James Oakes (1816-1868)
1816 Born in Riddings, son of James Oakes and his wife Sarah[1]
1847 James Oakes uncovered a pool of black oil at the Riddings Colliery, a discovery which he exploited. He went on to generate some 300 gallons per week for a few years at least. Oakes reported the finding to his relative Lord Playfair, who in turn suggested to a scientist friend in Scotland, James Young, that he should analyse and refine this interesting natural commodity
1851 James Oakes 35, County magistrate, Ironmaster and landowner, S Oakes 62, S A Oakes 35, T H Oakes 31, Ironmaster and landowner, C H Oakes 25, Ironmaster and landowner, and his sister M E Playfair 29, wife of Professor Playfair, J A Playfair 3, G J Playfair 2[2]
1861 James Oakes 45, magistrate, land proprietor, iron master and coal owner, lived in Alfreton with Marian Oakes 40, Thos Haden Oakes 41, Land proprietor, coal owner and iron master, Sarah Ann Oakes 46[3]
1868 Died at Riddings[4]
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] NEDIAS newsletter #8