Losh and Wilson
1797 the Losh family inherited a share in a coalmine on the Tyne at Walker in which a brine spring had been discovered. This provided a private source of salt for making soda. They avoided the duty on salt by evaporating the brine together with sulphuric acid, thus forming sulphate of soda[1]
Early 19th century: brothers John and William Losh led the firm which went onto manufacture both alkali and iron.
John Losh established Walker Alkali Works which he left in the charge of his brother William.
1803 Thomas Wilson moved to join a Tyneside engineering company run by John Losh, Losh, Lubbren and Co
1803 Losh, Lubbren and Co (the firm of George Losh, William Losh and John Diederich Lubbren), merchants was bankrupt[2]
Began iron-making north of the River Forth at Balgonie, near Markinch, and on the Leven, in Fifeshire.[3]
1807 Thomas Bell (1774-1845) started work for Losh and Co
1807 Wilson became a partner in the company with John Losh
1809 William Losh, recognising the growing importance of the iron trade, established the Walker Ironworks; Thomas Bell became the junior partner[4]
1814 John Losh's estate passed to his daughter Sara, including the Walker Alkali Works managed by her uncle William Losh[5]
By 1816 Thomas Bell was involved in the company Losh, Wilson and Bell, manufacturer of alkali and iron.