When but a young man, he showed indications of that sagacity and energy in business which seemed to be hereditary in his family.

One of the first things he did on arriving at man's estate was to set on foot a scheme for throwing a bridge across the Severn at Coalbrookdale, at a point where the banks were steep and slippery, to accommodate the large population which had sprung up along both banks of the river.

There were now thriving iron, brick, and pottery works established in the parishes of Madeley and Broseley; and the old ferry on the Severn was found altogether inadequate for ready communication between one bank and the other.

The want of a bridge had long been felt, and a plan of one had been prepared during the life time of Abraham Darby the second; but the project was suspended at his death.
When his son came of age, he resolved to take up his father's dropped scheme, and prosecute it to completion, which he did.

Young Mr.Darby became lord of the manor of Madeley in 1776, and was the owner of one-half of the ferry in right of his lordship.