John Grundy (1719 - 1783)

Born 1719 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, England

Ancestors

Died 15 Jun 1783 at about age 64 in Spalding, Lincolnshire, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bruce Bennett [send private message]

Biography

John Grundy (1719-1783), a pioneer of Civil Engineering, was born in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, baptised on 1 July 1719 at Congestone, and moved to Spalding with his parents in 1739, when his father also John Grundy (c1696-1748), was appointed agent to the Deeping Fen Adventurers. [J.H.Hooper, Lincolnshire Worthies No.6 -The Two John Grundys in Lincolnshire Life, 20 No.3 ] John Grundy assisted his father in his work in Deeping Fen and during this time he gained experience in the sphere of Civil Engineering and mathematics. He began to take on projects of his own. One of the first he undertook was the construction of the sluice at Pinchbeck in 1739. His father died in 1748 and John Grundy was appointed agent to the Deeping Fen Adventurers in his place. Surveyor to the Deeping Fen Trustees. He gradually took on more commissions including work outside the South Holland area and was at his peak in the 1760's and his last report on the draining of East Fen was published in 1774, when he was in semi-retirement.

He married Lydia Knape, daughter of Rev. Knipe, in January 1743, and they had two daughters, Mary and Lydia, who survived into adulthood, and four other children who died as infants. Lydia died in 1764, buried 23 April 1764, and he married secondly Ann Maud widow of Rev. John Maud, vicar of St.Neots in Hunts, in 1766. Her daughter Elizabeth Maud married John Garner, a merchant of Grantham, and an executor of John Grundy’s will. By a settlement of 10 May 1765 he conveyed to Theophilus Buckworth esq. and John Gerner mercer divers messuages in Spalding on the east bank of the river. John Grundy also became a very successful business man, having interests in shipping and farming. He lived at the west side of the River Welland in Spalding, owning a large estate comprising house, garden, stables, warehouses, wood and coal yards, an oil mill, office and brewhouse. He owned a sloop called 'The Good Intent' and a barge called 'Polly and Lydia' after his two daughters.

He died in June 1783 and was buried in the Parish Church of St. Mary and St. Nicholas, Spalding, where a commemorative plaque can be seen at the side of the inside porch of the North Door. [Neil.R.Wright] His will was witnessed by William Hawksworth, John Chapman and Thomas King.

Sources

• J.H.Hooper, Lincolnshire Worthies No.6 -The Two John Grundys in Lincolnshire Life, 20 No.3. Burial in parish register St Mary & St Nicholas. Neil R Wright, Lincolnshire Towns and Industry 1700 –1914.

Skempton, Sir Alec; et al. (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: Vol 1: 1500 to 1830.