Griffin Foundry (Chesterfield)
1783 Advert: 'To be SOLD, Cheap, Now lying at the GRIFFIN FOUNDERY, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, The following new Materials of a FIRE ENGINE, never taken from the Foundery; A CYLINDER, 57 Inches Diameter, with PISTON to the same. A RECEIVER and REGULATOR. STAND and COCK, PIN of BRASS. RECEIVER DOOR, and PISTON WEIGHTS, Inquire of Mr. WILLIAM MILNES, Grocer in Ashover, in the said County; or Mr. FRANCIS THOMPSON, Engineer, of the same Place.'
Derby Mercury - Thursday 18 September 1783
1784 Died on October 1, John Smith, principal proprietor of the Griffin Foundry at Chesterfield.[1]
1786 'WHEREAS RICHARD CLARKE, late of the City of Norwich, and now of the Parish or free Chapelry of Brampton, near Chesterfield, in the County of Derby, Esquire, having declined the Foundery and Iron Businesses, and having assigned his Shares in the Works near Chesterfield, Called the Griffin Foundery, to Messrs. Smiths and Bale ; Notice is therefore hereby given, That the respective Partnerships heretofore carried on by the said Richard Clarke, along and together with Messrs. John Smith, the elder (lately deceased), Thomas Munton, John Bale, and John Smith, the younger, under the Firm of " Smith, Clarke, Munton, Bale, and Smith;"- and since the Death of the said John Smith, the elder, along and together with his Sons Messrs. John Smith, William Smith, Ebenezer Smith, and Joseph Fletcher Smith, and the said Thomas Munton, and John Bale, were on the Seventeenth Day of March last DISSOLVED, as to the said RICHARD CLARKE; and that all Debts owing by the said Co-partnerships, will be discharged by the said Messrs. Smiths, and Bale; and to whom all Debts owing to such Co-partnerships, are desired to be paid. Dated the 23d Day of January, 1786. RICHARD CLARKE. Witness J. Bower.' [2]
1787 Whereas Richard Clarke, late of the City of Norwich, and now of the Parish or Free Chapelry of Brampton, near Chesterfield, in the County of Derby, Esq., having declined the Foundery and Iron Businesses, and having assigned his Shares in the Works near Chesterfield, called the Griffin Foundry, to Messrs. Smiths and Bale, Notice is therefore hereby given, that the respective Partnerships heretofore carried on by the said Richard Clarke, along and together with Messrs. John Smith the Elder, (lately deceased) Thomas Munton, John Bale, and John Smith the Younger, under the Firm of Smith, Clarke, Munton, Bale and Smith; and since the Death of the said John Smith the Elder, along and together with his Sons and Representatives Messrs. John Smith, William Smith, Ebenezer Smith, and Joseph Fletcher Smith, and the said Thomas Munton and John Bale, were, on the 17th Day of March, 1785, dissolved by mutual Consent as to the said Richard Clarke; and whereas the said Thomas Munton is lately dead, and the said Messrs. Smiths and Bale having purchased his Shares in the said Works of his Representatives, Notice is therefore also hereby given, that the Business will in future be carried on by the said Messrs. Smiths and Bale only; and that all Debts owing by the said Copartnerships will be discharged by them, and to whom all Debts owing to such Copartnerships are desired to be paid.[3]
1790 'On Saturday evening last, William Rowland (a native of this place) being much in Liquor, went up a stair case at the Griffin Furnace, near Chesterfield, to a landing there, where some of the workmen are used to sleep : After he had been some short time, he accidentally fell therefrom to the ground, and instantly died.'[4]
1793 Advertisement: 'STEAM ENGINE, to raise Water, with Two Boilers, only one Year old.
The Cylinder 24 Inches, may be seen working any Day, is only parted with, because the Works it is applied to are considerably enlarged, and one of a greater Power is wanted. It is particularly well adapted to any Mill, or other Work, which in dry Seasons may he short of Water. Its Construction is such, that it receives no Injury from standing, and may be set to work in a few Minutes any time.
For further Information apply to Messrs Smith and Co, at the Griffin Foundery, Chesterfield, Mr. Francis Thompson, Engineer, at Ashbourn, Derbyshire, or Mr. Thomas Lowe, Millwright, at Nottingham.' [5]
1797 Died - 'Suddenly in his bed, John Bayle, esq; a partner in the Griffin foundery, at Chesterfield.'[6]