Christopher Tennant promoted the building of railways from the Durham coalfields to Stockton-on-Tees and Port Clarence, and later to Hartlepool. To do this, he had to go to London and arrange for a bill to be discussed in Parliament. Parliament then had to pass an act making it legal to build the railway. He did the same thing to get an act passed to give permission to build the harbour and docks at old Hartlepool. He was closely involved in the building of the harbour and dock (at Hartlepool Headland). He moved to old Hartlepool from Stockton to become Superintendent of Works, overseeing the dock’s construction.

Christopher Tennant was born at Yarm, the son of a hat maker. When he was still young he moved to Stockton. He started his working life as a sailor, and later became a ship-owner. He had an inventive turn of mind, and was fond of machines. This interest drew him towards investing money in projects using the latest technology, such as canals and railways. His investments went well, making him enough money to become a gentleman. This meant he had improved his position in society, and did not have to work for his living.

Tennant got an act through Parliament to build Hartlepool’s harbour & docks. On his return after being successful, “he was received with a salute of 21 guns. Preceded by a band of music, he was then chaired through the principal streets of the town, amidst the most enthusiastic demonstrations. Arriving opposite the Town hall, Mr Tennant, with several intimate friends interested in the formation of the docks, entered it, and from one of the windows of which he addressed the assembled multitude.”

Christopher Tennant died suddenly in Leeds, where he was negotiating a business deal, on 12^th September 1839. He did not live to see the completion of Hartlepool docks, or the building of the lighthouse, another project he supported.

Quote from “The Annals of Stockton-on-Tees” by Henry Heavisides, 1865.