James Gaskill | |
|---|---|
 Portrait fromFifty Years of Food Reform (1898) | |
| Born | 1800 Newton, nearHyde, Cheshire, England |
| Died | (1870-08-17)17 August 1870 Hulme, Manchester, England |
| Resting place | Weaste Cemetery, Salford |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Leadership in theBible Christian Church and activism fortemperance andvegetarianism |
| Relatives | Edwin Collier (nephew) |
James Gaskill (1800 – 17 August 1870) was an English cotton spinner,Bible Christian minister, and activist. He was an advocate fortemperance andvegetarianism.
James Gaskill was born in 1800 inNewton, nearHyde, Cheshire, to Peter Gaskill (1777–1857) and Elizabeth Fletcher (1772–1839). His father was a founding member of theBible Christian Church and initially worked as a farmer before moving toManchester in 1821 to become a cotton spinner. Gaskill had three sisters: Margaret (b. 1806), Hannah (b. 1809), and Sarah (1811–1832).[1]
At the age of 10, Gaskill and Alfred Hardy were appointed Assistant Masters at the Grammar School and Academy of Science, established by the Bible Christian Church in Salford under Rev.William Cowherd. The church, known for itsvegetarian principles, later influenced the foundation of theVegetarian Society.[1]
Gaskill worked as a cotton spinner inHorwich.[2] In 1823, at the age of 23, Gaskill became the minister of the Hulme Bible Christian Church, succeedingJames Scholefield, who had moved to another chapel inAncoats. Under his leadership, the congregation raised funds to build a schoolroom, later known as Hulme Christ Church Institute. Gaskill was also actively involved in local governance, serving on theChorlton-on-Medlock Board of Guardians and as a director of theManchester Mechanics' Institute.[1]
Gaskill was a passionate advocate for vegetarianism and attended the historic 1847 conference inRamsgate, where the foundation of the Vegetarian Society was proposed.[1] He served as a local secretary of the Society.[3] Gaskill was later president of the Bolton Vegetarian Association.[4]
Gaskill was also deeply involved in thetemperance movement, promotingtotal abstinence through organisations such as theUnited Kingdom Alliance and the Manchester and Salford Temperance Union.[1]
Gaskill never married.[1] He was a close friend ofJoseph Brotherton[5] and a contemporary ofHenry Hunt.[2]Edwin Collier was Gaskill's nephew.[6]
Gaskill died at the age of 70 at his home inHulme, on 17 August 1870. He was buried atWeaste Cemetery. Gaskill's memorial service was presided over by Rev.James Clark, who highlighted his lifelong dedication to education, philanthropy, and social reform.[1][5] Gaskill bequeathed donations in his will to thePeace Society, the United Kingdom Alliance, the Manchester and Salford Temperance Union, the Hulme Free Library, the Vegetarian Society, and the Bible Christian Church.[5]
