John Downing was for many years ‘Clerk’ at the Cradley and later Hales Forge. He is known as the Grandfather of Rev John Downing, Rector of Enville (1690-1737), who in turn was the grandfather of Rev Harry Downing, the husband of Jemima Shaw. It is clear that he is not the ancestor of the Downings of Smethwick, who became wealthy Victorian Maltsters some 150 years later. It is likely though the families are related a little further back. Continue reading →

Richard Foley of Dudley died and left a will written 28 May 1600 and granted probate at Worcester not long after. He was probably baptized on 30 Jan 1547 in Rowley Regis. He was importantly the father of the wealthy ironmaster known as Richard ‘Fiddler’ Foley, latterly of Stourbridge. This son was a significant burgher in Dudley and was instrumental amongst his many good deeds, in resecuring the finances of Dudley Grammar School. It is the early relations with the Shaw family of Dudley that are of particular interest on these pages. Continue reading →