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EIGHTEENTH CENTURY LONDON
IRONMONGERS
The Worshipful Company
The company is nominally responsible for
conduct of the trade within the City of London, and has probably considerable
influence outside it. Nevertheless many
ironmongers who feature prominently in the Cort story seem to play no part in
the affairs of the company.
Location of premises
London ironmongers appear to congregate
around Thames Street, close to the river on the northern bank. Many also have a warehouse down stream.
Presumably most goods arrive by sea, and
are kept at the warehouse. They travel
upriver by barge (they have to pass under London Bridge)
when needed at the shop.
Bicklewith
This name has appeared only in connection
with the career of Richard Crawshay.
Jukes Coulson
Perhaps the most significant name among
London ironmongers in Cort's time.
Probably a name shared by father and son, both in the business.
Premises with wharf at 10 Allhallows Lane
from 1767 to 1790. Then at 95 Upper
Thames Street. Also registered as
anchorsmith at Rotherhithe.
Closely
involved with Ironmongers Company, supervising their estates as early as 1763.
Makes piston rods for Watt's engines, using
Swedish iron. A link with the
Lindegrens is confirmed in Coulson's 1794 will, which names one of them as a
beneficiary.
The will also refers to a partnership with
Millington and Vardon.
Claimed by the Oxford DNB as "probably
London's leading iron merchant" whose "interests stretched from
Stockholm to Smyrna" according to Chris Evans's The Labyrinth of Flame.
Claimed "23 years in business"
during a legal dispute in the 1780s, but does not appear in Ironmongers Company
books.
Took over a business in Thames Street
previously owned by Bicklewith. Moved
several times without leaving the area: one address at 3 Bull Wharf Lane,
Queenhithe, suggests proximity to the Lindegren business.
Eventually settled at 3 George Yard, Upper
Thames Street, where his "house" continued in business long after his
death.
Involved in several London partnerships,
the later ones involving William Thompson from Government Ordnance at the Tower
of London. Gave a job to William's
brother Robert at Cyfarthfa.
Dealings are recorded with Cramond, Millington, Raby and William Reynolds.
Described William
Wilkinson as his "friend for 20 years" in a letter of
introduction to Swedish iron traders in 1788.
Also connections with Samuel Thornton (a
signatory to the 1791 petition) and Brook Watson
(presenter of the petition) and William Wilberforce.
Member of Society of
Arts, 1789.
Moves to Cyfarthfa in 1792.
Edward Jones
Influential member of Ironmongers Company,
suggests long association with Coulson and Vardon. Not listed in London trade directories.
Premises at 7 All Hallows Lane near
Coulson's and Raby's.
Probably the supplier of cannon who
persuades the Government to revoke Wilkinson's patent.
Later crosses swords with Raby after hiring
out his nearby wharf while Raby's is being repaired. Raby complains to head of Government William
Pitt that Jones is using his influence to deny him a licence to use his
wharf once the repair is complete
Brothers Andrew & Charles
Lindegren
Evidently the main importers of Swedish
iron for a long period.
In Mincing Lane to 1767. Then to 1 Red Bull Wharf, Thames Street.
Charles becomes a Director of Royal
Exchange Assurance. His son Andrew
moves to Portsmouth, where he has a lengthy career, which includes “many years
agent to the Hon. East India Company” (to quote from an obituary).
Isaiah Millington
Takes
over the Crowley business in Upper Thames Street.
Forms partnership with Coulson and Vardon.
Supplies locks and other ironmongery to the
Navy.
Alexander Raby
Ironmonger
with earliest documented connection with Cort.
Also manufactures hoops.
Partners Rogers and Holmer in turn, moving
from Dockhead to Steelyard in All Hallows Lane. Wharves adjacent to Coulson and Jones.
Complains to Pitt in 1787 about business
difficulties he attributes to Jones.
Information from the Web shows him owning
coalmines and other property, including a large estate in Surrey.
Later becomes interested in ironworking in
Wales. Moves to Llanelly.
Thomas Vardon
Another stalwart of Ironmongers Company.
Premises at 61 Gracechurch Street. Partner at first of George Franklin.
Later forms partnership with Millington and
Coulson.
Supplies to Navy include anchors and camp
forges.
The Wilson family
Brothers Robert, John and William. Originates at Carnwath in southern Scotland,
where Robert stays.
John spends time in Sweden, then sets up in
London (Cornhill) with William, importing Swedish iron.
In 1779 the three brothers combine to set
up the Wilsontown Ironworks near Carnwath.
The London firm is the only iron company
involved in the 1791 petition on behalf of Cort.
Cort's daughter
Charlotte marries a John Wilson, who may be the son of ironmonger
John. By 1811 the couple are in Guiana,
where John later becomes agent for John Gladstone. On leaving Guiana, John becomes Gladstone’s
partner for ten years.
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RELATED TOPICS Cort’s promotion
efforts 1783-6 Shropshire
and Staffordshire ironmasters |
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