Thomas Dadford Sr. (died 1809) was an English

canal engineer A canal engineer is a civil engineer responsible for planning (architectural and otherwise) related to the construction of a canal. Canal engineers include: China * Yu the Great (c.2200BCE-c.2100BCE), first Dynast of China, founder of the f ...

as were his sons,

Thomas Dadford Jr. Thomas Dadford Jr. (ca. 1761 to 1801) was an English canal engineer, who came from a family of canal engineers. He first worked with his father in the north of Britain on the Stour and the Trent, but later independently, contributing to a number ...

, John Dadford, and James Dadford.

Biography

Thomas Dadford probably originated from Stewponey or Stourton, Staffordshire, near Stourbridge. He started as one of James Brindley's many pupil-assistants, in which capacity he worked on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and the Birmingham Canal Navigations. He was engineer and surveyor on the Dudley Canal until 1783, and consulted by them later when they were extending through Dudley Tunnel. *1774 – with

John Priddy John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

he surveyed the

Stroudwater Canal The Stroudwater Navigation is a canal in Gloucestershire, England which linked Stroud to the River Severn. It was authorised in 1776, although part had already been built, as the proprietors believed that an Act of Parliament obtained in 173 ...

*1782 – with Thomas (Junior), he made recommendations for improvements to the

River Trent The Trent is the third-longest river in the United Kingdom. Its source is in Staffordshire, on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through and drains the North Midlands. The river is known for dramatic flooding after storms and ...

. *1784 – advised on the Coventry Canal's aqueduct over the River Tame. *1789 – cutting contractor on the Cromford Canal. *1791, he became a

shareholder A shareholder (in the United States often referred to as stockholder) of a corporation is an individual or legal entity (such as another corporation, a body politic, a trust or partnership) that is registered by the corporation as the legal ...

of the Neath Canal. The latter part of his career was spent in Monmouthshire, Glamorganshire, and Montgomeryshire, for example on the

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal ( cy, Camlas Sir Fynwy a Brycheiniog) is a small network of canals in South Wales. For most of its currently (2018) navigable length it runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park, and its present rural ...

in the early 1790s, often working with his two sons. He worked on many canal projects, including the Neath and the Aberdare, in many of which he was also a shareholder. Until 1794, with his son and Thomas Sheasby, he was engineer and contractor on the

Glamorganshire Canal The Glamorganshire Canal in South Wales, UK, was begun in 1790. It ran along the valley of the River Taff from Merthyr Tydfil to the sea at Cardiff. The final section of canal was closed in 1951. History Construction started in 1790; being wa ...

, until they had a row with the company and were arrested for alleged overpayments. The matter was later resolved in their favour and they were exonerated. His last canal was the

Montgomeryshire , HQ= Montgomery , Government= Montgomeryshire County Council (1889–1974)Montgomeryshire District Council (1974–1996) , Origin= , Status= , Start= , End= ...

, where he succeeded his son John as engineer in July 1797.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dadford, Thomas Sr. 1809 deaths English canal engineers People from South Staffordshire District Year of birth missing

Biography

See also

References