ature found expression in a controversial
pamphlet attacking the Primitive Methodists, "John Wesley, the Papa of
British Rome, and Philip Pugh, the modern Pelagius, weighed in the
Balance of Eternal Truth and found wanting" (Willenhall, printed and
published by W. H. Hughes, 1852). The Rev. Philip Pugh was located at
Darlaston, and made a gallant defence on behalf of his co-religionists;
the Primitive Methodists of Willenhall acknowledging these services by
presenting him with a handsome testimonial. The pamphlets containing his
rejoinders bear the imprint of Stephen Hackett, Willenhall. Mr. Cozens
died in Tasmania some years later.

The "Memoirs of G. B. Thorneycroft," written by the Rev. J. B. Owen, and
published (Wolverhampton: T. Simpson) in 1856, contain local allusions of
minor interest. The subject of the memoir was the well-known South
Staffordshire ironmaster, who in the earlier part of his commercial
career had some works near the Waterglade, on the Bilston Road.

George Benjamin Thorneycroft, was born August 20th, 1791, at Tipton,
where his grandfather kept the Three Furnaces Inn. His biographer claims
his descent from the Thornicrofts of Cheshire. In his youth he was
employed at Kirkstall Forge, near Leeds, returning to Staffordshire in
1809 to work at the Moorcroft Ironworks at Bradley, near Bilston, where,
by his skill and industry he ultimately rose to the management.

It was in 1817 he founded a small ironwork at Willenhall, and seven years
later joined his twin brother, Edward Thorneycroft, in establishing the
Shrubbery Ironworks at Wolverhampton. The rise of the railways at that
period, and the consequent larger demands for iron and steel, were among
the causes which led to his great prosperity as an ironmaster.

His Willenhall residence was on the site now occupied by the Metropolitan
Bank, in the Market Place: while his works, this first this iron magnate
owned, were located near what is now known as Forge Yard, Waterglade
Street. It was in this house his son, Colonel Thorneycroft, of
Tettenhall Towers, was born.

[Picture: Neptune Inn]

His prominence as a public man may be estimated by the fact that when
Wolverhampton was incorporated in 1848, Mr. Thorneycroft was selected for
the honour of being first Mayor of the new borough. He was at all times
a generous supporter of every local charity and benevolent institution,
till the old quotation came to be fitted