| Administrative History | Alderwasley and Morley Park ironworks were established in the eighteenth century by members of the Hurt family. In 1811 the works were leased to John Mold (1776-1846) and Charles Mold (1782-1865), brothers from a Staffordshire family of ironmasters. There was a further lease, for 21 years, in 1839. In the years following the death of John Mold in 1846 disputes between Charles Mold and his children about their respective interests in the business led to various Chancery proceedings. Between 1862 and 1874 the Alderwasley ironworks were let to William Smith Longridge (1819-1877) and the site was subsequently occupied by the wireworks of Richard Johnson and Nephew. From 1863 the Morley Park ironworks were let first to Charles Cathrow Disney (1828-1868) and then to his brother Henry Cathrow Disney (1826-1896). The Morley Park site is believed to have fallen out use around 1875. |
| Administrative History Sources | - Philip Riden (1988) 'The Ironworks at Alderwasley and Morley Park', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal, Volume 108, pp. 77-107.
- Children's Employment Commission (1842), pp. 128-129, refers to Alderwasley Ironworks |
| Custodial History | These copies were made in December 1964. |