"We do hereby acknowledge to have examined the several Accounts from which this Ballance of our Books is drawn from 31st December, 1767, to 1768, and we find there has been a profit of two thousand, one hundred and nine pounds, thirteen shillings and twopence, in that year upon our joint capital stock of Thirty thousand pounds, which is divided according to our respective shares, and carried to the crédit of our particular Accounts." "John Lockwood As Executors to Robert Morris, Esq., By order of Hester Gibbon, John Lockwood ... By order of Cutts Maydwell, John Lockwood....................... Edward Eliot “Balance Account of Copper Works Partnership, Anno 1768. We gradually find ourselves in the nineteenth century, but must nevertheless return to its predecessor; for the success of the early venturers on the western side of the Tawe evidently drew attention to the like suitability of the Foxhole district, at the foot of Kilvey on the eastern bank of the river, enriched as it was from the same Coal field. In chronological order, then, the establishment which falls next to be described is that called THE WHITE-ROCK' COPPER WORKS. Mr. Oldisworth, in 1802, in his Swansea Guide, says, "North-east of the canal is 'White Rock,' a hill, rendered barren by the sulphurous influence of the neighbouring Copper Works; this place was one of those which felt the shock of the great Earthquake on the 1st Nov., 1755." They were built on lands leased by the last Lord Mansell, in *The second son of Robert and the first Baronet of Clasemont, Glam. (1806.) 1746,* to Thomas Coster and partners, which matter I prefer to give when I come to speak of the 'Middle-Bank' Works, also situated on the banks of the Tawe, above though east of Swansea Town. 'The White Rock' Works eventually passed into the hands of the Messrs. Daniel and others, of Bristol, better known in the Trade as Messrs. Jno. Freeman and Copper Co. They also had Rolling and Battery Mills on the Avon, a few miles above Bristol, at the time when this Firm ceased to exist, Mr. Keates says; a partner of theirs, Mr Stanley Percevall, represented the firm in Liverpool, doubtless a descendant of the original holder named by Mr. Phillips in his dedication of the 'Prospect.' The Works were for a long series of years under the able management of Mr. Elias Jenkins, of Tyrgwl, Kylvey, who, indeed, was the resident partner down to the year 1850. After his death Mr Edward Brown became so till about the year 1853, when they were purchased by their great neighbours of 'Morfa and Hafod,' Messrs. Williams and Vivian, who still retain. them under a lease from the Earl of Jersey: Messrs. Vivian's portion having since been converted into a Silver-lead Works Notwithstanding the authorities of 1802 and 7, I am fortunate in being able to produce matter of much original interest, through finding a drawing in Indian ink by an artist of great skill, dated 1744, which I hereto annex for the information of my readers, which having the imprimatur of Mr. Phillips, may be accepted as most worthy evidence of the form and description that could be obtained of Copper Works of the past century. Dr. Malkin, writing in 1807, states that "about the year 1730, or not much sooner, the First Copper Works were erected on the eastern side of the river, and it was not till about 1760 anything additional took place." "To Messrs. Joseph Percevall and Company, this New Prospect ot your Copper Works at 'White-Rock,' (Swansey) is with all due respect inscribed by your obliged Friend and Servant, RICHARD PHILLIPS." AS COMPLETED AT FOOT OF KILVEY. SWANSEA. IN THE YEAR 1744. DRAWN BY THOMAS LIGHTFOOT. AND REPRODUCED IN AUTOTYPE A.D. 1881. |