David Whitehead (businessman)

David Whitehead (11 December, 1790, Gambleside - 28 January, 1865) was a Lancashire businessman who set up in business with his brothers Thomas and Peter in 1815. He became a major figure in the cotton industry, developing several mills in Rawtenstall. He was an active methodist and attended the third International Peace Congress held in Paris in 1849.^[1]

He is buried in the same grave as his two brothers in the churchyard of Longholme Methodist Church.^[2] He had 11 children, of whom nine appear to have survived him. His will divided his property between five sons with provision for his widow and four daughters.^[1] Two of his sons were Thomas Hoyle Whitehead and John Ormerod Whitehead.