IA Genealogy

To help a friend in his researches, I have been compiling family trees of James Brindley, the early canal engineer, and his associates. Some of them are less known but other such as Robert Whitworth had successful careers of their own.

Many of them spent most of their working lives in the Midlands but what is also interesting, are the links with early canal engineering in America. A nephew of James Brindley,also confusingly called James, undertook canal work in Delaware and settled in America. Somewhat surprisingly one of his descendents was a Civil War hero.

Another English engineer spent time on American canals in the late 18th century with Brindley was WIilliam Weston, another associate of THE James Brindley. Its amazing how far 18th century engineers travelled in the most inclement weather and with the poorest of roads. It should be noted that James Brindley died after complications with diabetes and being soaked on one of his journeys on the Caldon Canal.

One of his descendents, albeit from an illegitimate child of his John Bennett, is the author (Enoch) Arnold Bennett whose books reflect the difficulties of life in the 19th century Potteries, far removed from his life on the French Riviera! PS Nearly forgot, those interested can check out my Brindley Group Family Tree at http://brindleygroup.tribalpages.com/tribe/browse?userid=brindleygroup&mmg=8348489141&switch=0&rand=407563368 Just click on the link