Peter Atherton (manufacturer)

Peter Atherton (1741-1799) was a British designer of instruments,[1] an inventor, a manufacturer of textile machinery, and a cotton mill proprietor.[2]

Career

Atherton was a successful instrument and engine maker,[3] and made textile machinery during the eighteenth century.[4] The first spinning mill to rely solely on steam power were not a commercial success. However, the first successful designs have been attributed to Atherton; a Warrington machine builder, and who helped Sir Richard Arkwright during his early years.[5]

Atherton’s mills had 3000 spindles and were powered by 30 horse power rotary engines.[6] Like most entrepreneurs, he experienced early difficulties in recruiting capital. Initially he enlisted the help of William Harrison, a Manchester manufacturer, and later a J&T Hodgson, Liverpool merchants.[7]

Atherton & Co was a leading manufacturer of cotton spinners, with locations in Warrington, Manchester and Liverpool. He was a proprietor of the Salford Engine Twist Company, in partnership with George Augustus Lee.[8] Atherton also owned a cotton mill in Chipping, Lancashire and had part ownership of another mill in Warrington, Cheshire.

Relationship with Richard Arkwright

To put this into historical context; the spinning frame was an Industrial Revolution invention for spinning thread or yarn from fibres such as wool or cotton in a mechanized way. It was developed in 18th-century Britain by Richard Arkwright and John Kay (a clockmaker).

Atherton was approached in January 1768 by John Kay and Richard Arkwright (who at the time was an entrepreneur) for both financial,[9] and technical assistance in creating a model of a spinning machine.[10][11][12][13]

Atherton at first refused to conduct business with them, owing to Arkwright's poverty stricken appearance, however he later relented and loaned two workmen to make the heavier parts of the machine. A working model was successfully produced and was patented in 1769 by Richard Arkwright.

Machinery patents

In July 1792, Atherton of Hunter Street, Liverpool registered a patent for a machine for twisting, winding and doubling silk, cotton and wool. This patent, # 1896, was issued just one month before Arkwright’s death. [14] The original duration of the patent was for 14 years. However it is unknown as to whether it was renewed, by his estate since it was listed as an extant parent in 1856. Patent # 2036 was also for a machine for winding wool and cotton and was issued on 29 January 1795.

Atherton’s Liverpool tax records from 1798 also record him trading from Hunter Street.

Personal

Atherton was born in Garston, Liverpool on 29 Jun 1741; the son of William Atherton (1717-1746) and Ann Tatlock. He married Bridget Foster at St Peter's Church, Liverpool on 29 November 1759.[15]

Death

Atherton continued working until his death. He died in Harrogate, on 16 August 1799, aged 60 years. He was buried at Christ Church, Harrogate on 20 Aug 1799. A few months after Atherton’s death, his cotton mills and machinery were advertised for sale.[16]

References
  1. Albert Edward Musson (1969). Science and Technology in the Industrial Revolution. ISBN 9782881243820.
  2. Katrina Honeyman (2007). Child Workers in England, 1780–1820-Parish Apprentices and the Making of the Early Industrial Labour Force. ISBN 9781317167952.
  3. Bennet Woodcroft (1854). Titles of Patents of Invention, Chronologically Arranged: From March 2, 1617-1852.
  4. Patents Office (1875). "The Commissioners of Patents' Journal".
  5. J.P.P. Higgins, Sidney Pollard (3 November 2005). Aspects of Capital Investment in Great Britain, 1750-1850: A Preliminary Survey. ISBN 9780415378529.
  6. J.P.P. Higgins, Sidney Pollard (3 November 2005). Aspects of Capital Investment in Great Britain, 1750-1850: A Preliminary Survey. ISBN 9780415378529.
  7. Honeyman, Katrina (1982). Origins of Enterprise: Business Leadership in the Industrial Revolution. Manchester University Press. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7190-0873-3.
  8. Robert S. Fitton (1989). The Arkwrights: Spinners of Fortune. p. 149. ISBN 9780719026461.
  9. Katrina Honeyman (1982). Origins of Enterprise: Business Leadership in the Industrial Revolution. ISBN 9780719008733.
  10. Spartacus Educational (2020). "Spartacus Educational: The Industrial Revolution-The textile System-Richard Arkwright)".
  11. James Bischoff (2000). Comprehensive History of the Woollen and Worsted Manufacturers. ISBN 9781136941108.
  12. De Bow’s (1853). "De Bow's Review: An Industrial Journal - Monthly July 1853".
  13. De Bow (1853). "De Bow's Review, Volume 15-New Orleans Edition".
  14. H.M. Stationery Office (1856). "English Patents of Inventions Specification #1896 - AD1792".
  15. "Atherton One Name Study entry for Peter Arherton".
  16. "Peter Atherton bio on Graces Guide".
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