Thomas Goldney (1696–1768), ironmaster
1696 Born on 12 July at Clifton, near Bristol, 6th of the twelve children of Thomas Goldney (1664–1731), a grocer, and his wife, Martha, née Speed (c.1667–1722).
1711 Thomas was apprenticed to his parents.
1717 he began work as a clerk with the Coalbrookdale Co in Shropshire, the leading ironworks in the country, acting on behalf of his father, who had mortgaged half these ironworks a few years earlier.
1723 Returned to Bristol, working in his father's business but spent much time dealing with consignments of goods from Coalbrookdale.
1731 Took over the business and became the Bristol agent for the Coalbrookdale Company
1733 Became a shareholder in the Willey ironworks, across the River Severn from Coalbrookdale, until 1758.
1730s With Richard Ford was concerned with the Bershay furnace, near Wrexham.
1740s Diversified into shares in the Warmley Brass Co, near Bristol, and the Bristol Lead Co, as well as coal and lead mines, a smeltery, and a calamine works in Flintshire and mines elsewher
1752 Partner in one of Bristol's first banks.
1754 Became a co-partner with Abraham Darby (1711-1763) in furnaces at Horsehay farm, 2 miles north of Coalbrookdale, and held a one-third share in the Ketley furnaces, 2 miles north of Horsehay, until 1757.
1763 installed Richard Reynolds as manager at Coalbrookdale.
1768 Died unmarried
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of Thomas Goldney, ODNB [1]