| Description | Letters relating to a steam engine for Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley, Bart., of Drakelow Hall, from 1789 to 1795 and 1801. Sir Nigel bought the engine for his colliery at Apedale in Staffordshire. It was erected by Peter Ewart. The correspondence includes letters from Ewart and from Sir Nigel’s foreman, Edward Eardley, but the majority are docketed as Sir Nigel Gresley.
The bundle originally contained correspondence from 1790 to 1801. The style of the wrapper suggests that the bundle was created in the 1800s, probably from letters removed from the General Incoming Correspondence series for 1785—1795 and 1788—1798. At some point, the letters from 1790 to 1793 docketed by John Southern were replaced in the 1788—1798 series. However the two halves have again been reunited in one bundle.
See also the General Incoming Correspondence 1785—1795 E (3/389) for further letters from Edward Eardley on the construction of the engine. For drawings of the engine see Portfolio 5/48. |