William Atherton (26 September 1683-5 August 1745), of Greenbank and Pendleton Hall, was a merchant and wealthy landowner from Preston, Lancashire. He was twice elected as Mayor of Preston; once in 1732, and again in 1738. He was a wealthy silk mercer who also held various public roles in Preston. He served as bailiff in 1724,, becoming a councilman in 1728. In 1731 he was the Alderman of the Borough, a position he held up right until his death.. He was the son of John Atherton of Preston, a successful and wealthy woolen draper. His father, John Atherton had served as Mayor of Preston in 1696 and 1704.. Atherton went on to follow on his father’s footsteps in a mayoral role, serving twice from 1732 to 1733 and 1738 to 1739. Records show that he was an active Steward of the Guild during 1742. He was a close friend and political associate of Anthony Devis, the father of Arthur Devis. In order to demonstrate his social standing, Devis was commissioned to paint him and his wife Lucy in 1744. This portrait was painted a year before his death. His patronage would have certainly helped Arthur Devis career. He had 5 children. All sons followed the fathers trade with exception of William Atherton, who managed a plantation in Jamaica, which was vested in the families interest. His brother, John Atherton of Hanover Street, Liverpool, purchased Walton Hall in 1746, was involved in the African slave trade. At least 18 slave voyages between 1737 and 1757 are on record. John died in Gloucester in 1786. The family home, “Greenbank” was set back on land north of Fylde Road. William Tunnicliff in 1781 described it as “a neat residence, surrounded with gardens and shrubberies…laid out in a tasteful manner.” It was situated in the vicinity of Greenbank St and Fylde Road. It is no longer in existence, Atherton Street lies directly within the grounds of the old town house. Atherton died in Preston and was buried on 5 August 1745.