Peter Grubb, Jr. | |
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Born | September 8, 1740 Pennsylvania |
Died | January 17, 1786 Cornwall, Pennsylvania |
Occupation | Businessman & Ironmaster |
Known for | Co-owner of Cornwall Ironworks and operator of Hopewell Forges |
Title | Colonel, 8th Lancaster Battalion |
Spouse(s) | Mary Shippen Burd (married 1771 - died 1774) |
Partner(s) |
Susan Brandelbury (c. 1768) Hannah Bellarby Grubb (1774) |
Children | three sons, one daughter |
Parent(s) | Peter Grubb, Martha Bates |
Relatives |
Curtis Grubb (brother), Nathaniel Grubb (uncle) |
Susan Brandelbury (c. 1768)
Curtis Grubb (brother),
Peter Grubb, Jr. (1740–1786), Patriot and second son of Peter and Martha Bates Grubb, was a second-generation member of the Grubb Family Iron Dynasty along with his older brother Curtis Grubb. They operated the Cornwall Ironworks, making significant contributions to the American Revolutionary War effort.
The brothers inherited the ironworks from their father in 1754, with Peter, as the youngest, receiving only a one-third interest. They took over operation of the ironworks about 1765 and expanded it successfully. Peter, who had more ironmaking experience, took over the nearby Hopewell Forges, making bar iron from pig iron produced by Curtis at Cornwall Furnace. They operated the business through and after the Revolution, becoming quite prosperous until they died, Peter in 1786 and Curtis in 1789.
Most of the Cornwall Ironworks fell out of family hands during the period 1783 - 1802, to Robert Coleman who became Pennsylvania's first millionaire. But a portion remained with Peter Jr.'s heirs, who added to it to become major Pennsylvania producers of iron in the mid-19th century, operating out of Mount Hope Estate.
The Grubb brothers were major contributors to the Revolutionary War effort, their Cornwall Ironworks supplied cannon, ammunition, shot and saltpans (used to make salt from seawater) to the Colonial forces. George Washington personally visited Cornwall to inspect the facility. Both brothers were elected as militia colonels, Peter's unit was the 8th Lancaster Battalion and Curtis' was the 2nd Lancaster Battalion, both assigned to the Flying Camp.