Ralph Assheton (Ashton) was born in 1605 and took over his father's estates at Middleton, Lancashire at the age of 13 in 1618 on the death of his father. Little Is known of his early years until 1631 when at the age of 26 he refused a Knighthood which went with his estates (possibly the first gesture of defiance against the Stuart Monarchy). By 1640 Ralph had become one of the two Members of Parliament for Lancashire and in 1642 just prior to the outbreak of Civil War he was made deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lancashire, and when war broke out was made Colonel of the Levies for the South Lancashire area.

During the first and second Civil Wars 1642-1644 and 1648-1649 Col Ralph Assheton and his Regiment fought in many campaigns for the Parliamentary cause. His first taste of war was when he took 150 "'Clubmen"' to help defend Manchester in 1642 (However, this was not the first recording of an Assheton being involved in war as one of his forefathers Richard Assheton known as the ""Black Knight'" or locally as the "'Black Lad" had taken a body of archers to flight against the Scots at the Battle of Flodden). The Asshetons were also recorded being at The Siege of Bolton, The Siege of Chester (Rowton Moor), The Siege of Nantwich and The Battle of Marston Moor

He also relieved Cockermouth Castle in 1648 capturing much ordinance. arms and ammunition went on to take Appleby Castle and finally played a large part in the Battle of Preston in 1648 alongside Col. John Bright and Oliver Cromwell's cavalry. He was personally praised by Cromwell for his courage and the bravery and the dedication of his men. Also during his noted Civil War history he was made Major General of the whole of Lancashire Armies by Cromwell

Towards the end of the second Civil War he was one of the Parliamentarians that opposed the execution of Charles Stuart in 1649. He died in 1650 at the age of 45 under a dark cloud of intrigue and a possible charge of Treason, although local history says that he died of a broken heart over the death of the King.

He was buried in the local Parish Church at Middleton where his tomb can still be seen. Unfortunately his family home Middleton Hall was demolished in 1845.