Hickman Steels International Ltd ™    





 

Abraham Darby III (1750-89)

Abraham Darby III was born in Dale House in 1750 and is best remembered for his involvement with building the Iron Bridge.
In 1785 the Society of Arts' awarded him its Gold medal, 'sensible of the magnitude and importance of this bridge'.

Abraham entered the works at the age of 18 and under his management the company underwent further expansion.
He took over the Bedlam Furnaces, built a new ironworks at Donnington Wood, enlarged the Coalbrookdale furnace, built new forges at Horsehay and Ketley, and worked farms at Madeley, Sunnyside and the Hay.

Abraham III married Rebecca Smith in 1776 and they moved into Dale House which had been substantially altered and renovated before their marriage.
They lived there until 1780 when they moved to the Hay Farm. Abraham III died of scarlet fever in 1789 aged 39.