The industrial Teagues and the Forest of Dean

James Teague (1750-1818) was born in Ruardean parish in Gloucester, England. He was the son of James and Hannah Teague, and grandson of Edward and Eleanor Teague, all of Ruardean. Ruardean was a parish on the edge of the ancient Forest of Dean. In 1774-75 he married Hannah Blanch (d. 1790). In 1791 he married Mary Birt (1769-1798) and upon her death he married Sarah Birt (1779-1842). The family became very prosperous and well known in the areas of coal mining, iron-ore mining, iron making, and furnace building. Most descendants mentioned remained in the area of Forest of Dean, and some in Wales, near Neath.