Philip Foley facts for kids

Philip Foley (born May 12, 1648 – died December 1716) was an important businessman in England. He was the youngest of three sons of a famous ironmaker named Thomas Foley. When Philip was about 20 years old, his father gave him all his ironworks in the Midlands region of England. He also received a large estate near Stourbridge when he got married, and he later added more land to it.

Running Iron Businesses

Philip took over his father's ironworks, but he found they weren't making as much money as before. So, starting in 1674, he began to sell some of them. One group of these businesses was bought by Sir Clement Clerke. Eventually, Philip sold the last of his original ironworks to two of his managers, John Wheeler and Richard Avenant. These managers also took over some of Sir Clement Clerke's ironworks that came back to Philip.

Successful Partnerships

John Wheeler and Richard Avenant were very good at running a smaller iron business. They even leased (rented) blast furnaces in the Forest of Dean from Philip's brother, Paul. In 1692, Philip joined Wheeler and Avenant as a partner in their successful business. He remained a partner for the rest of his life. After he passed away, his family sold their share in the company.

This business made high-quality pig iron. This iron was sent up the River Severn to be sold from a warehouse in Bewdley. It also supplied the company's own forges, like Wilden Forge on the River Stour. In 1705, John Wheeler retired, and William Rea took over his role. The company then gave up its remaining ironworks in the Stour valley.

Other Iron Ventures

Another iron-making business became available when Philip's uncle, Henry Glover, died in 1689. This business was given to John Wheeler. However, in 1695, Philip and John decided that Philip had actually been a secret partner in it since 1689. This was likely kept quiet earlier because Philip was one of the people in charge of Glover's will.

This business included Mearheath Furnace and Consall and Oakamoor Forges. More ironworks were added, including some in the east Midlands. These included Staveley Furnace and Forge and Carburton Forge. However, these were only used from 1695 to 1698 before being handed over to ironmakers from Yorkshire. They also invested in ironworks in Cheshire to help get a steady supply of pig iron. The businesses in Staffordshire and Cheshire joined together in 1708, but Philip likely sold his share soon after 1710.

Political Career

Philip was also involved in politics as a Member of Parliament. This meant he was elected by people to represent them in the country's government. He was first elected for Bewdley in 1679. Later, he was elected for Stafford in 1689 and 1695, and for Droitwich in 1690 and 1701.

At one point, five members of the Foley family were in the House of Commons (a part of the British Parliament) at the same time! These included Philip, his brothers Thomas and Paul Foley, and two of their nephews, both named Thomas. One of these nephews later became Lord Foley. The Foley family belonged to a political group called the Country Whigs. Their brother-in-law, Robert Harley, was also part of this group.

Religious Beliefs

Like most of his family, Philip was a Presbyterian. This is a type of Christian faith. Even though he was Presbyterian, he sometimes attended services at the Church of England. He hired several religious leaders for his home, and these leaders helped start Presbyterian churches in towns nearby.

Family Life

Philip married Penelope, who was the daughter of William Paget, 5th Baron Paget. Their oldest son was Paul Foley of Prestwood (who died on November 27, 1739). Paul married Elizabeth Turton. They had two sons, William (born May 17, 1710) and Philip (born June 4, 1711), and three older daughters. One of their daughters, Elizabeth (born November 3, 1707), married John Hodgetts. Their only child, Eliza Maria Foley Hodgetts, married her distant cousin, Hon Edward Foley. The Prestwood estate stayed in the family through this line.

Paul's daughter, Penelope, married Charles Howard. Their daughter, Mary Howard, married Dr. Erasmus Darwin. Through them, Philip Foley became the great-great-grandfather of the famous scientist Charles Darwin.