In 1866, Thomas Appleby and Robert Ropner founded the shipping company of Appleby, Ropner & Co. This partnership was dissolved in 1874, with each partner establishing their own companies: T. Appleby & Co., and R. Ropner & Co.
The vessels listed below under ship are those that were built at West Hartlepool and those that were built elsewhere are listed under a general history.
Family History:
Thomas Appleby was born at Garmondsway, Durham in 1839 to parents John (farmer) and Elizabeth Davison (nee Richardson) Appleby. He married Harriet Wearmouth at Pittington on 9th December 1868. In 1871 the family were living at Seaton Carew. By 1881 the couple were living at Ashfield House, Greatham with their five children. Harriet died in December 1904.
Thomas was chairman of the Hartlepool Gas Company, president of the South East Durham Conservative Association and a J.P.
Thomas died at Greatham aged 69 on 24th November 1909 leaving effects of £116,954.
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Appleby & Co.
