INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Series Three: The Papers of James Watt and his Family formerly held at Doldowlod House, now at Birmingham Central Library

Part 3: Correspondence, Papers & Business Records, 1736-1848

Part 3 concludes the microfilm coverage of the Papers of James Watt and his Family formerly held at Doldowlod House, now at Birmingham Central Library.

Part 3 has a strong focus on James Watt’s son, James Watt Junior. This is particularly important for the 1790s when Watt was training his son to take over the reins of all aspects of the Boulton & Watt empire along with Boulton’s son, Matthew Robinson Boulton.

James Watt Junior officially joined the firm of Boulton & Watt in 1794. He was responsible for the building of the new factory (the Soho Foundry) to manufacture engines ready for immediate sale. This was completed in 1795. He developed the business in various new directions, in particular steam navigation, after 1800. There are excellent letters in the collection both to and from the American steamboat pioneer, Robert Fulton. A new focus became necessary with the expiry of the engine patent in 1800 and dwindling royalty revenue from the old business of erecting engines on licence.

This section of the microfilm project continues from Part 2 with the following categories of material:

 - James Watt Junior's (1769-1848) personal correspondence (Reel 41)
  - James Watt Junior's (1769-1848) miscellaneous papers (Reels 41-44)
  - William Hamper’s collections for the Parish of Aston (Reels 44-47)
  - Gregory Watt's (1777-1804) personal correspondence (Reels 47-48)
  - Gregory Watt's (1777-1804) miscellaneous papers (Reels 48-51)
  - Additions to the Collection: Papers of James Watt, James Watt Junior, John Watt Senior, Finlay and Calion (Reels 51-65)

This material will be of strong interest to all those studying the inter-relationship between science and industry. It also offers important insights into how Watt adapted to the changing circumstances of the 1820s and 1830s to build upon his father’s success.