The Goldney family had connections with the Merchant Venturers. Records show that Thomas Goldney II funded several sea voyages associated with the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans.

Thomas Goldney III and his father held controlling shares in Abraham Darby's ironworks at Coalbrookdale – bought with profits resulting from these voyages. The ironworks produced brass objects which slavers used to trade for people.

The Goldney family business interests relied on the ongoing development of transatlantic expeditions and the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans.

From 1705 the family owned Goldney House and grounds later bought by the University. It is through this purchase that the Goldney name has become associated with the University of Bristol.