Joshua Lancaster
The original owner and operator and/or agent at Dyffryn (Hafotty) mine. Died 1899.
| 1887 | agent at Artro for Dyffryn Mining Co. | |
| 1887 | agent at Cwm Mawr for Dyffryn Mining Co. | |
| 1887 | agent at Hafotty for Dyffryn Mining Co. | |
| 1887 | agent at Harlech for Dyffryn Mining Co. | |
| 1887 | agent at Diphwys for Dyffryn Mining Co. | |
| 1887 | agent at Moelfre for Dyffryn Mining Co. | |
| 1888 | tenant at Dyffryn (Hafotty) |
Lancaster held seventeen Crown leases for minerals in Llanaber, Llandanwg, Llanenddwyn and Llanfair parishes dated between 10 March 1886 and 8 July 1888 [LRRO16/80, 81, 82, 86]. He also held a take note dated 24 March 1890 for manganese at Hendre [PRO BT31/4275/27734].
Lancaster was owner of Mostyn Coal & Iron Co. 1872–1888 and was also connected with the Abergele Hoematite Co. Ltd [Down 1980: 45]. He become involved in the Merioneth manganese mining industry following the take-over of the Mostyn Coal & Iron Co. by the Darwen and Mostyn Iron Co. Ltd in 1887.
His son, Henry Stringfellow Lancaster [Lancaster 2005], also acted as agent at some of the Merioneth mines and, considering the locations and dates, it is possible Joshua took over some of Henry’s interests immediately before Henry moved to America.