William Atherton (mayor of Preston)

[2] A silk mercer by trade, he became a successful Lancashire guild merchant,[3] woollen draper, and was an influential figure in Preston's business community, which was focused on textile manufacturing and commerce.

This trade agreement signed on 2 February 1726 involved parties located in Wigan, London, Liverpool and Charleston, South Carolina.

His father, John Atherton of Preston, was a successful and wealthy woollen draper[9] Both his paternal and maternal ancestors originated from Chipping, Lancashire.

[15] Gaining position in society, as well as the trust of the other influential local merchantmen, he was elected to serve as Mayor of Preston from 1732 to 1733, and 1738 to 1739,[16] which involved hosting charitable events as well as considerable entertaining of visiting dignitaries.

Guild spectacles were well attended, however the larger ceremonies took place on a 20-year cycle, which involved leading more ostentatious pageants and marches, over a 30-day period.

[17] Outside of ceremonial events as mayor in 1738, he is recorded to have administered the "Henry and Eleanor Rishton Charity" with the sole aim of the education and betterment of the poor people of Preston.

[29] Preston historians such as Aidan Turner-Bishop have questioned the display of affluence of a provincial merchant, who became involved in the Triangular trade at a young age, citing it as the likely source of his wealth.

His sibling, the Reverend Richard Atherton sat for the artist, Edward Haytley, with historians citing reference to his brother, who at the time of the sitting was Mayor of Preston.

As a consequence of his unexpected death, a dispute arose between the guardians of his young children in relation to his state of mind at the time the Will was witnessed.

Witnesses were cross-examined when they gave evidence that his mental capacity diminished only after the document was signed and was determined by the court to be legally binding.

[46] A meeting of the cooperation was called on 8 August to elect Richard Shepherd as alderman to replace him, however since only 10 were present it was declared invalid until April 1746.

His second son, Richard (1737-1804)[52] followed his mayoral footsteps in the 1780s by being elected on two occasions, and was also a partner at Atherton, Greaves and Co, who established Preston Old Bank in 1776.