Ashworth was in partnership with George Hargreaves of Thistlemount, Waterfoot. They traded under various names and became the major coal firm in Rossendale.

He also held shares in the Haslingden to Todmorden Turnpike Trust, which included Newchurch Road, off which his home was built. The main turnpike was built in 1789 and the extensions to Burnley and Bacup in 1815. This is said to be one of the last roads built by the famous road builder Blind Jack of Knaresboro', at a cost of £3,000.

One of the pits (Old Meadow) arranged its access roads to avoid the tollbar. As the turnpike never cleared its debts that probably made good business sense.

(Lancashire turnpike map courtesy Lancashire County Council with permission. The link 'turnpike plans 1814' is redrawn from plans in Lancashire Record Office ref DDX/118/9)

Approximate location of collieries thought to be associated with John Ashworth or descendants. Click for a larger version with key.