1804 Harford, Davis and Co were bankers in Bristol[1]
1815-18 Harford, Davis and Co were in business in Bristol[2].
1836 Advert: 'CAPITAL IRON-FOUNDRY.
TO be SOLD by private Contract, an IRON-FOUNDRY adjoining Old Market-street, in Bristol, established nearly a century ago by Messrs. Harfords, Davies, and Company, and their predecessors, comprising 2,750 square yards, with a House fronting the street for the residence of a manager; an Air Furnace, two cupolas blown by a fan-blowing machine 5 feet diameter, and capable of blowing two more cupolas, worked by a steam engine sixteen-horse power, which also works a Blacking Mill and Boring Mill, containing a roll lathe and three boring bars; a Lathe for cutting large Screws, and two small lathes on a cast iron bed, lofts over, with a vice bench, extensive pattern shop, lathe and circular saw, which are also worked by the engine ; drying stove, with carriage templates and core ranges ; a large cylinder pit, double gib crane, large hardening stove, four smiths' shops, containing three iron hearths, with patent hollow backs; three smitheries, containing eight chain-makers' fires, an hydraulic machine for proving the chains, warehouses, counting-houses, yard, four houses occupied as shops, and five others for the accommodation of the workmen. The Foundry is fully equal to working 20 tons of iron per week, and in excellent repair.
The situation is most convenient, and an abundance of coke, sand, and limestone of superior quality in the neighbourhood ; added to which, its proximity to South Wales furnishes a ready supply of Iron of every kind.
For further particulars and to treat for the purchase apply to Messrs. Isaac Cooke and Sons, Solicitors, Bristol, at whose offices a ground plan of the whole premises may be seen.'[3]
c.1842 The Harford's iron business was severely damaged by defaults on credits in Maryland, USA, which led to the bankruptcy of Harford, Davies & Co. of Ebbw Vale.[4]
1843 Messrs Harford and Davies - the Ebbw Vale Co - failed with the prospect of making 2000 - 3000 workers redundant, which caused much concern locally[5].
1843 Bankruptcy proceedings against John Harford and William Weaver Davies, of the city of Bristol, and of Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy, in the county of Monmouth, Iron Masters, Iron Founders, and Iron Merchants, and Copartners, trading under the several styles or firms of Harford, Davies, and Company, Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy Iron Company, and Harford and Iron Foundry Company[6].