after an investigation into his conduct of the business, including complaints that he had moved the central office from Cornhill to a less convenient location and had opened and detained correspondence. Later life Dockwra was appointed as the London agent for the sale of lead from the Grosvenor family's lead mines in Wales, and had become the senior partner in a brass smelting business based in Esher. This project introduced some technical innovations and helped to reduce England's dependence on imports, but it was not a financial success for Dockwra, who lost control of the business. He is believed to have been poor at his death. Publications A Penny Well Beſtowed. Or a Brief Account of the New Deſign contrived for the great Increaſe of Trade, and Eaſe of Correſpondence, to the great Advantage of the Inhabitants of all ſorts, by Conveying of LETTERS or PACQUETS under a Pound Weight, to and from all parts within the Cities of London and Weſtminſter; and the Out Pariſhes within the Weekly Bills of Mortality. Broadsheet published April 1680. The practical method of the penny-post. Being a sheet very necessary for all persons to have by them with an explanation of the following stamps for the marking of all letters. Pamphlet printed by George Larkin, London, 1681. See also London Penny Post References Further reading The Penny Post 1680–1918, Frank Staff, Lutterworth Press, Cambridge, 1993. . Her Majesty's Mail, William Lewins, Sampson Low Son & Marston, London, 1864. The History of the British Post Office, J. Hemmeon, Harvard University, Cambridge, 1912. William Dockwra and the rest of the Undertakers: The story of the London penny post, 1680-2, Thomas Todd, Edinburgh, Cousland, 1952. External links Before The Penny Black Docwra Family History Project Transcript of William Dockwra's Last Will & Testament Falmouth Packet Archives 1688–1850, Includes court case against William Dockwra and decisions A Disappointed and Unhappy Man in 18th Century London. 1635 births 1716 deaths English businesspeople People from the City of London Postal pioneers William