Description:Thomas Gilbert was born in 1720. Both Thomas and his brother John, (b.1724, d.1795) were canal pioneers, who worked on many projects with James Brindley. Some of the canal developments attributed to the group are the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal and the Trent and Mersey. John and Thomas served as land agents to the Marquis of Stafford and the Duke of Bridgewater, and set up a great range of industrial enterprises in 18th century Staffordshire. Their most significant involvement was in the Churnet Valley and Caldon Low Quarries, but they also had ties to the Ecton Copper Mines. Thomas Gilbert was M.P. for Lichfield between 1768-1794, during which time he introduced Poor Law reforms. He owned Cotton Hall, and largely re-built the property. He died in 1798.