Sir Jeremiah Homfray was an 18th-century ironmaster, best known for mineral developments in South Wales for and starting the Ebbw Vale ironworks.
Background
The third son of Francis Homfray of Stourton Castle, joint owner with his younger brothers of the Penydarren Ironworks. On the death of his father, he was made co-owner and joint Managing Director of the ironworks with his brother Samuel Homfray, Member of Parliament, of Coworth Park, Berkshire. In 1787 he married Mary, the daughter of John Richards of Llandaff, and after this for many years resided at Llandaff House.
Career
In 1789, Walter Watkins was the owner of a forge at the Clydach Ironworks in Glangrwney, Clydach Vale near Crickhowell, which lacked an adequate supply of pig iron. Situated on the northern tip of the South Wales coalfield, with iron ore obtainable from patch working, and located next to the Ebbw fawr river, they had easy access to the basic iron making materials: coal and iron ore locally mined, plus water and power from the river. Limestone was to be transported by mule train from Llanelly Hill in Blaenavon.
The partnership erected a single blast furnace and casting shop against the hillside, which created an output of 25 tons of pig iron per week.
They subsequently employed him as the salaried superintendent of the works, which he undertook until 1799. In 1800, he began to develop the business scheme format in which he would become best known: speculating by taking mineral leases on plots of land.
Making tests drillings to prove the riches below, often with engineering partner Birch. And then seeking development partners or selling onwards for a profit.
Using this form, in 1800 he leased initial lands at Abernant in the Aberdare Valley, and then further leases of mineral rights at additional land in Abernant, Cwmbach, and Rhigos.
These were then all sold as a package to the Tappendens. Monies from this sale allowed him to buy into the Hirwaun Ironworks, but he soon quit this project to go back to mineral lease speculation. By 1813, he had accumulated holdings that included: £2,500 annuity from Penydarren.
£120 annunity from the Abernant Ironworks.
Numerous mineral leases in most of the South Wales valleys. And various farm leases in preparation for test drilling for minerals.
In 1810 he been appointed for a year, and his resultant extensive entertainment expenditure plus a large family placed extreme stress on his finances. In November 1813, Sir Jeremiah Homfray "of Cwm Rhondda, coal-merchant, dealer, and chapman" was declared bankrupt.
Ordered to sell his house and its contents, the family left for Boulogne, France to avoid paying all of his creditors and enable them to live on his reduced income.