I am undertaking family research on my Newton ancestors. My Thomas Newton came originally from Yorkshire to Glasgow some tine at the turn of the 19th Century. He was an iron founder in Glasgow and I think the firm was called Newton Bennie & Co. James Bennie was an executor of Thomas' will.
In looking up the University Of Glasgow archives I found they had made a connection between Newton, Bennie and Newton, Chambers in Yorkshire. Seems to me there may be a connection both being iron founders.
I would love to know more about George Newton and his family to see if my Thomas was a brother or son. The 1841 census has a George and a Thomas ---are these the same ones that began Newton Chambers?
Look foward to hearing from someone.

May be wrong here, but do you mean Newt & Chambers, the pub in town that is now the Emporium?

No ,I meant the Newton, Chambers & Co - the old iron foundry begun by George Newton and Thomas Chambers.

Old photos:
http://www.picturesheffield.co.uk/database_search.php and stick 'newton' in the bottom field :thumbsup:

Great photos! Thanks.

No ,I meant the Newton, Chambers & Co - the old iron foundry begun by George Newton and Thomas Chambers.


Newton Chambers was a huge firm at Thorncliffe, between Chapeltown and High Green

Newton Chambers were formed as a partnership between George Newton (1761-1825) and Thomas Chambers (1771-1814) in 1792 with the establishment of the Phoenix Foundry in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Lands were acquired in 1793 at Thorncliffe, near Sheffield and 2 furnaces had been completed by 1796 and collieries acquired nearby to smelt ironstone.

By 1801, the company was established as smelters and ironfounders. Smelters were reorganised to concentrate on gas production and from 1825 to 1850, the supply of gas works equipment constituted the main business. A large manufacturing in tank construction and fabrication in steel and cast iron grew out of this development.

Business operations were extended and modernised from 1869 and coal output was boosted to 1 million tons per year. The company was incorporated as a limited liability company as Newton Chambers & Co Ltd in 1881 at about which time the cabonisation and distillation of coal was being pioneered.

Chemical works were established which produced ‘Izal’ disinfectants, insecticides, antiseptic soaps and cleaning fluids. The company had branches all over England, including London, Sheffield, Hull, Manchester, Rotherham and Liverpool by 1923. The family was still represented on the board of directors until the 1940s.

In 1945, the company became N C Thorncliffe Collieries Ltd. By this time, the company was operating 4 collieries at Rockingham, Thorncliffe, Smithy Wood and Grange with a combined output of 1 million tons of coal per year. The company’s collieries were nationalised in 1947 as part of the National Coal Board under the terms of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 but N C Thorncliffe continued as heavy, light and mobile engineers and chemical manufacturers. By 1977, the company had 19 subsidiary companies and 3,200 employees.

The 1841 census has a George and a Thomas - are these the same ones that began Newton Chambers?

Look foward to hearing from someone.

No - they died in 1825 and 1814 respectively.

Have a look at my website. I followed in my Fathers footsteps to work there.
My Site. (http://www.members.aol.com/syp99/index.html)

Check out this web site. http://www.chgarchive.co.uk/books.htm

An illustrated history to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Newton Chambers at Thorncliffe. 52 pages, A4 format, 50 illustrations in the form of maps, photographs and adverts.
Reduced to £2.00

ISBN 0 9513952 3 8 Compiled and edited by Joan & Mel Jones

Tuppie