Benjamin Cubitt
Benjamin Cubitt (1795-1848)
1795 Born in Norfolk.
Apprenticed to his elder brother (presumably William Cubitt) as a millwright
Foreman of the works of John Penn and Sons at Greenwich.
1825 or 1826 Took charge of the Engine and Machinery Building Works of Fenton, Murray and Wood.
1833 'Gratifying Token.— On Thursday evening week, a supper was given at the Woodman Inn, Holbeck, by Messrs Fenton, Murray, and Jackson's workmen, as a mark of respect to Mr. Benjamin Cubitt, one of their late managers. During the evening a splendid silver snuff box was presented to him, bearing the following inscription :— "Presented, Nov. 21, 1833, to Mr. Benjamin Cubitt, by the workmen in the employ of Messrs Fenton, Murray, and Jackson, engineers of Leeds, as a token of the high estimation in which he was held during the seven years he was their manager." [1]
After 1826 (presumably), when the company became Fenton, Murray and Jackson, his nephew, Joseph Cubitt, was apprenticed to him[2].
1832 In charge of the engine and machinery works of Rothwell and Co at Bolton for ten years, having taken over when Benjamin Hick left.
1842 Head of the Joint Committee which managed the rolling stock of the Brighton, Croydon and Dover Railways, of which latter railway his brother (presumably William Cubitt) was the Engineer-in-Chief.
1845 Superintendent Engineer of the Locomotive Department of the Great Northern Railway
1848 Died suddenly on the 12th of January.
1849 Obituary [3]
Mr. Benjamin Cubitt was born in the county of Norfolk in the year 1795, and after serving a regular apprenticeship to his elder brother, Mr. Cubitt, V.P., as a millwright, he became foreman of the works of Mr. Penn, at Greenwich.
He then took charge of the extensive Engine and Machinery Building Works of Fenton, Murray and Wood, of Leeds, and during the period of nearly ten years that he remained there, great improvements were introduced into the machines executed by that firm.
He then assumed the same position at the extensive works of Mr. Rothwell, at Bolton, on the secession of the late Mr. Hick from the concern, and after a service of ten years, only quitted that post to take charge of the Locomotive Department of the Brighton, Croydon, and Dover Railways, of which latter railway, his brother was the Engineer-in-Chief.
In this latter capacity, he had an opportunity of exhibiting the good results of his practical education, and the establishment under his charge was a model of good management.
On the separation of the three Companies, he was appointed the Superintendent Engineer of the Locomotive Department of the Great Northern Railway, and was actively engaged in the organization of the working stock of the line, when he died suddenly on the 12th of January, 1848, universally regretted by his friends, for his private virtues and his excellent qualities, and by the profession and his employers, for his talents, experience, sound practical mechanical knowledge and judgment, and his unflinching integrity.
He was not an old Member of the Institution, having only been elected in 1843, but he served on the Council very zealously, until his removal to Lincoln, and on his retirement carried with him the esteem and respect of all the other Members.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Yorkshire Gazette - Saturday 30 November 1833
- ↑ Biography of William Cubitt, ODNB
- ↑ 1849 Institution of Civil Engineers: Obituaries