James Spooner (Person)
| James Spooner | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1790 Powick, Worcestershire |
| Died |
1856 Portmadoc |
| Occupation | Surveyor, Engineer, Railway manager |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Easton |
| FR People | WHR People | |
James Spooner was a surveyor and engineer largely responsible for the building of the Ffestiniog Railway and its development over the first 20 years.
Early life[edit]
Spooner was born in 1790 in Powick, Worcestershire and was married to Elizabeth Easton on 30 August 1813 and. He was a surveyor, almost certainly employed by the Ordnance Survey, when he first came to North Wales. The Spooners lived in Maentwrog between 1818 and 1824 when they moved to William Madocks' former home, Tanyallt, later moving to Morfa Lodge, Portmadoc.
Involvement with the Festiniog Railway[edit]
Spooner twice surveyed a route to Portmadoc. The first, in 1825, largely followed that of the later Croesor Tramway, serving the mines on the western slopes of Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach by means of three inclines.
His later survey of 1830-31 established the route of the Festiniog Railway as built (1832-36). A somewhat similar route had previously also been surveyed by W.A.Provis in 1824-5.
Spooner oversaw the construction of the line, following the successful Act of 1832, though as he had not trained as a civil engineer the Company employed Thomas Prichard to assist. Prichard had worked with the Stephensons on the building of the Chester & Holyhead and was well qualified for the task.
After the railway opened, he became the manager; from 1844 until his death in 1856 he was a paid officer of the Festiniog Railway Company. During the 1850s he instigated the process of upgrading the permanent way in anticipation of his ambition to employ steam locomotives. The second Double Fairlie to be built for the FR was later named after him.
It appears that from 1835, around the time of the death of W.G. Oakeley, until around his own death, he also acted as Quarry Agent and Engineer to Mrs Oakeley.
Children and final years[edit]
James and Elizabeth had ten children, a number of whom would go on to be connected with local railways.
- Matthew, (1814-1834), the eldest, was unconnected with railways and died in France.
- James Swinton, (1816-1884), became an engineer. He left N. Wales in 1851 and spent some time in the Antipodes before returning to survey the route of the Tal-y-llyn Railway.
- Caroline, (1817-1829), accidently shot dead by Matthew
- Charles Easton , 1818-1889, trained as a civil engineer under his father and Thomas Prichard during the construction of the FR. Took over as FR Co. Secretary when his father died.
- Louisa Matilda, (1820-1886), Did not marry. Lived with Charles Easton after his wife died.
- Thomas John, (1822-1881), was a lawyer and did much legal work for the FR especially land transfer. Apparently he was not a very good lawyer and lost of lot of the family money through his incompetence. Married Elizabeth Fenton French.
- Amelia Spooner (Amy), (1824-1922), Did not marry
- Elizabeth, (1827-1912), married Karl E. Rother
- Harriet, (1830-1914), married Edmund Spenser Tiddeman. One of their daughters (thought to be probably Nora, the youngest) was involved in the Spooner Boat accident.
- William, (1834-1870), Married Elizabeth Gregory
His wife Elizabeth died in 1850 and he married Eliza James the same year. This was not a popular move with his children. When he died she took everything and left despite his will clearly stating that his estate was only her's for her lifetime and eventually was to pass equally to his children. Perhaps his mistake was making her the executor.
He died in Portmadoc on 18 August 1856. He is buried in the churchyard of St Cynhaearn, Ynyscynhaearn, Pentrefelin.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- The Spooner Album
- Dan Wilson article in FRM 77