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Thomas Edward Heap

Thomas Edward Heap set up business as a Coal Merchant in 1858 in Wardleworth Goods Yard where his location was advised in numerous adverts in local papers (early 1870s). By 1876 his business was located in Littleborough but it is unclear whether he had left Wardleworth or operated from both sites. An 1890 Trade directory recorded Thomas Edward’s Coal business as based in Canal St with supplies delivered to the nearby railway sidings. Although involved in his father’s mill, it was in the Coal trade that Thomas Edward was most commonly known being a familiar figure on the Coal Exchange which he was instrumental in setting it up. He had extensive knowledge of coal etc and was often asked about it. His employee, Mr Norris Chadwick worked for Thomas Edward for some sixty years and latterly Norris largely managed the coal business. Thomas Edward died  on 9th February 1899 and was buried in Rochdale later that month. After his father’s death, Walter became the proprietor of the coal business expanding it to also include dealing in Lime.

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