William McConnel

William McConnel (1810 – 10 October 1902) (sometimes written: William McConnell

Cotton mill owner

The McConnel family were owners of a series of large cotton spinning mills in Ancoats in the city of Manchester. The first mill, Sedgewick Mill, was built between 1818 and 1821 by the company of Messrs. McConnel & Kennedy under the chairmanship of James McConnel, William's father, and in partnership with John Kennedy. James McConnel died in 1831 and three of his sons, Henry, James and William became partners in the business. By 1833, the McConnel & Kennedy Mills were the largest importer of cotton from America, and Sedgwick Mill was one of the largest mills in operation in the United Kingdom. Henry retired from the business in 1860 and his brother James retired in 1861, leaving William as the sole owner of the mill.

Later life

McConnel continued to control McConnel & Kennedy until his retirement in 1878. John Wanklyn McConnel, his eldest son, took over the business in 1880. William McConnel died in 1902.

(Margaret) Elisabeth Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe (née McConnel), daughter of Frederick Bradshaw McConnel, was his great-granddaughter. Another descendant was Diana, Duchess of Wellington, née Diana Ruth McConnel, daughter of Douglas Fitzgerald McConnel and granddaughter of William Holdsworth McConnel. Thus the present dukes of Roxburghe and Wellington are two of his descendants.