Thomas Assheton Smith

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Thomas Assheton Smith (1752-1828) was a landowner who played a major part in the development of the Welsh slate industry.

Smith was the son of Thomas Assheton of Ashley in Cheshire. He added "Smith" to his surname when he inherited the Vaynol and Tedworth estates from his uncle, William Smith. He was High Sherrif of Caernarfonshire in 1783-4 and Member of Parliament for the county from 1774 to 1780. In 1806 he was able to get Parliament to pass an act enclosing the common land of Llanddeiniolen parish, greatly adding to his land holdings. In 1809 he took over control of slate quarrying on his estate, forming a company of four under his presidency. The company was later dissolved and he took over sole control of the enterprise. By 1826 the Dinorwic Quarry was employing 800 men and producing 20,000 tons of slate per year. Assheton Smith developed Port Dinorwic (Y Felinheli) as a port for the export of the slates.

Assheton Smith married Elizabeth, daughter of Watkin Wynn of Foelas. He died at Tedworth in 1828, and the Vaynol estate was inherited by his second son, also named Thomas Assheton Smith (1776-1858).

[edit] References

• Dictionary of Welsh Biography