Darby House, Coalbrookdale

Because Quakers refused to swear oaths of allegiance, they were excluded from professions such as legal, medical, teaching, the military, etc. As a result, most were involved in industry, commerce, and banking. At first they were shunned. Eventually they were viewed as good business partners, and thus became successful. Abraham Darby I and his family owned the Ironworks and lived near the factory. We visited their house to see how they lived. They dressed in plain clothes so as not to stand out. Eventually the way they dressed made them stand out, so many gave up the plain clothes.Read more