Gilbert Gilpin
1807 'Mr. Charles Le Caen, of Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, and Mr. Gilbert Gilpin, resident near Shiffnal, Salop, last week obtained a purse of 20 guineas each from the Society of Arts, the former for an improved method of fastening tram-plates to the bearing stones, without wooden or wrought-iron pins, and the latter for a machine for winding coals out mines, by the help of chains instead of ropes, and balancing the unequal weight of suspended chain in different parts of the ascent.'[1]
1808 'Mr. Gilbert Gilpin, Old Pode Iron-Works, near Shiffnal, has invented a machine for raising Coal from the pit, which requires one-third less momentum (consequently one-third less expense) to work it than a common cylindrical one. It is worked by means of Chains instead of ropes; and the comparative expense in a pit 80 yards deep, for three years and four months, was, for ropes, £171 17s. 6d.—for chains, not one-third worn out at the expiration of the term, £43 11s.'[2]
1827 'On the 18th inst. his residence, Dawley Green, Gilbert Gilpin, Esq. iron-master.-Society has lost in him a most valuable and intelligent member, and the poor a liberal and excellent friend.'[3]
1827 Death notices, 18th October: 'Same day, Dawley, Shropshire, Gilbert Gilpin, chain manufacturer; by his death the poor have lost a friend, his acquaintance a pleasant companion, and science one of its ornaments.' [4]