Thomas Dadford
Thomas Dadford, Senior (died
1809) was an
English canal engineer, as were his sons,
Thomas Dadford Junior,
John Dadford and
James Dadford.
He probably originated from Stewponey near
Stourbridge.
He started as one of
James Brindley's many pupil-assistants, in which capacity he worked on the
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and the
Birmingham Canal Navigations.
He was engineer and surveyor on the
Dudley Canal until
1783, and consulted by them later when they were extending through
Dudley Tunnel.
1774 - with
John Priddy he surveyed the
Stroudwater Canal 1776 - became engineer of the
Stourbridge Canal, but resigned in
1781.
1782 - with Thomas (Junior), he made recommendations for improvements to the
River Trent.
1784 - advised on the
Coventry Canal's aqueduct over the
River Tame.
1789 - cutting contractor on the
Cromford Canal.
In
1791, he became a
shareholder of the
Neath Canal.
The latter part of his career was spent in
Wales and the Borders, often working with his two sons. He worked on many canal projects, including the Neath and the Aberdare, in many of which he was also a shareholder.
Until
1794, with his son and
Thomas Sheasby, he was engineer and contractor on the
Glamorganshire Canal, until they had a row with the company and were
arrested for alleged overpayments. The matter was later resolved in their favour.
His last canal was the
Montgomeryshire, where he succeeded his son John as engineer in July
1797.
