 The McConnel family were owners of a series of large cotton spinning mills in Ancoats in the city of Manchester.The first mill, Sedgewick Mill, was built between 1818 and 1821 by the company of Messrs. McConnel & Kennedy under the chairmanship of James McConnel, William's father, and in partnership with John Kennedy.James McConnel died in 1831 and three of his sons, Henry, James and William became partners in the business.