John Maberly

After originally joining his father in the family business, a large legacy in 1798 from his father-in-law enabled him to branch out on his own as a very successful military contractor, supplying uniforms to the Army.

In May 1816 he was elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom as MP for the Tory-sponsored seat of Rye.

Successful at first, by 1832 this business had also foundered as a result of a price war with the other Scottish banks and some large bad overseas debts.

The Broadford factory and Shirley Manor had to be sold and he was forced into bankruptcy, thereby having to relinquish his parliamentary seat.

He moved to Amiens, France, where he founded a large flax spinning mill in 1838, before he died on 6 October 1839.