Sir Ambrose Crowley III (1 April 1657/8[1] – 17 October 1713) was a 17th-centuryEnglishironmonger and politician who was returned to theHouse of Commons in 1713.
Crowley was the son ofAmbrose Crowley II, a Quakerblacksmith inStourbridge, and Mary Hall and roseDick Whittington-style to becomeSheriff of London for 1706.
He wasknighted on 1 January 1706 by Queen Anne.
The Crowley Iron Works atWinlaton,Winlaton Mill andSwalwell, all inCounty Durham were probably at the time Europe's biggest industrial location. Later, as he was owed so much money by theBritish Government Ambrose became a director of theSouth Sea Company on its formation. Today he is still known for his enlightened management methods. His workers had an elected works committee, sickness payments, company medical team and were treated with respect. These rules were set out in the 'Rules of the Crowley Iron'. The main works at Winlaton Mill used mainly importediron. Both iron andsteel were worked by the Heyford process. Technologies and skills developed at Winlaton Mill lead to the foundation of theSheffield steel industry and the ability to machine steel. British iron production was carried out atYnyscedwyn inSouth Wales and in theWealden area of Southern England. The business survived into theVictorian era and the 'Crowley Crew' were renowned for their skills with metal and their steadfast and resolute defence of their rights and freedoms in the face of government intimidation.
In August 1713 he was electedMember of Parliament forAndover but died on 17 October.[2]
Ambrose married Mary Owen, daughter of Charles Owen. They had many children die young. His wife'smemorial lists seven children who died as infants. The children that lived to adulthood were as follows:
His direct descendants include:
Sir Ambrose was buried at SS Peter and Paul's Church atMitcham inSurrey where there is a monument with the following inscription:
NEAR THIS PLACE ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF SIR AMBROSE CROWLEY KNIGHT, CITIZEN AND ALDERMAN OF LONDON, WHOSE NUMEROUS FAMILY AND GREAT ESTATE WERE THE PRESENT REWARDS OF AN IDEFATIGABLE INDUSTRY AND APPLICATION TO BUSINESS, AN UNBLEMISHED PROBITY, AND A SINCERE BELIEF AND PRACTICE OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY, AND PARTICULARLY A BOUNDLESS LIBERALITY TOWARDS THE POOR, MANY HUNDREDS OF WHOM HE CONTINUALLY EMPLOYED.
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