In 1814 Ashton-under-Lyne was described as a small, but populous and much improving town; it is pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, in the south-east corner of the county of Lancaster, on the north side of the river Tame.

There was formerly a market held here every Wednesday. The trade of Ashton has, at least, kept pace with the other populous places around it; the cotton factories are numerous, the population fast increasing, and the town, at this day, may truly be considered of much commercial consequence in the district. The canal from Manchester to Ashton, Oldham, etc. has added much to the improvement and comfort of the surrounding neighbourhood. Ashton is seven miles from Manchester; in 1811 the number of its inhabitants was upwards of 10,000.