Matthew Loam

Pending some clarification, this entry will cover three generations of Matthew Loams.

Matthew Loam (1761-1808) was the father of Matthew Loam (1794-1875) and Michael Loam (1797-1871). Matthew Sr. had worked for Boulton and Watt, starting as an engineman on the Wheal Butson in 1791, and died while Michael was still a boy.

Matthew Jr. worked for Woolf on engine erection until 1825, when he appears to have left Cornwall, later becoming chief engineer of Charles Tayleur and Co.

Michael Loam's son Matthew Loam (1819-1902) became an engineer with his practice in Liskeard. Became Loam and Son?

1851 'Bodmin Wheal Mary Consols. — Wednesday, April 16.— A fine 50-inch engine, built by Messrs. Thomas and Co. of Charlestown, Matthew Loam, Esq of Liskeard, son of Mr. Loam [this would be Michael Loam ] of the eminent firm of Hocking & Loam being the engineer, was this day put to work at this mine, and moved off in beautiful style, working as smoothly as if it had been in use for months, and receiving the approbation of a large assemblage of the respectable inhabitants of the neighborhood. Great credit is due to Messrs. Thomas and Co. for the way in which the work has been done, the cylinders and every other casting having been executed at their foundry at Charlestown. — This, we understand, is the first engine in the county, of such a size, of which the castings have been made east of Truro. — "Bodmin Wheal Mary Consols" was partially worked in 1846 and 1847, but like too many other mines in this county was stopped during the panic. — A new term having been obtained by the present Company on very liberal terms from Mr. Pearce, of Bodmin, this mine was put to work in November last by Mr. Welborne and party, under whose energetic management a vast amount of work has been done with the most satisfactory result. 29 tons of good price ore were sampled in March last, and it is computed that 50 tons will be sampled next month, and so on progressively. A great deal of ore ground has been laid open, and there is every prospect of the undertaking shortly becoming a dividend-paying mine. The occasion was celebrated in terms commensurate with the prospects which this mine points to in this hitherto untried district. The men actually at work upon the mine amount to above a hundred, who had a good dinner of roast beef (regular English fare) with the et-ceteras of plum pudding, and all the concomitants, supplied in a substantial manner by Mr. Oliver, of Bodmin. — From a correspondent.'

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