From "Northumbria on this day" by Chris Kilkenny.
22 April 1809
Birth of Thomas Hedley, Mayor of Newcastle and Soap Manufacturer.
Hedley produced Fairy Soap, with its well know baby trade mark. The
company was later taken over by the American firm Proctor and Gamble.
Born at Harnham,he worked on the Quayside, then in Gateshead for a
tallow manufacturer. He moved into partnership in a soap manufacturing
business on the New Road, which became Thomas Hedley and Co. He
married the daughter of James Leathart of Brackendene, Low Fell. He
was Mayor of Newcastle and lived at Coxlodge until that house burned
down.
Brought to you by Michael Bell
