Benjamin Hall and the Union Iron Works

Benjamin Hall was a prominent figure who left a rich legacy in industrial and political developments in early 19th-century Wales. He was particularly well known initially for his involvement with the Union Iron Works at Rhymney, and then as a politician. 

Named after its location on the boundary of the three counties of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Breconshire, the Union Iron Works opened in 1801, starting the industrial history and development of Rhymney. 

Remnants of the original furnaces can still just about be seen in the field just down from the Rhymney House Hotel - known at one time as the Three Counties - which was built as the iron works manager’s house shortly afterwards. 

The initial venture struggled with its original owners dissolving their company in November 1803. Richard Crawshay, the owner of the famous Cyfarthfa Ironworks in nearby Merthyr Tydfil, purchased the works. In addition to Watkin George and one of the original owners, Richard Cunningham, Crawshay appointed his son-in-law, Benjamin Hall as a partner.  Born in 1778, Hall was educated in law at Oxford and married Charlotte, Richard Crawshay’s younger daughter in 1801. 

There was a bitter legal dispute between Cunningham and Crawshay over the financial affairs of the Company with allegedly dirty tricks by Crawshay. However, initially managed by Richard Johnson, the works played a key role in the area’s industrial development. 

New furnaces to supply Crawshay's forges and mills at Cyfarthfa were constructed close to where the Integrated Health Centre now stands. In 1804, the works became known as the Rhymney Ironworks, and in 1808, Crawshay gifted Hall the Abercarn estate, further cementing his position in the region’s industrial landscape.

In addition to his industrial roles, Hall went into politics. Supported financially by his father-in-law, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Totnes from 1806 until 1812 and then for Westbury from 1812 to 1814. He resided at Hensol Castle in Glamorgan, which he owned during his lifetime.

Hall became the sole owner of Rhymney Ironworks in 1810 upon Crawshay’s death. Using the "eight-mile clause" of the 1793 Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal Act, he raised funds to build a tramroad to carry iron, coal and goods between them and the canal wharf at Talybont-on-Usk. The Brinore (Bryn Oer) Tramroad, built by George Overton, was opened in 1815 and continued in operation until 1865. Today, the Bryn Oer Tramroad route can still be walked in large parts with spectacular views.

Hall passed away two years later in 1817, but his legacy continued in different ways. In 1825, the Bute Iron Works was built on the opposite bank of the River Rhymney on land owned by the Marquis of Bute. In 1837, the Rhymney (Union) Ironworks and the Bute works merged to form the Rhymney Iron Company, which contributed significantly to the industrial growth of Rhymney.

Hall’s son, also Benjamin, was arguable much more famous than his father. Born in 1802, like his father, he went into politics. Elected as MP for Monmouth Boroughs in 1830, he was knighted in Queen Victoria's Coronation Honours List in 1838. 

In 1854, he was made President of the Board of Health and therefore a Cabinet Minister, making him the United Kingdom's first 'Minister of Health'. At over 6’4” tall, Sir Benjamin was known as ‘Big Ben’ – his father was called ‘Slender Ben’. He was First Commissioner of Works at the time of the installation of famous bell in the Elizabeth Tower of the Houses of Parliament in 1856 and it is considered that the bell was called "Big Ben" in his honour.

He married Augusta Waddington in 1823 and as Lord and Lady Llanover, under her influence, they championed the revival of the Welsh language and culture throughout their lives. Indeed, despite living much of his life in England, Hall always considered himself as a Welshman.