Michael Williams

Michael Williams (1785–1858) was the second son of John Williams (1753 – 1841) and his first wife, Catherine Harvey (1757–1826).

1785 Born at Burncoose House, Truro, on 3 June

1813 married Elizabeth Eales (d. 1852)

Employed in managing the Williams family's copper mining interests in the parish of Gwennap, near Redruth.

Became the leading partner in Williams, Foster and Co, with business activities in both England and Wales.

1830s Acquired Morfa copper smelting works

1839 Sheriff of Glamorgan; later became deputy warden of the Cornish stannaries.

1853 credited with saving the Cornish copper industry from total collapse at a time of great economic difficulty.

From 1853 represented the county seat of West Cornwall in the House of Commons as a Liberal.

1854 Chairman of the Cornwall Railway Co

Partner in the Cornish Bank, which was largely owned by the Williams Family.

1854 Purchase of Caerhayes Castle in mid-Cornwall, away from the mining areas.

1858 Died at Trevince on 15 June.

Sources of Information