I wonder if anyone has come across references to a Captain Thomas
Whitmore from the 17th Century?. In 1637 he took out two patents,
one (jointly with a Filibert Vernatt) for the production of iron
using coal and another for converting iron into copper wire (!). He
and Vernatt struck a deal with Charles 1 to supply the crown with
their iron and they were interested in using abandoned iron works in
the Forest of Dean for its production. Also in 1637 Whitmore tried to
get a lease of abandoned copper mines in Cumberland.
I have picked up a couple of references to Whitmore in Rees, Industry
before the Industrial Revolution, and there are also references to
him in the published catalogues of State papers (still going through
these). I am particularly interested in finding out if he was the
same man as Thomas Whitmore of Apley, Shropshire, 1612-1653(?). I
would be interested in any information.
Thanks
David Poyner
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