ASSHETON (ASHTON), Sir Ralph, 2nd Bt. (1652-1716), of Middleton, nr. Manchester, Lancs.

b. 11 Feb. 1652, 1st s. of Sir Ralph Ashton, 1st Bt., of Middleton, by Anne, da. of Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st Bt., of Great Lever; bro. of Richard Assheton (Ashton)*. educ. privately; Brasenose, Oxf. 1668, MA 1669; travelled abroad 1673. m. (1) Mary (d. 1694), da. and h. of Thomas Vavasour of Spaldington, Yorks., 1s. d.v.p. 3da.; (2) 30 July 1696, Mary, da. and h. of Robert Hyde of Denton, Lancs., s.p. suc. fa. as 2nd Bt. 28 Apr. 1665; maternal uncle Sir John Assheton, 4th Bt., in Whalley Abbey estate 1697. Dorm. and Extinct Baronetcies, 19–22; John Rylands Univ. Lib. Manchester, Legh of Lyme mss corresp. Anne Assheton to Richard Legh†, 29 Mar. [1673].