George Haynes (businessman)
George Haynes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1745 Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, England |
| Died | 1830-01-02 |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, pottery manufacturer, banker, newspaper owner |
| Years active | 1780–1826 |
| Known for | Cambrian Pottery, banking in Swansea, ownership of The Cambrian newspaper |
George Haynes (1745–1830) was a notable British businessman, specializing in pottery manufacturing, banking, and newspaper ownership, primarily operating out of Swansea, Wales.
Early career
Born in 1745 into a Quaker family from Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, Haynes relocated as a young adult to Philadelphia, within the Quaker settlement of Pennsylvania. There, he established his career as a merchant. In 1780, he acquired shares in the Bank of Pennsylvania and also invested in the Bank of North America, where he briefly held a directorial position from 1782 until his return to Britain in 1783.
Cambrian Pottery
Upon his return to Swansea around 1786, Haynes joined the partnership at the Swansea Pottery. By 1790, he had assumed the role of managing partner, implementing modernizations influenced by Josiah Wedgwood’s Etruria factory and rebranding the enterprise as Cambrian Pottery. Under his direction, the firm prospered, producing superior quality porcelain—with Haynes likely being the sole expert in porcelain production in south Wales during that period. After John Coles passed away, Haynes became the exclusive owner trading under Haynes & Co. In 1802, William Dillwyn acquired the remaining lease and introduced his son Lewis Weston Dillwyn into the company. Despite ongoing management by Haynes, disagreements arose that led to his exit in 1810 to pursue other business interests.
Beginning around 1800, Haynes formed a banking partnership with Henry Pocklington in Swansea. Following Pocklington’s death in 1816, Haynes took over as senior partner and included his son George junior in the enterprise. Subsequent partners such as George Day and William Lawrence joined, with the bank functioning under the name Haynes, Day, Haynes & Lawrence and expanding operations to Llanelli as the Llanelly Bank. In 1820, Haynes established an additional banking institution in Neath alongside his sons George and William Woodward Haynes. The Swansea bank also acted as Treasurer for the Swansea Tontine, which was created in 1805 to fund the Theatre Royal and Assembly Rooms; Haynes served as both promoter and Secretary. By 1816, he held treasurer positions for several local educational and savings organizations.
Other interests
Haynes served as a trustee under the Swansea Harbour Act 1791 until at least 1825 and was an active committee member of the Swansea Canal from its inception in 1794 through 1822. He was engaged in canal trade through his involvement with the Brynmorgan colliery located in the Swansea Valley. His contributions to municipal development included improvements to paving, street lighting, and postal services within Swansea. Between 1803 and 1808, he held a captaincy in the Western Glamorgan Infantry Volunteers.
In 1803, Haynes spearheaded fundraising efforts for The Cambrian, which became Wales's first weekly newspaper upon its launch in 1804. He maintained ownership alongside his son George until they divested their shares in 1822.
Additionally, Haynes was instrumental in founding the Glamorgan Library (1804) and owned the Cambrian Brewery (1805), occasionally partnering with Henry Pocklington from his banking ventures. In 1810, he briefly operated a soap manufacturing facility near Cambrian Pottery; however, it was closed following legal action initiated by Dillwyn due to complaints about nuisances. Around 1813/14, Haynes assisted in establishing the Glamorgan Pottery as a competitor to Cambrian Pottery, although he never formally joined as a partner.
Later years
Circa 1803, Haynes acquired the Ynystanglws estate located in Clydach alongside the Swansea Canal, transforming it into a distinguished country residence. After his departure from Cambrian Pottery in 1810, he financed the construction of a neo-Gothic mansion accompanied by outbuildings, which may have been the work of architect William Jernegan.
The financial turmoil of 1825 had a profound effect on Haynes's final years. In December of that year, a bank run led to the insolvency of Haynes, Day, Haynes & Lawrence by January 1826; shortly thereafter, the Neath bank operated by Haynes and his son William Woodward Haynes also collapsed. Over the subsequent two years, various assets, including the Swansea brewery and household items from Clydach, were liquidated.
Haynes passed away at Clydach on 2 January 1830. His pivotal role in advancing Swansea’s industrial development and civic affairs—particularly through elevating the Pottery to national prominence—remains significant though often overlooked.