Beecroft, Butler and Co
of Kirkstall Forge, near Leeds
Founded in 1779 by the Butler and Beecroft families.
Presumably connected with Beecroft and Heath of same address
1824 They established a branch warehouse in Bradford which later became Cordingley, Armstrong and Co.
1841 The census shows a number of families at Kirkstall Forge including those of John Brooke, Joseph Tordoff, Henry Clough, George Blythe, Samuel Scott, John Beech, William Bywater, John Binnie, Joseph Taylor, William Adams, Ann Butler, George Beecroft, Mary Beecroft, William Brooke, William Leedham, Thomas Lea, George Blythe, Thomas Firth, Thomas Balmforth, Joseph Ormond, George Wright, Mark Smith, James Elliker, John Davis, Edward Chapman, Mary Speight, Sarah Allan, William Birkhead, John Bonell, John Barrett, Barnaby Ripley, James Adams, Robert Gilham, Samuel Speight, William Adams, William Roundell, William Davis, Robert Leuty, William Balmforth and Jonathan Barrett. More than 200 persons listed as living at Kirkstall Forge.
1841 "NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership between the executors of George Beecroft, deceased, and Ann Butler, Thomas Butler, George Skirrow Beecroft, John Octavius Butler, and Ambrose Edmund Butler, all of Kirkstall-forge, in the parish of Leeds, in the county of York, in the business of Ironmasters, was dissolved, so far as regards the said Ann Butler, on the 1st day of October last past"[1]
1841 The Butler brothers John Octavius, Thomas and Ambrose entered into a partnership with their cousin George Skirrow Beecroft, late J.P. for Leeds, at the old ironworks at Kirkstall Forge.
1844 John Johnson, formerly of West-street, Leeds, Patent Axletree Maker, then of Kirkstall, near Leeds, Manager to Messrs. Beecroft, Butler, and Co. Iron Founders and a Patent Axletree Maker, at West-street, Leeds, then of Kirkstall aforesaid, Manager as aforesaid, then out of business, and late of Wellington-street, Leeds, in Lodgings, out of business.[2]
1850 Beam engine driving scoop wheel for land drainage, at Flood’s Ferry pumping station. Engine fitted with Varlay’s patent double-action eccentric motion.[3]
1851 Award at the 1851 Great Exhibition. See details at 1851 Great Exhibition: Reports of the Juries: Class V.
1853 'Dock Committee.— The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held on Thursday, Mr. Turner presiding. On the recommendation the sub-conmittee of works, the committee accepted the tender of Messrs. Beecroft, Butler, and Co of the Kirkstall iron works, near Leeds, to supply and fit up five iron swing bridges over the entrance and communications of the intended new docks at Wapping.' (Liverpool)[4]
1858 Changed name to Kirkstall Forge Co