H. B. Whitehouse and Sons
of Coseley, Bilston
1867 Priorfield Furnaces had 3 blast furnaces built, 3 in blast. Best melters[1]
1871 'One of the oldest pig iron manufacturers in South Staffordshire has died during the week, viz., Mr. H. B. Whitehouse, of the Priorfield Furnaces, near Bilston. The deceased, who was highly respected by his fellow ironmasters and the public at large, was engaged nearly fifty years ago in carrying on blast furnaces at the Fox Yards, near Tipton, which have, however, been long since demolished, owing to the adjacent mining operations. The machinery and plant were then removed to Priorfield, where three or four new furnaces were erected, and are now in full operation. On Saturday last the deceased, who was in his seventy-sixth year, he was followed to the grave, in Sedgley churchyard, by a large body of his own workpeople.'[2]
1881 Priorfields furnaces
Blast furnaces at Chesterfield
1869 'ACCIDENT AT PRIORFIELD IRONWORKS. An accident of a singular character occurred on Thursday at the Priorfield Ironworks, Coseley, resulting inthe death of two workmen named Mobberley and Edward Hampton. There is stationary engine the top of an inclined tramway at this work, which draws the waggons laden with "cinder" from the furnaces. Each cinder weighs about two tons. The engine was drifting one of these cinders, when the waggon became detached, and ran back down the incline at a rapid speed. There happened to be another waggon at the bottom, on the same line of rails, and collision consequently took place. Mobbteley was between the two, and his body was cut completely through, the upper portion being found some distance away from his legs and abdomen. The other man, Hampton, had his head badly injured, and survived only a few minutes.'[3]
1907 'IRONMASTER SHOT. Mr Henry B. Whitehouse, eldest son Mr Benjamin Whitehouse, J.P., of the Priorfield Furnaces, Deepfields, Staffordshire, died late on Wednesday in tragic circumstances. The deceased, who was 45 years of age, went to the works, of which he was manager, in the morning, apparently in his usual health. He did not return, and his body was found in the old offices, lying in a pool of blood, the deceased haying apparently shot himself in the mouth. A revolver lay beside the body. The deceased leaves a widow and two children.'[4]
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Black Country History