November 1726.

William Francis Morrell Ayrton (1778-1850) was the elder son and succeeded as organist on 25 June 1799, but moved to Chester soon after.

He had previously served in the Chapel Royal, in London, where his uncle Dr. Edmund Ayrton was the Master.

This William had an estate at Abbot's Grange, on the outskirts of the city and founded a branch of the family that also maintained its prominence.