Biography of Thomas Botfield 1762-1843

On 14th February 1762 Thomas Botfield was born to Thomas Botfield (age 24) and Margaret Baker (age 32).

In 1790 Thomas Botfield (age 27) commissioned the construction of furnaces at Old Park. By 1815 Old Park was the largest iron works in Shropshire consisting of four blast furnaces, a forge and associated collieries. In 1830 a forge was built at Stirchley and in the next few years two blast furnaces were built in Dark Lane. He owned collieries on Titterstone Clee Hill, as well as several lime kilns there. There were also collieries at Hinksay in Shropshire and Mancott and Sandycroft in Flintshire. He also owned the three paper mills on Hopton Brook. The Upper and the Middle Mills Were near the Woodhouse, an the Lower Mill was in the village.

In 1792 Thomas Botfield (age 29) purchased Hopton Court, Shropshire.

In 1801 [his father] Thomas Botfield (age 63) died.

In 1803 [his mother] Margaret Baker (age 73) died.

In 1825 Thomas Botfield (age 62) had the old church at Hopton Wafers, Shropshire demolished and built the present St Michael and All Angels' Church, Hopton Wafers at his own expense.

On 17th January 1843 Thomas Botfield (age 80) died. He was buried at St Michael and All Angels' Church, Hopton Wafers where he and his wife have a fine monument by Edward Hodges Baily (age 54). His nephew Beriah Botfield (age 35) inherited a life interest in Hopton Court, Shropshire.

Before 22nd January 1843 Thomas Botfield (deceased) was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.