Robert Morgan

Robert Morgan (1707 – 1777) was an ironmaster and tinplate manufacturer in Carmarthen, South Wales, and the surrounding area. He owned the Carmarthen furnace, as well as forges at Kidwelly, Whitland and Cwmdwyfran.

Early life Morgan was born in Kidwelly in 1707.

Career

Cwmdwyfran Ironworks Robert Morgan founded Cwmdwyfran Ironworks before 1740. It is located on the River Gwili to the northeast of Carmarthen. The works were fueled by charcoal from timber from the Cwmdwyfran area. The annual production of the forge was 100–200 tons of bar-iron. Robert's sons ran the ironworks after his death, leasing the forge to Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Smith, until its closure in 1830.

Kidwelly Iron and Tin Works

An ironworks was built in Kidwelly at the end of the 17th Century, including a blast furnace. It was owned by Henry Owen in 1720 and not very prolific. Robert Morgan bought the forge in 1748. His success at this forge led to him establishing the Carmarthen ironworks. In 1750, the forge produced 100 tons of bar-iron.

The works were rebuilt a few years later to also manufacture tinplates. The site was powered by a water-wheel working a large pair of bellows,

In 1757, Robert Morgan produced guns and shot for the Seven Years' War, but, by 1759, he was back to primarily producing iron for tin-plate. In 1826, they moved the tin production to Aberavon.

An iron bell produced by the Carmarthen Iron and Tin Works in 1802 is in the Carmarthenshire County Museum.

Other endeavours In 1747, Morgan leased land in Llanelli to mine coal, which was taken to Carmarthen.

Personal life Morgan lived in Kidwelly, He had three sons: Robert (1738), John (1739–1805) and Charles (1743–87), and died in 1777.