In 1851 George Tangye, aged 15, born in Illogan Cornwall, was with his parents in Broad Lane, Illogan.
In 1861 George Tangye, aged 25, born in Illogan, unmarried, engineer, and brother Edward, were lodging at 16 Spring Hill, Birmingham, Warwickshire.
In 1871 George Tangye, aged 35, born in Illogan, mechanical engineer, and wife Mary C. Tangye, aged 35, born in Kidderminster Worcestersh., were living at 14 Cambridge Crescent, Edgbaston, Warwickshire. With them were children William W. (6) of Birmingham, and (born in Edgbaston) Edgar (5), Charles A. (4), and Allan (under 10 months).
In 1891 George Tangye, aged 55, hydraulic engineer, and wife Mary C. Tangye, aged 55, born in Kidderminster, were living at Heathfield Hall, Radnor Rd, Handsworth, Staffordshire. With them were children (single) Edgar (25) of Birmingham, hydraulic engineer, Allan (20) of Birmingham, solicitor's articled clerk, Clement (18) of Handsworth, machine tool maker.
In 1901 George Tangye, aged 65, born in Illogan, Justice of the Peace, mechanical engineer, and wife Mary Catherine Tangye, aged 65, born in Kidderminster, were at Heathfield Hall, Handsworth. With them were sons (single Edgar (35), bookseller, shopkeeper, Allan (30), solicitor, and Clement (28), mechanical engineer.
In December 1905 George Tangye, gentleman, was granted Administration of his late wife's personal estate.
In 1911 George Tangye, aged 75, born in Illogan, widower, engineer, manufactures gas & steam engines, was at Heathfield Hall, Handsworth. With him were son Albert Charles (43) of Edgbaston, single, farmer, and niece Norah Tangye (37) of Redruth Cornwall, single.
In March 1913 George Tangye, civil engineer, was granted Probate of the goods &c. of his late sister Anne Connock of Carn View, widow.
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George Tangye died aged 85 years. 3
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THE PASSING OF MR. GEORGE TANGYE.
And Mr. George Tangye has also passed away at a patriarchal age. The first time I met this venerable Cornish engineer, he kindly took me to his great Cornwall works at Soho, Birmingham, and afterwards to his historic home at Heathfield, where we played billiards, and saw the famous workroom of James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine and other epoch-making things, and chatted about the foundation of the firm of Tangye Brothers, and the steam carriage they invented and drove about Birmingham—I think a score of years before we awoke to the future of road locomotives. He told me that England could then have become the pioneers in road locomotion, but the Tangye invention was strangled by Government red tape. Officialdom became so frightened that a law was passed that the speed was limited to four miles an hour, and a man had to go in front of the vehicle with a red flag! Hence France captured the motor-car industry and we were left among "the others ran." The last time I saw Mr. George Tangye was at the funeral of his brother James of Illogan. This simple Quaker burial was impressive by its very homeliness and the beautiful remarks of a Falmouth lady. The greatest inventive ability was centred in James Tangye. The late Sir Richard Tangye was the commercial member of the firm. Mr. George Tangye was an able, practical engineer, and the brothers formed a wonderful combination, who expanded their little workshop to the extensive world-famed works, employing thousands of people. And I remember, too, the plain, substantial dinner at the works, which the heads of the firm and the clerical staff admitted me to share—a meal as democratic and homely as any you would find in the States or the colonies. If the "second violin" was not there it was because the staff made other "joyful noises" during working hours ; but I saw various proofs that the Tangyes regarded their work people a great friendly gathering, and every boy was encouraged to make the best of himself and his chances of progress. This was in pre-war and pre-strike days. Time brings its changes. I think Mr. George Tangye was the last survivor of the band of five brothers. These are the days of Trade Unionism and the younger generation of employers. Each age must grapple with its own problems ; but Cornwall was happy, and the world was the better, for contributing men like Mr. George Tangye, of Illogan, and "Heathfield" to the common stock.
The Cornish Post and Mining News, Saturday, 30 Oct 1920, p. 2
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George Tangye of Heathfield Hall Handsworth and of Cornwall Works both in Birmingham died 7 October 1920 at Heathfield Hall. Probate London 4 January 1921 to John Henry Tangye, engineer, William Tangye, managing director, Allan Tangye, solicitor, and John Glaisyer, district probate registrar. Effects £207,137 10s. 3d. 4
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