Edward Pease (1767-1858), woollen manufacturer and railway promoter.
1767 May 31st. Edward Pease was born in Darlington, a member of the locally prominent Pease family, and was educated locally and at a Quaker boarding school in Leeds.
1817 He was active in his family's wool business, but wanted to see a railway line that would link the collieries in County Durham with the port at Stockton-on-Tees and persuaded businessmen to back the plan.
His plan was approved by Parliament in 1821.
In 1823 Edward Pease joined with Michael Longridge, George Stephenson and his son Robert Stephenson, to form a company to make the locomotives. This was Robert Stephenson and Co at Forth Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and became the world's first locomotive builder
Pease had planned a horse-drawn railway until George Stephenson persuaded him to use his steam locomotive instead. The Stockton and Darlington Railway was opened on September 27, 1825 though due to the death of his son, Isaac, the day before Edward Pease did not attend the ceremony.
In 1829 Pease retired from the railway and his second son Joseph took over.
Edward Pease supported the Anti-Slavery movement and also supported Elizabeth Fry in her prison reform campaign.
He married Rachel Whitwell. Their children included John Pease (1797-1868), Joseph Pease (1799-1872), Isaac Pease (1805-1825), Rachel married Richard Fry ( -1853), Elizabeth married Gibson ( -1866) and Henry Pease (1807-1881).
1851 Edward Pease is living at Northgate, Darlington (age 83 and born at Darlington), a Landed Proprietor and a widower. Living with Rachel Fry (age 50) his daughter, a widow. Plus five servants. [1]
1857 A memorial for the first engine was opened but Edward was too infirm to attend. His sons Joseph and Henry were there. [2]
1858 July 31st. Edward Pease died age 92. He was at home at Northgate, Darlington. [3]
He was known locally as 'Owd Neddy'
See Also
Sources of Information
[1] Wikipedia