Joseph Allday must credit be given for the exposure of numerous abuses existing in his day. He had but to get proper insight into anything going on wrong than he at once attacked it, tooth and nail, no matter who stood in the road, or who suffered from his blows. His efforts to put a stop to the cruelties connected with the old system of imprisonment and distraint for debt led to the abolition of the local Courts of Requests; and his wrathful indignation on learning the shocking manner in which prisoners at the goal were treated by the Governor, Lieutenant Austin, in 1852-53, led to the well-remembered "Gaol Atrocity Enquiry," and earned for him the thanks of the Commissioners appointed by Government to make the enquiry. As a Town Councillor and Alderman, as a Poor Law Guardian and Chairman of the Board, as Parish Warden for St. Martin's and an opponent of church-rates (while being a good son of Mother Church), as founder of the Ratepayers' Protection Society and a popular leader of the Conservative party, it needs not saying that Mr. Allday had many enemies at all periods of his life, but there were very few to speak ill of him at the time of his death, which resulted from injuries received in a fall on Oct. 2nd, 1861.
Allen, J.—Local portrait painter of some repute from 1802 to 1820.
Aston, John, who died Sept. 12, 1882, in his 82nd year, at one time took a leading share in local affairs. He was High Bailiff in 1841, a J. P. for the county, for 40 years a Governor of the Grammar School, and on the boards of management of a number of religious and charitable institutions. A consistent Churchman, he was one of the original trustees of the "Ten Churches Fund," one of the earliest works of church extension in Birmingham; he was also the chief promoter of the Church of England Cemetery, and the handsome church of St. Michael, which stands in the Cemetery grounds, was largely due to his efforts. In politics Mr. Aston was a staunch Conservative, and was one of the trustees of the once notable Constitutional Association.
Attwood.—The foremost name of the days of Reform, when the voice of Liberal Birmingham male itself heard through its leaders was that of Thomas Attwood. A native of Salop, born Oct. 6, 1783, he became a resident here soon after coming of age, having joined Messrs. Spooner's Bank, thence and afterwards known as Spooner and Attwood's. At the early age of 28 he was chosen High Bailiff, and soon made his mark by opposing the renewal of the East India Co.'s charter, and by his exertions to obtain the withdrawal of the "Orders in Council," which in 1812, had paralysed the trade of the country with America. The part he took in the great Reform meetings, his triumphant reception after the passing of the Bill, and his being sent to Parliament as one of the first representatives for the borough, are matters which have been too many times dilated upon to need recapitulation. Mr. Attwood had peculiar views on the currency question, and pertinaciously pressing them on his fellow members in the House of Commons he was not liked, and only held his seat until the end of Dec, 1839, the last prominent act of his political life being the presentation of a monster Chartist petition in the previous June. He afterwards retired into private life, ultimately dying at Malvern, March 6, 1856, being then 73 years of age. Charles Attwood, a brother, but who look less part in politics, retiring from the Political Union when he thought Thomas and his friends were verging on the precipice of revolution, was well known in the north of England iron and steel trade. He died Feb. 24, 1875, in his 84th year. Another brother Benjamin, who left politics alone, died Nov. 22, 1874, aged 80. No greater contrast could possibly be drawn than that shown in the career of these three gentlemen. The youngest
