The Oakes family is complicated by the number of people over generations who share the same given name, so in this timeline they are numbered in the order of their birth. The timeline begins with the birth of James Oakes, who originally worked for Thomas Saxelby & Co, and became the first sole owner of the Riddings Ironworks.
1750 James Oakes (1) (1750-1828) born in Derby, partner in Riddings Ironworks and sole owner from 1817.
1778 James Oakes (2) (1778-1845) born in Derby, the son of James and Dorothea Oakes. James would take over the business on his father’s death in 1828.
1802 James Oakes (2) was working for Thomas Saxelby, Richard Forester, Nathaniel Edwards and William Whylde, who were all partners in a company trading as Thomas Saxelby & Co. Iron founders of Derby
1802 Riddings Ironworks founded by Thomas Saxelby & Co. (it was originally known as the Alfreton Iron Works)
1804 Iron production was all transferred to the Riddings Ironworks site. William Whylde left the company and was replaced by Joshua Lomas.
1805 Thomas Saxelby sold his shares to James Oakes (2) and David Mushet. David Mushet was an important figure in iron and steel manufacture, and was appointed manager of the Ironworks.
1806 The company purchased the Riddings Estate, to include Riddings House, from Lancelot and Christopher Rolleston.
1808 David Mushet left the company and sold his shares to James Oakes (2). Thomas Saxelby also sold his interest in the company to James Oakes (2) at this time, but it kept the name of Thomas Saxelby & Co.
1810 James Oakes (2) became a full partner in Thomas Saxelby & Co.
1814 James Oakes (2) married Sarah Haddon.
1816 James Oakes (3) (1816-1868) born at Riddings
1817 The company and estates were consigned to auction, which James Oakes (2) purchased. He became the sole owner when he purchased the shares owned by Richard Forrester. The company name was changed to James Oakes & Co after this event.
Over the next few years James Oakes (2) expanded Riddings Ironworks and opened several collieries in the area. He and his family moved into Riddings House, which remained in the family for many years.
1828 A second blast furnace was added to Ironworks.
1828 James Oakes (1) died.
1830 By this date the company employed about 500 workers, a considerable number which added to the population growth of the surrounding villages.
1845 James Oakes (2) died. He had three sons. The eldest, also named James (3), took overall control of the company, but his other two sons, Thomas Haden Oakes and Charles Henry Oakes also had important roles in the company.
1846 James Oakes & Co opened the Clay Works at Jubilee.
1847 James Oakes (3) erected the world`s first Oil Refinery at Riddings Ironworks. It yielded 300 gallons of oil a day which was distilled into Paraffin oil for lamps. After 2 years the supply diminished.
1853/4 The company made round shot and cast iron guns for the Crimean War.
1866 James Oakes (3) built the terraced cottages for workers at Pye Hill.
1868 James Oakes (3) died. Although married, he left no children and the company was left to his brother, Thomas Haden Oakes (1819-1902).
1877 Thomas Haden Oakes built the two Windmills at Riddings, and named them after his parents James and Sarah.
1888 Riddings & District Gas Company was established, with works at Pye Bridge. This was initially a joint venture with the Butterley Iron & Coal Co. of Ripley.
1900 The Pipeworks and Clayworks at Jubilee opened.
1902 Thomas Haden Oakes died. He was a bachelor, and with no heirs, the company was inherited by his younger brother, Charles Henry Oakes (1) (1825-1906).
1906 After less than four years in charge, Charles Henry Oakes died in February of this year. The company passed to his eldest son, James Oakes (4)
1913 James Oakes & Co in partnership with Kempson & Co formed The Midland Acid Company at Pye Bridge. They produced sulphuric acid, coal derivatives and tar distilleries
1920 Riddings Ironworks was sold to the Stanton Iron Works Co. of Ilkeston.
1921 James Oakes (4) died. He was unmarried at the time of his death and the company, now owning the Clay Works, Pipe Yard and other interests but not the Riddings Ironworks, was left to his younger brother Charles Henry Oakes (2)
1929 Charles Henry Oakes (2) died and the company passed to his son Charles Audouin Macklin Oakes.
1947 Company changes its name to Oanco
1972 The Pipeyard and Bickworks were sold to Hepworth Company
1987 Hepworth Clay works at Jubilee closed
The timeline is not complete but gives an overview of events.