The family were Irish in origin. Alexander Petrie, an iron founder and millwright from Cumbria, opened a small foundry in Bury c.1792. His son, John Petrie (b. 30 May 1791 in Belfast; d. 23 February 1883) served his apprenticeship with him. Moving to Rochdale, John converted some cottages behind Cheetham Street into industrial premises and proved more successful in business than his father. So the latter closed his Bury business to join his son in Rochdale. The larger Phoenix Foundry was opened in 1818, producing its first stationary engine and that in the town in 1819. As Alexander Petrie & Son it became the largest engineering firm in Rochdale with a growing export market and became a public company in 1920.

As a loyal member of the WMA (and later of the UMFC), in 1837 John Petrie chaired the meeting that led to the building of Baillie Street chapel, Rochdale, sometimes referred to as 'the metropolis of United Methodism'. John served as a Town Commissioner and was later elected to the borough council and chaired the meeting that established the town's Auxiliary Temperance Society in July 1832.

John Petrie's eldest son, James Petrie (1814-1892) was a staunch Radical Reformer, a member of the General Council of the Anti-Corn League and supporter of Home Rule, but never served on the town council.

Other members of the family included William James Petrie (b.1840), who married Ann Yewdall (b. 12 November 1838; d.1900) and who was alderman and mayor in 1878-9, and J. Edward Petrie, mayor in 1887-8.

Entry written by: DCD
Category: Person
Comment on this entry