Dunheved Foundry
of Western Road, Launceston
- Not to be confused with Dunheved Iron Works
1820+ George Horwood, of Barnstaple, came to Launceston during the 1820’s, and set up in business as a plumber in Race Hill. He married a local girl and between them raised their family in the town. He moved to a site opposite the Castle gate, at the top of the new King William Street, (cut 1834, now St Thomas Road). Here he set up his business as an iron and brass founder and plumber. When George died two of his sons, living in two cottages either side of the Oddfellows Hall, carried on the business for many years. After the death of the sons, widow Mrs George Horwood (2nd) sold the business complete to Mr Edward Box. It passed to Mr Walter Hoskin in 1903 who carried it on for some years, producing carriages there. Although the foundry buildings have gone, the dwelling house and shop is still there and the two dwellings of the sons are very close, on Western Road, Launceston.
1859 G. and R. HORWOOD, Iron and Brass Founders, Plumbers, etc., WESTERN ROAD, LAUNCESTON, Return their thanks to their friends in the town and neighbourhood for the liberal support they have received in the above branches of their trade, and hope still to be favoured with that patronage they have hitherto received. Iron and Brass Castings of all descriptions; Stoves and Grates made and repaired; Plumbing work of all descriptions attended to; Brass and Lead Pumps of the best manufacture; Water Closets, &c.. Sheet Lead supplied to order.[1]
1887 Advert in East Cornwall Times: To Ironfounders, Plumbers & Others. Good Business & Premises in Launceston For Sale. TO BE SOLD BY TENDER all that commodious Dwelling House, Shop, Workshops, Foundry, Yard, Garden & Premises, situate in the Western Road, now in the occupation of the owner Mr George Horwood. Also all the Good Will, Stock-in-Trade & Fixtures in the said Foundry & Shop. The Business, which is a really good one, has been carried on by the present owner and his family for over 60 years, and is only sold in consequence of the ill-health of the proprietor. The Dwelling-House contains on the ground floor, a Shop, Kitchen & Three Sitting Rooms, on the first floor Five good Bedrooms. There are also good Cellars and Workshops underground, and a very convenient Yard, with Stables and Shed, also a large Garden at the back.
1888 EDWARD BOX respectfully announces that he has purchased the business carried on for so many years by the Messrs. Horwood at the Dunheved Foundry, and hopes, by bringing his long experience to bear on the work in all its branches, and giving prompt attention to all orders which may be entrusted to his care, to obtain a continuance of the support long accorded to his predecessors.[2]
1902 The funeral of Mr. E. Box, of the Dunheved Foundry, Launceston, took place yesterday at Marhamchurch.[3]
1903 DUNHEVED FOUNDRY, Launceston. Having Purchased the whole of the plant of the above Foundry from the Administratrix of the late Mr. E. BOX, we shall esteem it a favour if you will continue to give us the same kind support accorded to our late predecessor. We shall Manufacture our own KITCHEN RANGES, And make Special Feature of our Patent Smoke Preventor. CASTING of all kinds of iron and brass. Wrought Iron Gates and Railings in all designs, and General Smithery promptly attended to. WALTER HOSKIN & SONS.[4]
1915 WANTED, three MOULDERS, at once; constant job for good men. — Hoskin and Son. Dunheved Foundry, Launceston.[5]
Known or surviving waterwheels
- G & R Horwood. Ridgegrove Mills, Launceston at SX 338849. The flour or grist mill adjoining the house has two overshot waterwheels in line, each 11ft 9in by 4ft 3in, with six pairs of rather decayed iron arms and about 42 wooden buckets, now mostly rotted away. The rear wheel is cast ‘T Coombe Lanson’. The lead wheel: G & R Horwood Ironfounders T Coombe Millwright’.
- Edward Box. Worthyvale Manor, Slaughterbridge, Forrabury & Minster. At SX107860. 14ft by 2ft 3in. Incorporated into a staircase in a self-catering chalet. Dished. 2ft 11in at axle. Forty iron buckets gone.
- Edward Box. Stonaford Saw Mill, North Hill. At SX 2568 7795. 18ft by 3ft say. 56 buckets. cast by ‘E Box Launceston 1887’. Ring gear 336 teeth, pinion or spur gear 36 teeth.
- Edward Box. Tucking Mill, Canworthy Water, Warbstow At SX 2215 9148. Waterwheel was say 10ft by 3ft overshot. by ‘E Box Lanson’. Restored cosmetically following mill conversion as an house extension. Seen in May 1999.