Ambrose Crowley

Sir Ambrose Crowley III (1658-1713) was a 17th century English ironmaster.

Early years

He was the son of Ambrose Crowley II (and Mary Hall), a Quaker Blacksmith in Stourbridge but rose Dick Whittington-style to become High Sheriff of London and Sussex.

Career

The Crowley Iron Works at Winlaton in County Durham were probably, at the time, Europe's biggest industrial location and later, as he was owed so much money by the British Government, Ambrose became a director of The South Sea Company on its for,ation. Today, he is still known for his enlightened management methods. His workers had an elected works committee, sickness payments, company medical team and were treated with respect. These rules are set out in the 'Rules of the Crowley Iron'. The main works at Winlaton mainly used imported iron and both iron and steel were worked by the Heyford process. Technologies and skills developed at Winlaton were to lead to the foundation of the Sheffield steel industry and to the ability to machine steel. British iron production was carried out at Ynyscedwyn in South Wales and in the Wealden area of Southern England. The business survived into the Victorian era and the 'Crowley Crew' were renown for their skills with metal and their steadfast and resolute defence of their rights and freedoms in the face of government intimidation.

Family

Ambrose married Mary Owen, daughter of Charles Owen Esq. They had many children die young. His wife's memorial lists seven children who died as infants. The children that lived to adulthood were as follows: John Crowley who married Theodosia Gascoigne; Mary who married Sir James Hallett; Lettice married Sir John Hind Cotton, Baronet; Sarah married Humphry Parsons, Esq.; Anna married Richard Fleming, Esq.; and Elizabeth to the Right Hon. Lord St John of Bletsoe.

Burial

Sir Ambrose was buried at SS Peter and Paul's Church at Mitcham in Surrey where there is a monument with the following inscription:

"NEAR THIS PLACE ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF SIR AMBROSE CROWLEY KNIGHT, CITIZEN AND ALDERMAN OF LONDON, WHOSE NUMEROUS FAMILY AND GREAT ESTATE WERE THE PRESENT REWARDS OF AN IDEFATIGABLE INDUSTRY AND APPLICATION TO BUSINESS, AN UNBLEMISHED PROBITY, AND A SINCERE BELIEF AND PRACTICE OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY, AND PARTICULARLY A BOUNDLESS LIBERALITY TOWARDS THE POOR, MANY HUNDREDS OF WHOM HE CONTINUALLY EMPLOYED."

Further reading

* M. W. Flinn, "Men of Iron" (Edinburgh, 1962).