Baldwin, Son and Co
From Graces Guide
ironfounders, of Stourport-on-Severn
- Manufacturers and suppliers in Great Britain.
- 1788 Thomas Baldwin (1751–1823) moved from Shrewsbury to Stourport to take advantage of its location on the emerging canal system[1] and established an iron foundry. At some point, Thomas established the company Baldwin, Son and Co
- The foundry was expanded by Thomas's sons George Pearce Baldwin (1789–1840) and Enoch Baldwin (1793–1857).
- 1840 After George Pearce Baldwin's death, Enoch formed E. P. and W. Baldwin in partnership with his two eldest nephews, Pearce (1813–1851) and William (1817–1863); the business was located at Wilden Ironworks.
- c. 1857 George's youngest son, Alfred Baldwin (1841-1908), at the age of sixteen, became a partner in Baldwin, Son and Co[2], which was a relatively large firm, making ironwork of all kinds, plus worsted spinning mills at Stourport, and with a carpet manufactory at Bridgnorth[3]. Enoch' second son, Enoch (1823- ), was also involved in the business from the start of his working life[4].
- 1863 William Baldwin died; he had been senior partner in the companies of Baldwin, Son and Co and Baldwin Brothers of Stourport, and E. P. and W. Baldwin of Wilden and Wolverhampton[5].
- 1863 Following the deaths of the founders of E. P. and W. Baldwin, control passed to Alfred Baldwin and his two surviving brothers, George (1826–1881) and Stanley (1828–1907). However, the latter's bad management and drinking, combined with a trade depression, brought the firm close to bankruptcy in the late 1860s[6].
- 1870 Alfred Baldwin raised £20,000 and bought out his brothers to take sole control of the businesses Wilden Ironworks (?) and E. P. and W. Baldwin. He moved to Wilden House overlooking the forge. He was responsible for the rapid growth of the firm and established a reputation as a benevolent employer and as a patriarch of the Wilden district[7].
- 1879 Company took out a patent on enamelled ware, offering a coating that did not crack or chip and was suitable for culinary uses[8].
- 1880 Mr Enoch Baldwin, second son of Enoch Baldwin, was the principal/senior partner in the business of Baldwin, Son and Co; he stood for Parliament as Liberal candidate for Bewdley[9] and won the seat[10].
- 1881 Manufacturers of cast, turned and tinned holloware, hinges and builders ironmongery[11].
- 1886 Dissolution of partnership of Enoch Baldwin, Alfred Baldwin and Edward Arthur Baldwin trading as Baldwin, Son and Co, holloware manufacturers and enamellers[12]. Presumably then registered as a limited company.
- 1892 Presentation by the workforce of Baldwin, Son and Co Ltd to Mr Enoch Baldwin on the occasion of his 70th birthday[13].
- 1937 Cast-iron butt-hinge manufacturers[14]
See Also
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Sources of Information
- ↑ Biography of Stanley Baldwin, by Stuart Ball, ODNB
- ↑ Biography of Alfred Baldwin, ODNB
- ↑ Biography of Alfred Baldwin, ODNB
- ↑ The Times, 13 July 1880
- ↑ Berrow's Worcester Journal, 23 May 1863
- ↑ Biography of Stanley Baldwin, by Stuart Ball, ODNB
- ↑ Biography of Alfred Baldwin, ODNB
- ↑ Berrow's Worcester Journal, 27 September 1879
- ↑ Birmingham Daily Post, 1 July 1880
- ↑ The Standard, 13 July 1880
- ↑ Birmingham Daily Post, 10 May 1881
- ↑ Berrow's Worcester Journal, 4 December1886
- ↑ Berrow's Worcester Journal, 3 September 1892
- ↑ 1937 The Aeroplane Directory of the Aviation and Allied Industries