In the 1820s, they founded Pritchard and Hoof, who specialised in building canal tunnels, including some of the most important of the era.
[1][2] Pritchard and Hoof were the contractor for the construction of the reservoirs of the East London Waterworks at Lea Bridge from 1829-34.
When his eldest son James died, this became Hoof and Hill, working with Thomas and James Hill, where work included the "notoriously difficult" London-Croydon railway.
[1] On 11 August 1855, Hoof died at home, Madeley House, Kensington, London, of apoplexy.
He was survived by four of his children, Egmont, Alfred, Mary Ann and Fanny Elizabeth.