Robert Foley (ironmonger)
Encyclopedia
Robert Foley of Stourbridge
was a son of Richard Foley
, the most important ironmaster
of his time in the west Midlands, by his second marriage (to Alice Brindley).
In contrast with other members of the family who became ironmasters, Robert Foley became an ironmonger, that is, a person who organises the manufacture of finished ironware and sells it. In doing so he may have been taking over that aspect of his father's business, just as his older brother Thomas Foley had taken over their father's ironworks. Shortly after the English Restoration, Foley obtained a contract from the Navy Board
to supply ironware to several dockyards.
His house at Stourbridge and estate at Netherton
in Dudley
were given him by his father. He probably mined coal in his land at Yorks Park, near Netherton around 1660, but left others to extend mines into neighbouring land. However he bought the manor of Kenswick
in Knightwick
himself in 1669.
He was High Sheriff of Worcestershire
in 1671. He married Anne Blurton in 1645 and was succeeded by his son, another Robert Foley
.
Foley died on a business trip. He traveled from his home in Stourbridge
to Bristol
and then to London
, where he died at his inn.
Stourbridge
Stourbridge is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. Historically part of Worcestershire, Stourbridge was a centre of glass making, and today includes the suburbs of Amblecote, Lye, Norton, Oldswinford, Pedmore, Wollaston, Wollescote and Wordsley The...
was a son of Richard Foley
Richard Foley (ironmaster)
Richard Foley was a prominent English ironmaster. He is best known from the folktale of "Fiddler Foley", which is either not correct or does not apply to him.Richard was the son of another Richard Foley, a nailer at Dudley...
, the most important ironmaster
Ironmaster
An ironmaster is the manager – and usually owner – of a forge or blast furnace for the processing of iron. It is a term mainly associated with the period of the Industrial Revolution, especially in Great Britain....
of his time in the west Midlands, by his second marriage (to Alice Brindley).
In contrast with other members of the family who became ironmasters, Robert Foley became an ironmonger, that is, a person who organises the manufacture of finished ironware and sells it. In doing so he may have been taking over that aspect of his father's business, just as his older brother Thomas Foley had taken over their father's ironworks. Shortly after the English Restoration, Foley obtained a contract from the Navy Board
Navy Board
The Navy Board is today the body responsible for the day-to-day running of the British Royal Navy. Its composition is identical to that of the Admiralty Board of the Defence Council of the United Kingdom, except that it does not include any of Her Majesty's Ministers.From 1546 to 1831, the Navy...
to supply ironware to several dockyards.
His house at Stourbridge and estate at Netherton
Netherton, West Midlands
Netherton is a town in the West Midlands within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. It lies around south of the town of Dudley and north of Cradley Heath...
in Dudley
Dudley
Dudley is a large town in the West Midlands county of England. At the 2001 census , the Dudley Urban Sub Area had a population of 194,919, making it the 26th largest settlement in England, the second largest town in the United Kingdom behind Reading, and the largest settlement in the UK without...
were given him by his father. He probably mined coal in his land at Yorks Park, near Netherton around 1660, but left others to extend mines into neighbouring land. However he bought the manor of Kenswick
Kenswick, Worcestershire
Kenswick is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills District in the county of Worcestershire, England.-External links:*...
in Knightwick
Knightwick
Knightwick is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills District in the county of Worcestershire, England.-External links:*...
himself in 1669.
He was High Sheriff of Worcestershire
High Sheriff of Worcestershire
This is a list of Sheriff and since 1998 High Sheriffs of Worcestershire.The Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
in 1671. He married Anne Blurton in 1645 and was succeeded by his son, another Robert Foley
Robert Foley (MP)
Robert Foley of Stourbridge was the son of Robert Foley .- Biography :He succeeded to his father's business as an ironmonger and naval contractor for ironware. His contract with the Navy Board has been printed, and lists 30 different kinds of nails and nearly 60 other species of iron goods...
.
Foley died on a business trip. He traveled from his home in Stourbridge
Stourbridge
Stourbridge is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. Historically part of Worcestershire, Stourbridge was a centre of glass making, and today includes the suburbs of Amblecote, Lye, Norton, Oldswinford, Pedmore, Wollaston, Wollescote and Wordsley The...
to Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and then to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he died at his inn.