| Description | Under this head are grouped the records of those Soho firms, of which only one or two records survive. Surviving Records of the partnership of Boulton & Scale will be found among the Additions (MS 3782/21).
Boulton & Smiths.
The partnership of Boulton & Smiths, commonly known as the Latchet Company, was formed on 31 May 1793, the partners being Matthew Boulton and the brothers Benjamin and James Smith. On 2 Nov. 1801 an inventory of stock was taken, and about that time—probably at the end of the year—the old partnership was dissolved and a new one was begun under the style of Boulton & Smith. This firm appears to have been closed by the end of the decade, but the books remained open till 1819. In 1821 a William Shaw of Birmingham wrote to Matthew Robinson Boulton suggesting that the trade might be revived, but this suggestion was not pursued.
The books of both partnerships were kept by William D. Brown, but only the Cash Book of the later one survives. References in this book indicate that it was formerly accompanied by a ledger and journal for the same period. A complete list of the ledger accounts, compiled from cross-references in the cash book, is provided as an Appendix to this List.
Matthew Boulton’s file of correspondence with Richard Chippindall includes copies of a few letters written by James Watt Jr. on behalf of this firm, together with Chippindall’s replies. There is also a file of papers and correspondence relating to the partnership, the latchet works at Soho Manufactory and the dissolution of the old partnership in Matthew Boulton’s Correspondence and Papers (MS 3782/12/106).
Soho Rolling Mill.
These records comprise a Ledger and a Journal, each covering the period from 1805 to 1818. They appear to relate to the Rolling Mill at Soho, and to date from a period before the Rolling Mill accounts were incorporated with those of the Mint; but these points have not yet been fully investigated – see the Records of the Soho Mint (MS 3782/3) for further papers relating to the rolling mill.
There is also a bundle of account balances and charges, from 1802 to 1815. This bundle appears to have been passed to John Robinson at some point.
M. Boulton & Plate Company.
Little is known of the history of this firm, and of its records only two books have survived.
The Letter Book (1815-1819) contains press-copies of letters issued on the firm’s behalf by William D. Brown. The Burnishing Book (1815-1823) contains weekly accounts of work done by burnishers. The names of the burnishers (all female) were Ann Hawksford, Ann Beckwith, Mary Eginton, Hannah Moseley, Elizabeth Warwick, Phoebe Bates, Ann Pickering, Lucy Vale, Sarah Willets (later Sarah Moseley, and later still Sarah Withers), Maria Blythe, Elizabeth Eginton (later Elizabeth Hill), Mary Ann Eginton, Sarah Pugh, Maria Matthews, and Maria Bragg.
Two files of papers and memoranda relating to M. Boulton & Plate Co. will also be found among the Miscellaneous Cashiers’ and Agents’ Records (MS 3782/10).
M. R. Boulton (Button Company).
Under this head is listed a Letter Book relating to the button trade at Soho, and dating from the period when that manufacture was carried on under the agency of John Bownas. The correct name of this firm is not certain; letters were issued in the name of M. R. Boulton per Bownas. |