William Drury-Lowe (1753-1827)


William Drury-Lowe inherited Locko Park and helped create the Derby Canal. He was a High Sheriff of Derbyshire and a Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

Biography

William Drury was born to William Drury and his wife in Nottingham. His fortune was made some years after the death of his cousin Robert Lowe in 1785. His cousin had died leaving the valuable estate of Locko Park to his youngest daughter Anne. Anne refused the inheritance as the conditions were that she marry someone from a short list of eligible bachelors chosen by her father. After taking legal advice it was decided that as Drury had a Lowe ancestor, he should inherit the lands and estate on the condition that he adopted the Lowe surname and paid Anne £50,000.
William was able to extend the lands and buildings he had inherited after he invested in the creation of the Derby Canal. The canal made the collieries at Denby much more viable as the coal could then be transported around the country by canal. It is also assisted the creation of potteries at Denby which started on Drury-Lowe's land.
Drury-Lowe was also denied a male heir although he had a daughter in 1783 who was to go onto marry Robert Holden. The engagement of Robert and Anne had been agreed by Drury-Lowe but the couple became impatient over the date of the wedding and Anne eloped with her fiancé and they were married at Gretna Green in August 1880 although the marriage was formalised in nearby Spondon on 31 August 1880. Robert was to inherit Locko Parke but never lived there as his mother-in-law outlived him.
Drury Lowe became the High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1795 as well as serving as captain of a troop of Derbyshire Volunteer Cavalry for nine years. Drury-Lowe was also made the Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire in 1797.