Bradley, John, & Co

Notes:

Traced origins to c1800 when established by John Bradley, 1769-1816, as an iron production, rolling and slitting business. Joined by his half brother, James Foster, by 1807 and he fully controlled the business after 1816. Developed into a major iron production and coal mining business centred on Stourbridge with interests in Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, notably at Stourbridge, Eardinton Forge (near Bridgenorth), Kingswinton and Hampton Loade. Briefly established an unsuccessful tinplate works at Hampton Loade, 1822-26. Traded throughout as John Bradley & Co. A connection was Foster, Rastrick & Co, foundry operators and engineers, who made wide range of foundry products plus locomotives and which closed in 1831. Output peaked around 1860s and thereafter plant and collieries were disposed of. At the end, remaining collieries were sold to Guy Pitt & Co and the ironworks were disposed of to Edward J Taylor Ltd in 1919 and continued as John Bradley & Co (Stourbridge) Ltd