INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY

Series One: The Boulton & Watt Archives and the Matthew Boulton Papers from Birmingham Central Library

Part 6: Muirhead II - Notebooks and Papers of James Watt and Family

Part 7: Matthew Boulton Correspondence (Subject Material and Individual Correspondents Including

            Garbett, Rennie, Southern and Wilkinson)

Part 8: Muirhead III and IV - Notebooks and Papers of James Watt and Family

Detailed Listing - Part 8

MUIRHEAD III

Box 1

MIII/1/1 : Probate copy of the will of John Silk of Birmingham, baker : leaves land in Birmingham, Harborne, King’s Norton, Oldbury. 6 February, 1729.

MIII/1/2-3 : Final concords.
: Parties : 1. Thomas Nickin; and 2. Lancelot Adney
: Property : Land in Harborne and King’s Norton. February 1734.

MIII/1/4 : Agreement to levy a fine.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney of Birmingham, cutler and Sarah, his wife; and 2. Thomas Nickin of Birmingham, mercer. 29 June 1734.

MIII/1/5-6 : Lease and release.
: Parties : 1. Mary Silk of Bridgnorth, spinster; and 2. Daniel Seeley of Bridgnorth, gent.
: Property : Tenements in Birmingham, Edgbaston, Harborne, King’s Norton, Moseley and Oldbury. 30-31 January 1738.

MIII/1/7 : Bargain and sale.
: Parties : 1. William Caldwell of Birmingham, cutler and Thomas Aynsworth of Birmingham, baker; and 2. Thomas Wilson of Birmingham, baker.
: Property : Tenements in Birmingham, Edgbaston, Harborne, King’s Norton, Moseley and Oldbury. 13 February 1739.

MIII/1/8 : Mortgage.
: Parties : 1. William Caldwell, Thomas Aynsworth and Mary, his wife; 2. Thomas Wilson; and 3. Daniel Whalley of Birmingham, ironmonger.
: Property : as above. 14 February 1739.

MIII/1/9 : Final concord.
: Parties : 1. Joseph Scott; and 2. William Gibbons, Sarah Thomas Aynsworth and Mary.
: Property : in Harborne [October 1739].

MIII/1/10 : Bargain and sale.
: Parties : 1. Daniel Seeley of Bridnorth, gentleman; and 2. William Caldwall of Birmingham, cutler.
: Property : in Birmingham, Harborne, Moseley etc. 2 November 1739.

MIII/1/11 : Release.
: Parties : as above.
: Property : as above. 3 November 1739.

MIII/1/12 : Mortgage.
: Parties : 1. Daniel Whalley of Birmingham, ironmonger, 2. Lancelot Adney of Birmingham, cutler and Thomas Adney of Bridgnorth, surgeon; and 3. Reuben Parker of Birmingham, silversmith.
: Property : in Edgbaston Harborne, King’s Norton, Moseley etc. 8 January 1741.

MIII/1/13 : Lease for a year.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney and Sarah, his wife; and 2. Anne Brearley of Handsworth, widow.
: Property : in Harborne and King’s Norton. 5 May 1741.

MIII/1/14 : Bond for a mortgage.
: Parties : Lancelot Adney of Birmingham; and 2. Anne Brearley of Handsworth. 6 May 1741.

MIII/1/15 : Mortgage.
: Parties : as above.
: Property : in Harborne, King’s Norton etc. 6 May 1741.

MIII/1/16-17 : Lease and release.
: Parties : Thomas Aynsworth of Birmingham, baker and Mary, his wife; and 2. Lancelot Adney and Thomas Adney.
: Property : in Harborne, King’s Norton, Moseley etc. 7-8 May 1741.

MIII/1/18 : Mortgage.
: Parties : 1. Reuben Parker of Birmingham; 2. Lancelot Adney of Birmingham; and 3. Joseph Carles of Birmingham, gentleman.
: Property : in Harborne, King’s Norton etc. 14 February 1742.

MIII/1/19 : Lease for a year.
: Parties : 1. Anne Brearley; and 2. Richard Simcox.
: Property : in Birmingham, Harborne, King’s Norton. 23 November 1752.

MIII/1/20 : Assignment of mortgage.
: Parties : 1. Anne Brearley of Handsworth; 2. Lancelot Adney of Birmingham; and 3. Richard Simcox of Birmingham, gentleman. 24 November 1752.

MIII/1/21 : Assignment of mortgage.
: Parties : 1. Mary Careless of Birmingham; 2. Lancelot Adney of Birmingham and 3. Richard Simcox of Birmingham, gentleman. 24 November 1752.

MIII/1/22 : Articles of agreement for purchase.
: Parties : 1. John Austin of Harborne, yeoman; and 2. Lancelot Adney of Moseley, gentleman.
: Property: in Harborne [named]. 27 March 1755.

MIII/1/23 : Mortgage.
Parties : 1. John Austin of Harborne, awl blade maker; and 2. Sir Thomas Birch, judge at court of Common Pleas.
: Property : in Harborne. 2 April 1755.

MIII/1/24-25 : Lease and release.
: Parties : 1. John Austin; and 2. Lancelot Adney.
: Property : in Harborne [named]. 9-10 April 1755.

MIII/1/26 : Deed to declare the uses of a fine.
: Parties : 1. John Austin of Harborne and wife; and 2. Lancelot Adney of Moseley. 1 November 1755.

MIII/1/27-28 : Final concords.
: Parties : 1. John Austin of Harborne and wife; and 2. John Austin and wife.
: Property : in Harborne. [November 1755]

MIII/1/29 : Lease.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney of Moseley; and 2. Thomas Lakin of Birmingham, toymaker.
: Property : in Birmingham, Harborne and Moseley. 1 May 1757.

MIII/1/30 : Indenture to raise further security.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney; and 2. Thomas Lakin. 2 May 1757.

MIII/1/31 : Lease for a year.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney of Moseley; and 2. Thomas Townsend of Birmingham, gent.
: Property : in Birmingham, Harborne and Moseley. 6 May 1757.

MIII/1/32 : Indenture to raise further security.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney; and 2. Thomas Townsend. 7 May 1757.

MIII/1/33 : Lease for a year.
: Parties : 1. Thomas Lakin of Birmingham, candlestick and toymaker, Lancelot Adney; and 2. Thomas Russell of Birmingham, merchant.
: Property : in Harborne, King’s Norton, Birmingham, etc. 23 March 1759.

MIII/1/34 : Assignment of security.
: Parties : as above.

Box 2

MIII/2/1-2 : Lease and release.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney of Moseley, gentleman; and 2. Thomas Adney of Bridgnorth, surgeon (his brother).
: Property : in Birmingham, Harborne, Moseley, Bridgnorth and Lichfield. 7-8 April 1760.

MIII/2/3 : Lease.
: Parties : 1. Thomas Townsend of Birmingham, gentleman, Lancelot Adney of Moseley; and 2. Thomas Adney of Bridgnorth.
: Property : in Harborne, Moseley and Birmingham. 24 June 1760.

MIII/2/4 : Assignment of mortgage.
: Parties : 1. France Russell of Birmingham, widow, John Russell of Birmingham, merchant, 2. Lancelot Adney of Moseley, 3. Thomas Adney of Bridgnorth; and 4. Benjamin Haslewood of Bridgnorth, stationer. 24 June 1760.

MIII/2/5 : Assignment of mortgage.
: Parties : 1. Thomas Townsend of Birmingham; and 2. Lancelot Adney. 25 June 1760.

MIII/2/6-7 : Lease and release.
: Parties : 1. Lancelot Adney; and 2. Thomas Adney.
: Property : in Moseley (including fighting cocks), Harborne, Birmingham and Lichfield. 29-30 October 1761.

MIII/2/8 : Copy of the will of the late Thomas Adney. 20 July 1763.

MIII/2/9-10 : Lease and release.
: Parties : 1. William Russell of Birmingham, merchant; and 2. Benjamin Haslewood of Bridgnorth, stationer.
: Property : in Harborne, Birmingham and King’s Norton etc. 19-20 June 1765.

MIII/2/11 : Assignment of mortgage term in trust to attend the inheritance.
: Parties : 1. Mary Birch of Great Queen Ann Street, Marylebone; 2. Mary Adney of Bridgnorth, Rachael Adney of Bridgnorth; and 3. Benjamin Haslewood of Bridgnorth. 15 December 1777.

MIII/2/12-13 : Probate copy and another copy of the will of Benjamin Haslewood, deceased. 12 October 1789.

MIII/2/14-15 : Lease and release.
: Parties : 1. Rachael Adney of Bridgnorth, William Haslewood of Bridgnorth; and 2. Theodore Price of Harborne.
: Property : in Harborne (named) 9-10 June 1801.

MIII/2/16 : Assignment.
: Parties : 1. George Birch of Windsor; 2. Rachael Adney and William Haslewood; and 3. Philemon Price of Birmingham, gentleman and Theodore Price. 10 June 1801.

Box 3

MIII/3/1 : Waste book of James Watt. 1757-1763 [Records payments for stock for mathematical instruments, clocks etc.].

MIII/3/2 : Waste book of James Watt. 1765-1769 [Records payments for business at Trongate Shop, family, travel etc.].

MIII/3/3 : Impersonal ledger of James Watt. January-April 1757.

MIII/3/4 : Personal ledger of James Watt. October 1759-December 1764.

MIII/3/5 : Rough ledger of James Watt. April 1762.

MIII/3/6 : Ledger of personal accounts of various customers. January 1764-May 1769.

MIII/3/7 : Journeymen’s Book [Records payment to various workers].

MIII/3/8 : Journeymen’s book. 1764-1771.

MIII/3/9 : Sale of shop goods of James Watt of Greenock. 20 June 1776.

MIII/3/10-12 : Miscellaneous papers.
: /10 : List of subscriptions towards the additional stipend payable to David Turner, Minister of Greenock from two quarters of the town [gives names and occupations]. 1747-1750.
: /11 : Part of a draft report on a description of the country from Glasgow to the Carron. n.d.
: /12 : Note from John Tillock of Glasgow to James Buchanan of Drumpellier. 1771

: [These three items were sent to the Reference Library form the Science Museum].

Box 4

MIII/4/1-11 : Hand-coloured drawings and texts of the Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord’s Prayer etc. drawn and written by John Watt for Crawfordsdyke in 1714. [John Watt (1687-1737) uncle of James Watt made clerk to the barony of Crawfordsdyke, [Cartsdyke] a suburb of Greenock in 1712 later moving to Glasgow to work as a surveyor.

MIII/4/12 : A plan of The Moss of Paisley. Scale : 10ch to 1”. 1719

MIII/4/13 : A plan of Port Glasgow. Scale : 50’ to 1”. n.d.

MIII/4/14-15 : Drawings of the Cluny engine and [water?]-wheel at Cluny. n.d.

MIII/4/16-55 : Architectural plans, elevations, sketches and details, some possibly by Samuel Wyatt, architect, of Heathfield House and grounds, Handsworth. 1789-1795.
: /16-30 : Elevations.
: /31-42 : Plans.
: /43-47 : Details (interiors, fireplaces, etc.).
: /48-55 : Plans of the grounds, outbuildings etc.

MIII/4/56-124 : Papers and accounts for building etc. at Heathfield. Includes : Specifications for new buildings on the east side of the yard in 1795; notebook with information on price of land, cost of Heathfield, rents from cottages etc., cost of Mr Keir’s house at Smethwick (1786); calculations. 1786-1825.

MIII/4/125-126 : Mr Stark’s plans for the distribution of hot air in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow. 1808.

MIII/4/127 : Sketch of a house proposed to be built at Doldowlod. 1818.

MIII/4/128 : Plan of a house [unidentified]. n.d.

MIII/4/129 : Drawings of a hepplewhite-type late eighteenth century chair. n.d.

MIII/4/130-132 : Drawings of a two-wheeled chaise. n.d.

MIII/4/133 : Sketch of a decorative corner motif. n.d.

MIII/4/134-152 : Plans and papers of Badland Farm, Radnorshire.

MIII/4/134-5 : Plan and note by John Maund of Badland House with estimate for alternations. August 1806.

MIII/4/136 : Drawings of windows for Badland House, 1807.

MIII/4/137 : Large plan of Badland House, outbuildings etc. by William Galliers. Scale : 1” to 8’. 16 June 1807.

MIII/4/138 : Elevation of Badland House and chamber floor plan by W. Galliers. [1807].

MIII/4/139-141 : Papers concerning queries about Badland House and answers by Mr Cole and repairs required for the house. 1807-1808.

MIII/4/142 : Additional directions for repairs to Badland House. July 1808.

MIII/4/143-144 : Plans, elevations and sections of Badland House. June 1808.

MIII/4/145 : Sketch and note from Benjamin Wishlade concerning alterations and measurements to Badland. March 1811.

MIII/4/146 : Calculation of the expense of repairing and adding to a barn at Badland. August 1814.

MIII/4/147 : Plan of Badland with proposed alterations. October 1814.

MIII/4/148 : Letter from Benjamin Wishlade and sketch of proposed stables and wain house for Badland. November 1814.

MIII/4/149 : Sketch of Badland House and outbuildings. n.d.

MIII/4/150-152 : Drawings of kitchen alterations at Badland. n.d.

MIII/4/153 : Book of designs for gates by Hill and Breeze of Tipton with costs. n.d. [late 18C].

MIII/5 (Stored in a separate portfolio).

Maps and Plans, probably by John Watt (uncle of James Watt, Surveyor) (1687-1737).

MIII/5/1 : Table giving ‘a scheme of the measures of the Barony of Hamilton’, names of farms and type of land etc. c.1728.

MIII/5/2 : Plan of the lands of Kenmuir, Lanarkshire by John Watt. 1730.

MIII/5/3 : Plan of Annot-Hill, Lanarkshire by John Watt. Scale : ¾” to 100f ft.

MIII/5/4 : Map of area around Castle Semple and Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire by John Watt. Scale : 1” to 1500 ft. 1733.

MIII/5/5 : Map of Renfrewshire, probably drawn by John Watt. n.d. [c.1730].

MIII/5/6 : Map of the Firth and River Clyde by John Watt. Scale : twenty English miles. n.d. [c.1730].

MIII/5/7 : Copy of part of the survey of the Clyde by John Watt. n.d. [c.1734]. [John Watt surveyed the River Clyde from above Rutherglen to Portincross in 1734. It was engraved in 1759 and published 1759-60 having been completed by James Watt of Greenock, his brother and James and John Watt, his nephews].

MIII/5/8 : Section of the Clyde showing riverbed, depths at various places etc. n.d. [c1734].

MIII/5/9 : Map of the West coast of Scotland from Loch Ryan, Ayrshire to Loch Sunart, the Islands and North coast of Ireland [? Drawn by John Watt]. n.d. [c.1730].

MIII/5/10 : Plan of the houses and yards belonging to Dovehill, Rough Hill, Mr Downie and Mr Boyd [location unknown]. n.d. [c.1730].

MIII/5/11 : Unfinished map of Lochwinnoch and surrounding farms etc., Renfrewshire. Scale : 10 English chains to 1”. n.d. [c.1730].

MIII/5/12 : Unfinished map of the Firth of Clyde. n.d. [c.1730].

MIII/5/13 : Unfinished map of the River Clyde from Bothwell Bridge to Evan Bridge (?), Lanarkshire. Scale : 500’ to 1”. n.d. [c.1730].

MIII/5/14-15 : Drawing of proposed canal from the River Clyde at Garscube to Carron Iron Works with observations by Robert Markell and map of the river systems in that area. n.d.

MIII/5/16-18 : Plan, elevation and details of roofing structure of a church together with plan of the church and square, [location not identified] drawn by John Watt, Jnr. [brother of James Watt]. n.d. [c.1756].

MUIRHEAD IV

Boxes 1-10 : Correspondence : A-Z. Letters received by James Watt (or his son), c1772-1818.

Box 1

Correspondence : A-B (8 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter, with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder. For a brief summary of these details please see the Contents of Reels section in this guide).

Principal items of interest include :

Letter to Mr James Watt Jnr. at Mrs Boulton’s [Muirhead IV. Box 1. A-B. (Folder B3)]. Clifton, Bristol. August 17 [1794].

“Now, my dear Sir, if I did not fear that events might very speedily rebuke my vanity, I would exult in my preference of Barreres’ talents and honesty to Robespierre’s. This transaction from which the confederate powers who now depend solely on accidents seemed to promise themselves so much at first, now appears nothing less than favourable to them. I suppose the French nation, seeing the attempts of the Robespierre and Downton’s defeated, will feel new animation in the causes of liberty. The Convention, though too slow in asserting itself, will still gain in the estimation of France and other countries. Besides if one may judge Tallion’s speech and the applause it received, the horrible system of blood-shed will be altered, for it appears as if the majority of deputies and of the nation had felt as much horror as we did at the cruelty of the executions – But is it not remarkable that the infernal villain: Robespierre – for such he appears now his mask has been pulled off – was the only conspicuous person in France who affected the Cast of Piety? I have long believed this to be the most infallible criterion of rascality; and Robespierre has not shaken my opinion.

You remember Mr Boulton’s objection is part of my project, as including a hospital. No person has a more intimate conviction than I have of the bad effects produced by these supposed charitable institutions. In proof of which I enclose you a paper I wrote a few years back upon the subject. The arguments in my opinion are decisive but, as you probably know, they have no effect. Pray show it Mr Boulton; but I must request you to keep it and in order to return it, as I have no other copy remaining – and if ever a chance of doing good should occur I would enlarge and publish it.

It occurred to me whether Cooper would not like to carry one of your father’s apparatuses to America: It would be thought a great curiosity there and might be extremely useful – Mr Boulton has, I know many quartz crystals; if in looking over them, you should cast your eye upon some with opaque dark-coloured filaments passing through them, pray beg one for me – I want to try whether.

Thomson’s discovery holds with respect to them – I do not know whether you ever saw a little flimsy thing of mine, entitled A Guide to Self-Preservation and Parental Affection, but I am going to print a third edition with some improvements and I will send you a few copies.

Nothing can be more dead than trade is here. The sugar merchants are afraid Grey will not dislodge the French Guadeloupe, in which case they dread the most pernicious effects from the French decree of emancipation. If you see Mr Keir soon remember me to him – Adieu, my dear sir. Yours with much esteem.

Thomas Beddoes”

Letter of introduction to the Earl of Clancarty enclosed with a letter from Sir Joseph Banks to James Watt Jnr., Esq. 30 Sept 1817. [Muirhead IV. Box 1. A-B. (Folder B1)]. Soho Square. 29 Sept 1817.

“My dear Lord,

Allow me to recommend to your Lordships kind civilities and powerful protection the bearer of this, Mr Watt, son of the Mr Watt who in partnership with Mr Boulton made the improvements in steam engines that have made them the principal cause of the commercial prosperity of Great Britain by the abridgement of human labour of all descriptions.

Mr Watt, the bearer, follows the footsteps of his father. He now manages the manufactory of steam engines at Birmingham, from whence the best machines now in use have issued.

He has now taken into hand the improvement of steam vessel and has succeeded so well in his first attempt as to give well founded hopes that England will, as it ought to do, exceed all other nations in the construction of steam vessels, as she now certainly does in that of steam engines. Till we can apply steam to the motion of ships, we must consider naval construction in its infancy. The first step is to construct a boat that will combat with advantage the winds and waves of the oceans. This Mr Watt has already effected.

It gives me great pleasure my Dear Lord to have any occasion of addressing you that gives me opportunity of serving your Lordship that I shall ever continue with the sincerest esteem and regard.

Your Lordships most faithful and most Hble. Servt. Joseph Banks”

Box 2

Correspondence : B-C (9 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter, with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder. For a brief summary of these details please see the Contents of Reels section in this guide).

Box 3

Correspondence : D-F (6 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter, with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder. For a brief summary of these details please see the Contents of Reels section in this guide).

Principal items of interest include :

Letter from Peter Ewart to Mr James Watt, Jnr. [Muirhead IV. Box 3. D-F. (Folder E2)]. Manchester 12 April 1797.

“Dear Sir,

I have had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 29th Instant. I am very glad to tell you that Mr Murdock is with you and have no doubt of your rapid progress towards perfection in your machinery.

An endless screw is certainly a good thing for a slow motion where steadiness is required and the only objection to it is the wear and friction, which in general is very great where there is much pressure. I would advise you to make the screws of steel and have them made as hard as possible. If they be large this will be rather difficult, but I have no doubt of your resolution overcoming such obstructions – I should like to know the result of your experiment on the 12 inch cylinder. I fancy a great deal depends upon the form and position of the Cutlers and upon the skill of the Borer, which can only be acquired by experience. I have been thinking a good deal about your schemes but have nothing new to offer worth your notice – have you made any new experiments upon turning piston rods?

With regard to Barriers’ Injunction and its rider I have only to observe that I left the Memoranda Book containing both Gilpin’s notes and my own with Mr Creighton for the purpose of being copied for the use of Mr Boulton Junior Esq. by his desire and also for the “private use and employment of” you or such other friends as might choose to transcribe the same. This being the case I conceive the Injunction to be null and void and hereby demand a copy of Mr Barnes’ Report and the restitution of my Memoranda Book.

Lawson was here last week on his road from Lancaster but I was in Derbyshire at a weaving shop we have there and did not see him. I am very sorry that Mr Hodgson has been so long in being supplied with a man to put up his engine; who have you sent? In looking at the Review this morning I perceive that Bramah has opened a battery against you in the form of a letter to the Lord Chief. Do you mean to enter the lists with him and evince your prowess at single combat? Pray has Mabberly capitulated or does he still hold out?

I have not seen the Walker’s lately, but I hear they are taking steps for calling a town’s meeting for petitioning the King for a change of Ministers, how they will succeed I know not …”.

Letter from Peter Ewart to James Watt at the Walkers office, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. [Muirhead IV. Box 3. D-F. (Folder F2)]. Leeds 6th February 1796.

“Dear Sir,

I came here yesterday and am sorry to find that I might not have the pleasure of meeting you. I write this principally to inform you that Mr Lower of Nottingham is here on his road to Messrs. Salvings near Durham, where he intends to be on Monday next and wishes much to meet Mr Lawson and you or one of you there then, that everything may be properly adjusted about the engine and building.

I left all our friends at Soho well on Wednesday. I suppose Mr Boulton has sent you an account of the Foundry feast, which was a most capital business I assure you. It wanted nothing but your honour’s presence to make it the completest thing that ever was seen. I go to Halifax on Monday and return by Manchester and Liverpool so as to be home by the end of the week, the post time is almost gone. So you must excuse haste and believe me always to remain.

Dear Sir, Yours Truly, Peter Ewart”

Letter from Peter Ewart to James Watt, Jnr. [Muirhead IV. Box 3. D-F. (Folder E3)]. London 9th April 1813.

Addressed to James Watt, Jnr. Esq., Soho.

“Dear Sir,

It was a great disappointment to us all that we had not the pleasure of seeing you at Soho and particularly so to me standing as I do so much in need of your knowledge and experience in the law of patents. The lawyers being on the circuit I have not yet been able to obtain an interview with any of them. Tomorrow however I expect to meet Mr Holroyd. I am strongly advised to consult Brougham also, who is expected in town on Monday. Your father mentioned the Attorney-General. I understand however that he cannot, from his office, give his advice on patents.

The only difficulty is in giving a distinct definition of the principle of the invention. I write this under the idea that you are now at home and may probably have heard something of what was discussed at Soho and Heathfield. I am most inclined to adopt the definition, which your father was so kind as to give me, of the nature of the invention. I yesterday met Mr William Strutt of Derby and was glad to get his opinion of my loom.

He appears to like it. He thinks it would not be quite safe to retain the words – ‘without the intervention of a rotary motion or wheelwork’ – for though he admits that a rotary motion could not be interposed between the piston and the lathe without injury to the machine, still he thinks it might be interposed for the purpose of evasion. He thinks that if it be stated that the “pistons are connected immediately, or by means of a lever or levers with the lathe in such manner that the reciprocating motion of the piston shall produce a corresponding reciprocating motion in the lathe” it will comprehend the essential principles of the machine without inserting the negative condition about the rotary motion.

I am glad to tell you that we got all well to town and the party (although I see little of them, being wholly occupied with my model, drawings and specifications) have great enjoyment in seeing the wonders of London during this fine weather. Mr Rennie came to town on Wednesday. I spent an hour or two with him last night and tonight we go in a body to spend the evening with him. He insisted on our dining with him today but I got him to relinquish that. He is in good spirits but not strong.

Some days before I left Manchester I was much surprised to receive the enclosed letter from Mrs. Richard Walker. I have seen very little of her these two years past and I was not prepared for this application – I briefly replied to her that I expected to be with you soon and that I could only show you her letter …

Yours Truly

Peter Ewart”

Box 4

Correspondence : G-H (8 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter, with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder. For a brief summary of these details please see the Contents of Reels section in this guide).

Box 5

Correspondence : I-L (12 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter, with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder. For a brief summary of these details please see the Contents of Reels section in this guide).

Principal items of interest include:

Letter from James Lawson to J. Watt Jnr. at the Rookery. [Muirhead IV. Box 5. I-L. (Folder L2)]. London 26 January 1808.

“My Dear Sir,

The enclosed is a copy of what I have written to MRB which I hope will meet with your approbation and should it be mentioned to you with every assistance.

I beg leave to remark that I think a letter from your father to Sir J.B. would be still better than my opening the subject to him – and I doubt not he will with pleasure give me one – should you approve this method for I really feel I am asking no more than is due, some renumeration for the exertion of much time otherwise lost and also seeing as I do the great advantage acquired by an invention to which I have sole claim.

Your sentiments on this subject will be acceptable to.

My dear Sir,

Yours Truly

James Lawson”

NB : In my introductory letter to Sir J.B. received after I came here no mention is made of this subject – hereby I came to superintend the erection.”

Copy to MRB

“Dear Sir,

Having now got matters a little arranged at the Mint – and going on pretty smoothly I should think this is a good time to mention to Sir J.B. the necessity there must be for someone to superintend the management of the machinery.

There is also another strong reason, I do not see you should be loaded with my present time as it has hitherto and must be for some months entirely occupied on govt. acct. Many other reasons may be urged. Sir Joseph’s age and infirmities. The present favourable State of Ministers, with respect to him and the concern. If these ideas meet your approbation I shall take an early opportunity of speaking to Sir J.B. in any way you point out.”

Letter from James Lawson to James Watt, Jnr. at the Rookery, Birmingham. [Muirhead IV. Box 5. I-L (Folder L2)].

“My Dear Sir,

I received ours of the instant, for which you have my thanks – its enclosure from Mr Lee I have returned to him, after making enquiry at my cousin who will do what he can to find out the person – though from what my cousin says it is very doubtful – as the connecting path is broke from the moment he left the Diadem and can only be pieced by enquiry form his messmates or in some such way.

Being now my friend being set down in comfortable lodgings and in a situation nearly new having now something to do in which I have sole direction and must stand or fall by the consequence – I shall open my mind freely to you.

For many years back though never much of a grumbletomian I have felt much from remaining so long the mere agent (even of B.W. and Co.) and often thought I merited more – much more – I do not mean money for with what I have laterally recd. – I have been fully satisfied – as it has done more than supplied all my wants and enabled me to give assistance to a family who need help – How much you have mistaken my natural wish you may judge – when I tell you that since I came here (though only the other day) I have felt more satisfaction and comfort from having enough to fully occupy my time during the day – in the way of business – leaving my evenings free and clear, either to read, think or amuse myself in any way and though busy (not hurried) I have more leisure than at any former period of a life in which much has passed, in review from the continual change of place and society in which I mixed and from which by reflection I may still have pleasure for in all my journeyings I have never lost the friend I would wish to retain.

Such my dear friend has long been my sentiments in endeavouring to acquire some respectable and fixed situation which now under providence seems likely in due time to take place and for which I have in a great measure to thank you and such indeed were the sentiments I entertained at the time, when God who in his own way directs the whirlwind and guides the storm …

Yours Truly,

James Lawson”

Letter from James Lawson to James Watt Jnr. [Muirhead IV. Box 5. I-L (Folder L40)]. 18 Aug 1812.

“Dear Sir,

Your backgammon table, chessmen etc. came here yesterday and as they are too large for the parcel and I suppose are not in a great hurry I shall send them in a little box by Deykins Waggon (and enclose the gauge for Messrs. Goodwin’s piston) – we had a grand illumination last night. I wished we had had a little gas here as we made but a poor appearance – the front of India House was one blaze and the Trinity House was also brilliant (only our gate was lighted) to display our loyalty with G.R. and the Crown – I remain Dear Sir.

Yours Truly, James Lawson.

New Mint. 18 Aug 1812.”

Letter from the Royal Mint [Muirhead IV. Box 5. I-L (Folder L4)].

“Dear Sir,

James McMurdo came here this morning and showed me an advertisement in the Morning Chronicle for an engineer at the East London Water Works as R. Walker had resigned. He says one of the proprietors thinks he may succeed provided he applies (if he was disengaged). He came here begging me to entreat you would give up the remainder of his time and that he would get his brother Robert to work it out for him; or in short do anything he could to set off honourably. I told him I could do nothing and though I very much doubted of his being able to find interest to get such a situation (for I understand they mean to reduce it to £200 (per annum) and confine it to management of the works; without having anything to do with accounts) that his only way was to write to you (B.W. and Co.). I rather think his wife’s father, who has property and is probably a proprietor, may have given him encouragement and he is a very enterprising lad – he has made friends wherever he has worked as he has become a family man he is anxious to get a fixed situation, though I have given him no encouragement in any way. I wish him well and would not stand in his way, though I think other interests will be more powerful – as Millington – Mr Walker’s son and I understand young Simpson are candidates. I should indeed be sorry to lose his services here for he is by much the best hand for large (presses?) I know of and has always given great satisfaction.

I rather address this to you than the firm and should you permit him to try if he fails he will not be a worse servant, though I think you will not retain him by as engine erector.

I remain Dear Sir,
Yours Truly,
[Royal Mint – 29 Oct 1813]
James Lawson”

Box 6

Correspondence : M (12 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder; for a brief summary of these details please see the Contents of Reels section in this guide).

Principal items of interest include:

Letter from Mrs Charlotte Matthews to J. Watt, Jnr. [Muirhead IV. Box 6. M. (Folder M4)]. London January 30 1798

“Dear Sir,

I have now to thank you for five kind favours of the 25th and 26th instant. I will call them consolatory for they seem to insinuate nothing but inevitable ruin; they have however this merit, to warn me of what must happen if I did not before expect the worst. I deny that I am inclined to treat lightly the apprehensions of the alarmists of your quarter; on the contrary I am perhaps little short of yourselves in this respect; but I must repeat that I cannot in my small intercourse find one person equally alarmed with you and here I am constantly stigmatised with having democratical principles because I venture to express fears that few amongst my acquaintances will permit themselves to entertain. You judged however perfectly right when you supposed I included you amongst the alarmists – I confess I have given you precedence in this respect and most firmly believed that you had increased the fears of my other friends – for if there was no solid reasoning in your arguments (and I admit that your letters abound with it). I know you have also much ingenuity of argumentation, with respect to the confiscation of property at Hamro’. I believe I expressed my fears of its consequences in my letters to your father in no small degree and I have also long since thought that it might be better for us that the French should attempt an invasion here (I would not have them go to Ireland if it could be avoided). I think we should yet struggle against a foe who have in every instance shown themselves a set of desperate ruffians in this I should trust more to our national antipathy to the French than to our being as you style us “an armed nation”. I disagree with you on that term, can we be said to be prepared when the officers are most on leave of absence …?

… Failing one of your own arguments that the annual rental of the Kingdom is not more than equal to the payment of the interest on the National Debt. If all were to reduce their own floating capital we should starve even without the assistance of insurrections etc. for we can only, now be said to exist upon what little trade we have left. I am therefore not so strongly an advocate for laying up dead stock – besides it is not easy to bring back the current when you have entirely turned its channel, change the Ministers tomorrow if you please, choose a parliament who will not try and evade the laws they make; our burdens will not then be so heavy – nor incurred with such a degree of levity – but if trade is acknowledged by all parties to be what we exist upon – do not by exaggeration of precedence totally annihilate it. Perhaps after daring to differ from you in opinion on such an essential point you will withdraw your panigyrick upon my evidence, but even though I view this risqué I must maintain my opinion till you have adduced arguments still stronger than you have not yet done in favour of distrust.

I have this instant got your prohibition through your father not to write to you – but when did you know a woman waive her right of talking? If therefore my inclination was slight before you may be sure the prohibition would have had its due weight on the scale of contradiction. I am however much obliged by it because it was in compassion to my health – my indisposition was more by a violent sick headache from perhaps rather too close application. A ride to the country with a days rest has reinstated me completely. I beg you will remember me very kindly to your father and Mrs Watt with many thanks for their kind enquiries as I have not time to write to him this evening.

The parcels came in abominably late that though we are all hands to the pumps as the sailors say we cannot have time to answer the letters and I must doubt whether we shall be in time with our letters tonight. Pray give my love to Mr M.R. Boulton (his father is very well) and believe me.

Dear Sir,
Sincerely yours,

C. Matthews”

Box 7

Correspondence : N-R (9 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder).

Principal items of interest include :

Letter from Joseph Priestly, Jnr. to James Watt, Jnr. [Muirhead IV. Box 7. N-R (Folder P2)].
Northumberland, Pennsylvania. Nov 20th 1794.

“My Dear Friend,

I have received your very friendly letter by Cooper. I wish I had any satisfactory apology to make for not writing for I am of opinion that a quarter of an hour can always be found to write to a friend. I have been terribly unhinged since I have been in this country, for I have been happier than in England and have been very much engaged in one speculation or other, particular the scheme of settlement which unfortunately has fallen through, yet I am not yet got into that regular course of life which alone will allow time for reflection and enable me to find quarters of hours for friendly correspondence or any other interesting objects.

I am concerned that you should be in such an unpleasant situation and considering your state of mind with respect to politics really wish you were in this country in which industry is better rewarded than in any country upon earth not but were I in your situation, unmarried and not likely to ever be so (as I firmly believe that you will die an old bachelor). I should prefer staying in England and … take my mite towards rooting those rascals Kings, Priests and Nobles from the face of the earth.

However, I will not enter upon the subject of politics, as you are better able to write to me about them than I am. I will only observe that I foresee with infinite pleasure the downfall of proud England, the establishment of the French Republic and the universal spread of equal rights and equal laws.

The grand scheme of settlement of which I was the projector has fallen through and I expect that many who do not know the facts will blame me, however I could not help it. The Humphries were the cause of its failure or of our not obtaining redress one of which must have supposed. They conceived the scheme not clearly to answer and would not act at all in the business and would not consent to a proposal. I made to have it to disinterested persons named by both parties to give their opinion respecting the quality of the land. They refused to act at all in the business the consequences of which was that Mr Vaughan and myself were placed in so awkward a situation that we could not act particularly as we had lands of our own little neighbourhood of the intended settlement and might have been supposed to have acted from interested motives had we urged the scheme. If I have time I will send you a copy of Nicholson’s letter to Cooper upon his arrival. With respect to Cooper you may depend I will do all I can to serve him but the filing of the scheme will render me less able to do anything than I was before. I esteem him much. I am really sorry for him. However, in this country he need be under no anxiety about his family. Children here are very valuable and I would here observe that this I the greatest boast of this country.

I am now settled at Northumberland, a most delightful situation, in the forks of the Susquehanna the river when both branches join being nearly a mile wide. I shall get a small farm in the neighbourhood of it and fix myself contentedly for life, not however without being interested in what is going forward in Europe. I am greatly delighted with the exertions made by the French and the grandeur of their proceedings. They attend to the improvements of the arts of peace as well as those of war and no object is there however great or however comparatively small that they do think worthy of attentions. It appears to me that the French Revolution is only the beginning of a general revolutionary system which will only die with the political errors that have given it birth. I dread the thoughts of a revolution in England.

I am confident that Englishmen desirous of securing their property and who wish to be spectators of the scenes taking place in Europe instead of actors in them cannot do better than remove to America and let me advise you my friend, when you command any property which you may do we long to come here. You will find means of employing your money very advantageously in a thousand ways and I do not hesitate in saying to double the advantage you can do in England. The truth of what I say will appear to you indubitable if you ponder the price of land in proportion to the happiness of which is (that of) not only of the farmer but of the artisan.

Should any of your friends wish to transfer part their fortune to America I could recommend to them a purchase of land to double itself in 3 or 4 years and which is to be sold under a guarantee to take back the property in 5 years should the purchaser not like the purchase giving him 8 percent for the use of his money. The price will be 6/ sterling per acre, ½ payable upon the deeds being made out, ½ after 6 months. Security to a sufficient amount being lodged in the hands of any person in Philadelphia or New York for the due performance of the contract. Mention it to any of your friends who you think may wish to have their property more securely and profitably than in property in England. Be so good as to send me any literary intelligence that you think has not reached this country and an account of any improvements in the arts. What is this new process of tanning my mineral astringents made use of in Yorkshire. Send me a particular account of it.

Give my best respects to all enquiring friends and believe me.

Yours very sincerely,

Joseph Priestly, Jnr.”

Letter from John Rennie to James Watt, Esq. Jnr. [Muirhead IV. Box 7. N-R (Folder R1)]. London, April 23 1803.

“Dear Sir,

There was printed by order of the House of Commons some days since Mr Telford’s report on the Caledonian Canal etc. in which I see no mention of your father. Mr Addington yesterday in the House of Commons moved that the consideration of this report be referred to Select Committee. It is therefore probable the above scheme may be carried into execution and as I doubt from his silence on your father’s survey, it is meant to take the whole merit to himself. Now is the time for to bring forward Mr Watt’s claim. Let me know what you mean to do in this matter and I will try to procure you the report published by the Fishery Society.

I shall send one of the House of Commons reports to Mr Woodward for you.

Dear Sir,

Truly yours,

John Rennie

P.S. Mr Cranford of Greenock wrote to your father sometime since but has never as yet got any answer – he seems much hurt about it.”

Letter from John Rennie to James Watt Esq., Soho, Birmingham. [Muirhead IV. Box 7. N-R. (Folder R2)]. London, Sept 5 1816.

“Dear Sir,

I have wrote to Mr Salmon that we shall be with him on Monday next at nine o’clock in the morning and I hope the business will be got done in time to reach London the same night.

I have left all arrangements respecting our journey until your arrival, except that Lord Me’ville is to give me a letter to our Ambassador Sir Charles Stewart, by which we will get a sight of the dock yards of Toulon, Brest and Cherbourg – the Admiralty of this country, having just now given orders through the French ambassador for one of the hyeneas to see our dock yards.

I remain,

Dear Sir,

Truly yours John Rennie

P.S. I sleep at Woburn on Sunday night.”

Box 8

Correspondence : S-T (9 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder).

Box 9

Correspondence : U, V, Y, Z and W (1-9) (10 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder).

Box 10

Correspondence : W (10-21) (12 folders – for a complete listing of each individual letter with date and name of correspondent, please see microfilm and refer to the outside cover of each folder).

Boxes 11-19 : Family Correspondence and Papers

Principal items of interest include :

Box 11

Papers of Thomas Watt, 1694-1733 and Papers of James Watt of Greenock, c1714-1781.

Box 12

Papers of James Watt of Greenock : Lord Cathcart’s correspondence with James Watt of Greenock, 1757-1766 (including material on the American colonies) (2 folders).
Letters from James Watt of Greenock to his son, John Watt, Jnr. 1759-1762 (3 folders).
Accounts, 1756-1774 (8 folders).
Accounts, Miscellaneous, 1727-1785 (1 folder).

Box 13

Papers of John Watt, Senior 1720-1762
(see Contents of Reels listing for more information).

Box 14

MIV/14/1 : Notebook of John Watt, Snr. containing : (i) a treatise on dialling; (ii) military architecture or fortification; (iii) principles of mechanics; (iv) Essai du choc des corps; (v) Geography; (vi) navigation; and (vii) various notes on dialling and algebra 1719-1723.

MIV/14/2-3 : Notebooks of John Watt, Snr. containing :
: /2 : an introduction to book-keeping
: /3 : an introduction to music and writings from the Bible. 1724.

MIV/14/4 : Cash book of John Watt, Snr. (Records payment by pupils for lessons in writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, navigation etc.). 1724-1725.

MIV/14/5 : The same. 1726-1727.

MIV/14/6 : The same. 1728-1731.

MIV/14/7 : Paper showing an account of debts due for school wages to John Watt. 1724-1732.

MIV/14/8 : Cash book of John Watt, Snr. (Records payment by pupils for lesson in writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, navigation etc.). 1732-1734.

MIV/14/9 : An introduction to book-keeping with a new scheme of recording business by John Watt. 1730.

MIV/14/10 : Description and use of the planetary system etc. n.d. [?1720s].

MIV/14/11 : Measuring of timber. n.d. [?1720s].

MIV/14/12/1-44 : Pages of notes on mathematic, military problems, astronomy, theory of tides, surveying, geometry etc. NB [includes a piece of paper printed in Chinese]. n.d. [?1720s].

MIV/14/13 : The Scots Arithmetician or Arithmetick in all its parts by James Paterson, Mathematician (Edinburgh, 1685). [Includes notes of dates of marriage, death etc. of wife and children of John Watt, Snr.]. [1737].

MIV/14/14 : Bill of lading at Port Stornaway. 6 December 1736.

MIV/14/15 : Gift of money by legacy to William Gray, writer of Edinburgh. [James Watt of Greenock cited as party to a bond]. 11 February 1756.

MIV/14/16-17 : Notebooks of James Watt of Greenock containing : travel expenses to Tarbert, Islay etc. for surveying and various expenses. 1765-1773.

Boxes 15-18

James Watt : Letters to his wife and son (30 folders).

Please see Contents of Reels for summary of contents of each folder. There are many very interesting items describing Watt’s travels and activities, family matters and business engagements. The following is a typical example :

Letter from James Watt to his wife. Box 15. Folder 1 of 30.

“ Chacewater, January 3 1780

Dear Annie,

Since I wrote to you last I have the pleasure of one of yours and am very glad to hear that you and the children continue well. You complain of bad weather, it has been very severe here but no snow, it is now become fine mild weather again and we have the advantage of being able to read without candles to near five o’clock after noon. Wheel Chance and Poldice engines are both gone to work tolerably prosperously hitherto, only Wheel Chance has broke a rod and Poldice has dropped the balance Bobb last night which will soon be repaired. Dolcoath engine has also broke the main rod and done much mischief on Friday last.

We had a meeting with Hallamanin last Friday and have come to a sort of conclusion with them if they can be got to stand to it for a week until the agreement be executed – it was 12 o’clock at night before we concluded anything with them after which we went to bed but Mr Wilson and others kept it up till 5 in the morning, by which he got a fever and a sore throat since the former corrected the latter, it is said that company will be dissolved. We have now only the limited mines and wheel treasury agreement to execute both which will be done the next week- Poldice will be long in forking, the water being very heavy there at present at 27 fathoms in both the old engines disabled so as to do us little good – Wheel Chance has got down 24 fathoms out of 104. There is ½ a dozen people speaking to me at present and I am obliged to go over to Poldice – so goodnight.

Compliments to all friends.

Sincerely yours.

James Watt”

Box 18 also includes 3 additional miscellaneous folders of James Watt Papers.

Box 19

Letters of John Watt, Jnr. to his father, James Watt of Greenock, 1755-1762 (3 folders). Papers concerning the death of John Watt, Jnr. 1763-1764 (1 folder).

Boxes 20-21 : Canal Papers

Papers re : Calculations and dimensions for the Monkland Canal, c1770-1772 (5 folders).
Decrets Arbitral and letters about canal business and valuation of lands, c1771-1776 (2 folders).

James Watt’s accounts re: canal business, 1770-1772 (4 folders). Monkland canal papers, 1770-1773 (4 folders). Monkland canal accounts, 1770-1772 (8 folders). Letters sent with remittances, 1771-1772; articles and petitions etc. (1 folder).
Canal papers – 3 bundles, miscellaneous items (1 folder).

<back