Sir Nigel Gresley, 6th Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Nigel Gresley
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Sir Nigel Gresley by Henry Pickering
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| Born | 11 January 1726 Drakelow Hall, Derbyshire
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| Died | 7 April 1787 |
| Burial place | Bath Abbey |
| Known for | Sir Nigel Gresley's Canal |
Sir Nigel Gresley, 6th Baronet (born January 11, 1726 – died April 7, 1787) was an important English landowner. He also owned mines and built canals. He was part of the Gresley family from Staffordshire.
When he was young, Nigel joined the Royal Naval Academy. He worked in the Royal Navy for eight years. He became a lieutenant. But he had to leave because of health problems. In 1753, he became a baronet after his brother passed away. This meant he owned large estates at Drakelow and Knypersley. He also owned several mines at Apedale. In 1775, he got special permission from Parliament to build Sir Nigel Gresley's Canal. This canal was finished in 1776. It gave him control over coal sales in Newcastle-under-Lyme for 42 years. He died in Bath, Somerset, in 1787.
Contents
Nigel Gresley was born on January 11, 1726. His birthplace was Drakelow Hall. His father was Sir Thomas Gresley, 4th Baronet. His family was very old and important in Staffordshire. They had one of the oldest baronet titles in England.
Nigel started at the Royal Naval Academy in 1740. He stayed there until 1744. He continued to serve in the Royal Navy. By 1746, he was on a ship called HMS Bridgewater. This ship was used to hold prisoners. It was located in the Firth of Forth.
Bridgewater carried a famous rebel named Flora MacDonald to London. She was involved in a rebellion from 1745. Nigel was kind to her during her journey. As a thank you, she gave him a portrait of herself. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1748. He then served on another ship, HMS Inverness. He left the Royal Navy later that year. He did not serve again because of health issues.
Becoming a Landowner
Nigel's older brother, Sir Thomas Gresley, 5th Baronet, died in 1753. He passed away from smallpox. Nigel then became the 6th Baronet. He inherited the family estates. These included Drakelow in Derbyshire. He also inherited Knypersley Hall in Biddulph, Staffordshire.
Nigel lived at Knypersley because Drakelow was used by another family member. In 1759, he became the High Sheriff of Staffordshire. This was an important local role. In 1765, he moved his family to Worcester. This move helped his children get a better education. It also helped him manage some debts. He later sold Knypersley in 1767 to help with his money problems.
Building the Canal
Sir Nigel Gresley owned mines in Apedale, Staffordshire. He hired a famous engineer named James Brindley. In 1752, Brindley built a water engine for his mines. This engine helped drain water from the mines.
In 1775, a special law was passed by Parliament. This law allowed Sir Nigel and his son to build a private canal. The canal went from Apedale to Newcastle-under-Lyme. This made it easier to move coal and iron from his mines. The canal opened in 1776. It was called Sir Nigel Gresley's Canal.
The new law gave Sir Nigel control over coal sales in Newcastle. For 42 years, most coal sold there had to come from his mines. This was a very profitable project for him. It also helped the local people. The price of coal stayed the same for many years.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir Nigel Gresley moved to Bath for health reasons. He died there on April 7, 1787. He was buried in Bath Abbey. A writer named Philip Thicknesse praised him after his death. He said Nigel was a kind husband and a good friend. He was also brave and fair.
There is a plaque in Bath Abbey that remembers him. A pub in Alsagers Bank is also named after him. It is called The Gresley Arms.
Family
Sir Nigel Gresley married his cousin, Elizabeth Wynn. They got married on May 18, 1752. They had one son and seven daughters:
- Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley, 7th Baronet (born 1753 – died 1808)
- Dorothy Gresley (born 1754 – died 1755)
- Anne Heathcote (born 1755 – died 1797), who married Sir John Edensor Heathcote
- Elizabeth Gresley (born 1756 – died 1839)
- Frances Gresley (born 1757 – died 1836)
- Louisa Jane Gresley (born 1759 – died 1806)
- Harriet Jelly (born 1761 – died 1832)
- Mary Susanna Proby (born 1762 – died 1820)
