| Description | John Sturges & Co. were ironfounders, of the Bowling Iron Works, near Bradford, in Yorkshire. In 1793 James Lawson reported to Boulton & Watt that Sturges & Co. had made and were themselves using engines that infringed Watt’s patent. Sturges & Co. also made an engine for Wilkinson Holdforth & Paley of Leeds, and one for Richard Paley, also of Leeds. Paley was also a partner in Sturges & Co.
In 1796 Boulton & Watt began legal action against Sturges & Co. with the assistance of a Leeds attorney, Lucas Nicholson. An injunction was taken out against Sturges & Co. in the Court of Chancery, and after some negotiation Sturges & Co. agreed to pay premiums on the engines they had erected. Wilkinson Holdforth & Paley replaced their Sturges & Co. engine with a Boulton & Watt sun and planet engine in 1797—1798. |