John Roby (1817-1884)
John Roby (1817-1884), founder of John Roby Ltd
1817 John Roby was born on December 27th in Prescot, Lancashire. His parents were Thomas Roby (an under looker in the mines) and his wife Elizabeth. He was the sixth of ten children, eight of whom survived into adulthood, and was baptised at St Mary’s Church, Prescot on February 8th 1818.
1832 He was apprenticed to Ambrose Stephens Green (formerly of Birmingham) for six years from December 27th signing the apprenticeship agreement himself.
1838 He completed his apprenticeship on December 27th receiving this recommendation: ‘John Roby has completed his apprenticeship with me as a caster in brass. He is sober and honest. He has been with me about 9 years.’
1851 John Roby married Mary Spruce, daughter of David Spruce of Daresbury (a stonemason) on January 26th in Birkenhead.
While living in Prescot they had 4 children: Helen Elizabeth born in 1851, Anne in 1853, Eliza in 1855 and
1856 Birth of son John David Roby
1859 Birth of son Thomas Spruce Roby followed by Mary Roby in 1862,
1865 Birth of son William Henry Roby
1867 Birth of son Albert Wallace Roby
1871 Living at Roby's Row, Rainhill Ironworks, Lancs: John Roby (age 53 born Prescot), Brassfounder. With his wife Mary Roby (age 46 born Cheshire and their eight children; Ellen E. Roby (age 20 born Prescot), Annie Roby (age 18 born Prescot), Eliza Roby (age 16 born Prescot), John D. Roby (age 14 born Prescot), Thomas S. Roby (age 11 Born Rainhill), Mary Roby (age 9 Born Rainhill), William H. Roby (age 6 Born Rainhill), and Albert W. Roby (age 4 Born Rainhill).[1]
1884 John Roby died on July 15th aged 66. 'Early on Tuesday morning Mr. John Roby, brassfounder, died at his residence at Rain. hill. The deceased gentleman, who was a self-made man, was born at Prescot, but for many years carried on, at Rainhill, an extensive business as brassfounder, employing a large number of workmen. His liberality was well known, although unostentatious. The funeral took place yesterday at Rainhill Church, when a large circle of friends gathered to pity the last respect to the departed.'[2]
A few days after his death another Foundry owner, George Tweedy of Chipping, Lancashire, wrote to the family that he had lost a friend who ‘although outspoken and abrupt… was always faithful and true’. John Roby was interred in the family vault at St Ann’s Church, Rainhill on July 18th. His will was proved on August 19th and his personal estate (comprising his business and freehold properties) was valued at £15550 2s 4 1/2d and left in trust for his wife and children.
From modest beginnings John Roby left a well established business strategically placed for the next generation of Directors to consolidate and expand their trade with shipping companies worldwide and to be drawn into the many maritime developments of the twentieth century. The company was to continue trading for almost another century before changes in shipbuilding and global transport lead to its decline.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Sources St Helens Archive Service where most of the records relating to the Roby Foundry (from the 1840s onwards) are held (reference RO/Roby Collection) National Museums Liverpool: Maritime Archives B/ROB/1/1-4