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Notes relating to pig and bar iron, 1763-1787, including observations on making and refining pig and bar iron; a draft report made whilst working at the forge at Trostrey that was intended for a House of Commons Committee, 1781; notes on working cast iron in a wood charcoal refinery; notes from the balling forge at Cefn Cribwr, including references to the Bassaleg and Machen forges; notes on the size of the blast furnace and weight of coke to be used; notes on using the forge hammer and anvil at Cefn Cribwr; and an envelope of undated fragments relating to processing techniques and experiments with acid.

Journey notes and observations, 1766-1787, including notes from visits to London and Birmingham in 1766 concerning the manufacture of pig and bar iron. The notes contain the names and addresses of businessmen and details of their work, and notes on lead imports and exports in London. Also included are notes on forge processes at a foundry in Bristol, 1787, and observations on water wheels.

Notes on the nature and quality of iron ores in England and Wales and overseas, 1779-1784, including studies of Bedford's own repository of ores; lecture notes on iron ores and smelting; observations on the chemical principles of iron ores; notes on ores in America; notes on how to make steel from English iron ore; and comments on smelting ores in a small blast furnace.

Papers relating to gun barrel forging, 1766-1786, including comments on the practices of tradesmen at other forges in Birmingham and London; notes on transporting coal by wagon; observations on forging barrels for fine fowling guns; and a list of workmen willing to move to Cefn Cribwr to work.

Papers relating to light cannon casting, 1776-1788, including observations on the use of cast-iron in the manufacture of cannons, and notes on improving the quality of the metal used to make it more resilient in cold weather and less susceptible to rust, 1776. The file also includes notes on Bedford's plans to make light cast-iron cannons with the intention of gaining the approval of high-ranking officials and the Board of Ordnance, 1779; and sheets of unrelated notes and observations on fine fowling guns, malleable cannons, and anchor parts for naval ships.

Papers relating to land management, 1780-1791, including a land security plan, notes on forge shares, land transactions and plans for a new company that were drawn up in the last year of Bedford's life, presumably when his venture at Cefn Cribwr had failed to prove successful. The file also includes a fragment of a letter concerning land issues.

Papers relating to general business matters, 1781-1787, including rules for trading wholesale materials with a coal yard, 1787; notes on the price of local materials; the cost of the forge at Cefn Cribwr standing still, 1787; and Bedford's thoughts on partnerships and transport.

Papers relating to salaries and terms of employment, 1767-1787, including drafts of the terms and conditions of employment for labourers, forgemen and apprentices at Cefn Cribwr; information on wages and length of employment; and notes concerning certain employees.

Papers relating to the planning and building of a forge at Rogerstone and a blast air furnace at Cefn Cribwr, 1766-1788, including notes on the design and structure of the forge and furnace; records of the dimensions and materials agreed upon with the builders; papers concerning firebricks for the furnace; and notes on settling the forge hammer and on improving the forge bellows at Cefn Cribwr. The file also contains a drawing by John Bedford of furnace blowing cylinders at Ketley Furnace, Shropshire, in 1772.

Papers relating to estate infrastructure at Cefn Cribwr, 1771-1785, including notes on the state of the roads at the forge; plans for two new canals at the forge and at a small colliery nearby; and some notes on stirring canals, improving meadows by mixing canal soils and lime, and on mending a broken dam. The file also contains pages from various booklets on water wheels and troughs; justifications for using one water wheel at Cefn Cribwr; and a printed plan of the canal from Coventry to Oxford, 1771.

Papers relating to the building of stone arches, 1782-1787, including general notes on the design and construction of arches, measurements, details regarding keystones, and notes on the arches at the furnace in Cefn Cribwr. The papers within this file reflect Bedford's long-standing interest in the field. A builder's estimate for a house in Birmingham is also included.

Correspondence, 1779, including draft letters intended for various trading companies and the Board of Ordnance concerning Bedford's work, and a letter regarding the use of charcoal and various coals in the iron-making process.

Correspondence, 1780-1781, including draft letters concerning the principles of iron ores and the science of forging, and Bedford's search for an agent in the South West of England.

Correspondence, 1785, concerning Bedford's personal affairs and business, including a letter regarding the receipt and payment of bills.

Correspondence, 1786, largely relating to business matters, including a petition on account of Evan Giles regarding money, letters concerning the drawing up of a settlement, and offers to various individuals of some chaises.

Correspondence, 1787, relating to Bedford's personal affairs, rent arrears and general business matters.

Correspondence, 1788-1789, including letters concerning papers intended for the Board of Ordnance, a tenement in King's Norton, legal business, and the sale of a 28-acre farm.

Petitions and notes, 1796-1779, intended for the Royal Society of Arts, including papers relating to the manufacture of guns and ship anchors; petitions concerning premiums offered by the Society for white iron; and an undated fragment referring to Bedford giving a lecture at the Society.

Notes, entitled 'proverbs', 1787-1788, relating to various matters, such as human nature, libraries, business conduct, and languages.

Notes relating to the relationship between the Arts and Sciences, and comments on the social behaviour of the lower classes, 1787-1788.