When Francis retired from this firm, he and his second son Thomas Lea set up a worsted spinning business in Callows Lane, Kidderminster.
In 1831 George formed the firm of Butcher, Worth and Holmes to manufacture carpets.
[1] Lea was chosen as the Liberal candidate for Kidderminster in 1868, only 27 years old, and won by a large margin.
[2] While in Ireland, Lea expressed hostility to the Irish language; he proposed an amendment to the draft of the second Home Rule Bill that would have prevented the passing of laws which would increase Irish language use in state schools, legal courts and other public spheres.
The eldest son, Sir Thomas Sydney Lea (1867-1946) succeeded as baronet, and was a barrister.