NOTES ON JOHN SYMINGTON OF LEADHILLS AND HIS SONS, GEORGE AND WILLIAM,  WITH  OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANTIPATHY OF JAMES WATT

William Symington had formed the intention to become a mechanical engineer from an early age. [1] His father was an engine mechanic and supervisor with the Scots Mines Company at Leadhills. His elder brother George also worked as a mechanic or engine carpenter at Leadhills before he was engaged as the engineer to the Wanlockhead mines.

William Symington's parents were John Symington and Grissel Dickon (or Dixon). Their daughter Margaret was baptised in Wanlockhead in 1757. From 1759 to 1761 they were living in New Cumnock, where two sons, each named John, were born. In his Memorial to Parliament, dated 1824, William wrote that he was born in Leadhills in 1764. Old Parochial Records contain no entry for his birth or baptism or that of his brother George who would have been a good decade older than William. Margaret married a miner, John Williamson, and they raised a family in Leadhills. 

Original records of the Symington family at Leadhills are very scant indeed. Symingtons were early members of the Curling Societies at Leadhills and Wanlockhead. The Journal Book for the Society for Ice playing at Leadhills, which dates from 1784, lists William Symington as a member of the Society that year and John Symington is recorded as a subscriber. William and George were members of the Wanlockhead Ice Curling Society, the records of which date back to 1777. George is not recorded as a member at Leadhills. Andrew Symington, an overseer for the Wanlockhead mines in the 1770's, was probably another elder brother to William (see section on near relatives).

JOHN SYMINGTON

In a letter to the Mechanics' Magazine, the London engine manufacturer Jonathan Dickson revealed that William Symington's father held the position of mines supervisor and mechanic at Leadhills (see the notes on Jonathan Dickson below). [2]

There is no firm record, but James Watt may have encountered John Symington when he visited Leadhills in about 1770. James Stirling was the manager of the Scots Mines Company when Watt attended to view the pumping operations on the Susanna vein. Watt spent the greater part of that morning underground with the overseers. [3] In 1786, John Symington called on James Watt at Birmingham: Watt wrote to Matthew Boulton on 20 March 1786 "had Mr. S. Senior with me all day on L Hills business" [4]

Mining company records confirm that John Symington was on the payroll of the Scots Mines Company in the early 1770's. An entry in the bargain book which covers the period from 1770 to 1773 includes John Symington in a list of employees, with various amounts owed to them. [5] At the foot of that list are the names "Jo., G. and Margt. Symington". The heading and exact date have been obscured due to damage to the top of the page. The nature of Margaret's employment is unknown.

Toward the back of the Mining Journal for the same period of 1770 to 1773, there is an obscure undated record headed "News money" which links together the names "Jo. and Geo. Symington" within what appears to be a list of subscribers. Against the names of Mines Company employees are small sums ranging from three pence to 2/6. The amount for John and George Symington combined is six pence. [6] This record alone confirms that George Symington was associated with the Mines Company at Leadhills as early as 1773, a full decade before the birth of his younger brother William.

There is no record to indicate when George Symington commenced as an engine carpenter. The early bargain books of the Mines Company make only an occasional reference to engine carpenters. In 1738 Thomas Forrester was employed as an Engine Carpenter who was erecting a new water driven engine on the Susanna vein. [7] In October 1740 Mr. Lowthian is mentioned in respect of the old Meadowhead engine had been under repair. [8] The pumps of the Meadowhead engine were repaired by Thomas Allan in March 1741.[9] On 4 September 1741, the overseer hired an engine carpenter from near Durham on a salary of £35 per annum. He had been recommended as "a very good hand" but is not mentioned by name.[10] The journal entry for 10 October 1744 reports: "the Carpenters are working at the Meadowhead Engine, they having finished the Stamp mill which will begin to go regularly in a few days…" [11] and, on 19 March 1745: "the Engineers are working at the Engines with all possible diligence." [12] Thereafter, no carpenters or engineers employed by the Mines Company are mentioned by name.

GEORGE SYMINGTON

George was employed as an engine carpenter with the Scots Mines Company at Leadhills in the 1770's. The Company gave him two years' leave from 1 January 1776 in order to gain further experience as an engineer. George signed that agreement with the company overseers on 1st September 1775. [13] Oddly, he omitted the letter "t" from his signature. He was a practical mechanic who may not have been in the habit of putting pen to paper. 

On taking leave from the Scots Mines Company, George accepted an appointment with the Birmingham firm of Boulton and Watt to work on the Watt engine which was to be built in 1776 for the colliery of Peter Colville at Torryburn, on the north side of the firth of Forth. This was the first Watt engine erected in Scotland. Thereafter, George was retained to build a Watt engine which was erected on the Margaret mine at Wanlockhead in 1779. 

At Torryburn, George was employed to assist Logan Henderson, who was the first technical assistant to work for Boulton and Watt. Henderson turned out to be a totally unpleasant character.  He had been an officer in the 31st Company of marines, and he was afterwards a sugar planter in Dominica where he had gained experience in surveying and working with machinery. However, the relationship with Boulton and Watt turned sour and Henderson's employment was terminated in 1783. Gilbert Meason, the managing partner of the Wanlockhead mines, flatly refused to have Henderson work on his new engine at Wanlockhead. 

Writing to Boulton and Watt from Edinburgh on 23 June 1778, Meason indicated his confidence in the abilities of George Symington. [14] Preparing to receive delivery of the parts for the Wanlockhead engine Meason wrote: "My man Symington thinks he wd. be under no difficulty to compleat & sett the engine in motion. Mr Henderson would find it very uncomfortable. I shall know this week whether I can gett an oak log to Mr Wales dimension for the beam, of which you shall be advised as the vessel from Hamburg is now unloading." [15] By then, the construction was well under way; Meason had engaged a smith to build the boiler and requested that there be no delay in transporting engine parts from the Soho works in Birmingham.

In corresponding with his partner Matthew Boulton, James Watt made frequent mention of Henderson's ill temper. Writing from Redruth, Cornwall on August 22nd 1778, Watt made the following observations on Henderson's performance at Torryburn, qualified by a gratuitous and sarcastic remark about George Symington: 

"I wrote you that Mr Meason objects most strenuously to having Mr H. He says he has been told that H. was of no use at Torryburn & would not have got the Engine sett agoing without his man Symington & that therefore he cannot be answerable to his employers for having him and would rather have some operative man as he has already too many Gentlemen Overseers- I am afraid that H's operations at Torryn. gave too much reason for this, and the tongue of malice has heightened the picture- Be that as it may it would be using it very ill to send him to any place where there was such a want of Confidence in him & where ye commn. miscarriages would be exaggerated to his predjudice- Besides I know his accommodations would be very bad & I am sorry to hear his health continues bad- I therefore this day wrote to Meason that he shall not be sent, but that we have nobody else fitt the purpose but who have prior engagements so that he must put up with the abilities of Symington whom he is so full of- I shall send such directions as will keep them out of great Blunders and lesser ones must be corrected the first opportunity …" [16]

Moreover, Boulton later wrote of Henderson as "most diabolical & shows his heart is fraught with every hatred & malice; with ingratitude, with dishonour, & every thing that is base." [17]   In his letters to Watt, Boulton frequently complained about Henderson whom he code-named ‘Wasp’. [18]

Ultimately, Boulton and Watt engaged the celebrated engineer William Murdoch to superintend the work and to commission the Wanlockhead engine. Murdoch arrived at Wanlockhead on 28 March 1779.  The engine was set going on 8 May 1779. [19]

Watt's mockery notwithstanding, Meason's ongoing correspondence with Boulton and Watt reveals that he continued to have every confidence in the abilities of George Symington whom he retained thereafter as his engineer on the Wanlockhead mines.

ONGOING CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MEASON AND BOULTON AND WATT

On 7 September 1782 Meason sent a lengthy report to Boulton and Watt. He wrote of his concern about the condition of a new piston rod after the original rod had to be replaced because of corrosion.  Samples of water had been sent to Dr. Black in Edinburgh for analysis. Meason had the engine inspected by George Symington who thought various components had been adversely affected by the steam; he passed George's findings on to Watt: 

"had the engine inspected & Symington's report (our Engineer) & the parts he thinks that are injured by the steam are

The Spindle & Chain of Top Valve

The Spindle & Chain of Steam valve

The Spindle and Chain of Exhausting Valve

The Piston rod with piston ring & Springs …

Meason noted also that George Symington favoured the use of unrendered tallow from the butcher as a sealant and lubricant.

The engine on the Margaret mine was working to full capacity but Gilbert Meason wished to go 30 or 40 fathoms deeper. Meason had been considering whether to invest in a second subsidiary engine or to purchase a larger and more powerful engine to replace the original Margaret mine engine and on 21 July 1783, he wrote to Watt, seeking his opinion. [20]

On 27 November 1784, Meason again wrote to Watt for his opinion, adding "after consulting with Geo. Symington, we are of opinion to have one Engine of greater power to serve for all, & we are incline to have that Engine with power to go 30 or even 40 fathoms …" That submission may not have been well received. Indeed, Watt failed to reply.

On 8 January 1785, having received no response, Meason wrote to Watt again, reiterating his query, and asking also if the casting could be done at Carron, which would save time and expense. As if to stir the hornet's nest, Meason added "we plan to make the present Engine pitt firm as Symington thinks he can manage it" 

 WATT'S ANTIPATHY

James Watt was a prolific letter writer. The mountain of correspondence which is held in the Boulton and Watt Archive in Birmingham reveals a good deal about his character and his state of mind. 

Watt's correspondence with Boulton, Professor Joseph Black and others, reveals that the great engineer was subject to extreme melancholy. Legal proceedings against competing engine builders in the 1790's left Watt depleted in spirit. Watt's biographer, James Muirhead, documented his history of debilitating headaches and of depression. Watt's writings reveal a prickly and often miserable man who was pre-occupied with his state of health.  His commentary concerning his competitors reveals a level of paranoia verging on pathologic. He wrote in most disparaging terms about his rivals in the field of engine construction whom he referred to as "pirates".

Writing on 24 April 1790 to Patrick Miller's solicitor, regarding Miller's proposed steam navigation scheme, Watt offered totally unnecessary derogatory remarks about Lord Stanhope who had experimented with steamboats: “It may not be improper to mention that Earl Stanhope has lately taken a patent for moving a vessel by steam, but not by wheels. His Lordship has also applied to us for engines; but we believe we are not likely to agree with him, as he lays too much stress upon his own ingenuity." [21]

Watt's treatment of his valued employee, William Murdoch, revealed an unpleasant devious and underhand streak. In 1784, on learning from Boulton that Murdoch was working on a model steam carriage, [22] Watt appropriated the idea of a steam carriage which he duly incorporated in his own patent which he had under preparation.

Watt demonstrated a degree of contempt, antagonism, even hostility, toward the Symington brothers. He was contemptuous of George whom he felt was overconfident in his abilities. Watt regarded William Symington as a competitor in the field of steam engine manufacture, a builder of "pirate" engines which were designed to circumvent Watt's patented idea of the separate condenser. Watt maintained that William Symington's engines were inferior. (see separate section on pirate engines)

WATT ON GEORGE SYMINGTON

In relation to George Symington's employment on the 1779 Wanlockhead engine, Watt wrote:

James Watt to William Murdoch 3 June 1779

“It gives me great pleasure to learn you have succeeded so well and so much to Mr Meason’s satisfaction-I did not expect that the Engine could go on without some accident and it was very well that George had the mortification to have it happen on his hand I thought he was too confident of success, a proper degree of diffidence never hurts, however as you have got the victory I doubt not that you will use it with moderation and behave civilly towards him.” [23]

Watt to Gilbert Meason 12 June 1779

“Symington’s principal fault seems to have been an over confidence in himself and possibly some kind of envy at Willm (Murdoch) as being his countryman… "

“Symmington (sic) … has manifested a great deal of ingenuity and abilities in what he has done, and in adhering to his directions I formerly sent he was not to blame, but he ought to have considered that Murdoch had an opportunity of knowing my mind of a later date than the directions and certainly would be foolish enough to controvert any orders without reason.”  [24]

WATT ON WILLIAM SYMINGTON

THE SYMINGTON STEAM CARRIAGE 1786 

Watt voiced his annoyance that his employee William Murdoch continued to work independently on a model steam carriage. He was also well aware of William Symington's steam carriage experiments and was dismissive:

12 September 1786 Watt to Boulton:  "I am extremely sorry that W.M. (Murdoch) still busys himself with the Stm Carriage … in the meantime I wish W. could be brought to do as we do, to mind the business in hand, & let such as Symn (i.e. Symington) & Sadr (Sadlier) throw away their time and money hunting shadows." [25]

Professor Joseph Black had commented on the Symington steam carriage in a letter to Watt in August 1786. The renowned Professor knew of the Symington model steam carriage but had no interest in seeing it. For reasons unexplained he had little admiration for the Symington brothers. It seems that he considered them as amateurs and their invention to be of no consequence.

Joseph Black to James Watt [26]

The transcript of Black's letter, unsigned and undated, but endorsed in Watt's hand "Dr. Black August 1786" and commencing "My dear Watt" included, among other things, comment about the importance of regular exercise, and an enquiry about a varnish for a mahogany tub; then the following: "In the end of April last I had the pleasure to see two of your men very good like lads who had called on me at your desire. One of them talked a little of your haveing a Scheme among you for makeing waggons travel by means of your Engine. Are you serious in such a design? Some of Gilbt Measons men have been working at it and have made a small model but I have not such an opinion of their heads as to have much curiosity to see their model. it is reported they have taken a patent for it"

Concerned that a Symington engine would be erected at Wanlockhead after the original Watt engine on the Margaret mine had been decommissioned, on 28 September 1787, Watt grumbled "as soon as they can rely fully on the new engine, the old one is to be pulled down and Symington is to put up one of his in the engine house, and on that answering ours is to be stopt" 

In support of Watt, on 1 October 1787, Matthew Boulton wrote reassuringly from Chacewater, a village in Cornwall, to James Watt in Birmingham, in relation to alleged patent infringements: "as to Symington's new Engine I have no doubt but it will go the same road as his Wheel Carg. & therefore don't vex but let it go." [27]

Watt referred to Murdoch's steam carriage in his letter to Boulton dated 6 October 1787 and alleged that the Symington brothers "were struck dumb about the wheel carriage by a letter of WM (Murdoch) to some of his friends informing them that he had made such a carriage & had a patent for it." [28] That was a strange assertion, given that Murdoch did not take out any patent for a steam carriage.

James Watt to Patrick Miller's Edinburgh lawyer Robert Cullen 24 April 1790:

"From what we heard of Mr. Symington's engines, we are disposed to consider them as attempts to evade our exclusive privilege; but as we thought them so defective in mechanical contrivance, as not to be likely to do us immediate injury we thought it best to leave them to be judged by Dame Nature first, before we brought them into an earthly court."

A LETTER FROM JONATHAN DICKSON IN SUPPORT OF WILLIAM SYMINGTON

A letter which was published in the Mechanics' Magazine in 1833 established that William Symington's father was a mechanic and that he was employed as a supervisor at the Leadhills mines (see transcript below). [29] The author, J. Dickson wrote to the editor in support of William Symington as being "the first person who applied steam to move a carriage as well as to propel a boat." The author of this letter was Jonathan Dickson 1778-1838 who was an engineer of some standing, an inventor and engine builder. He had known William Symington personally for over thirty years. His comment that William Symington had taught him the rudiments of mechanics would suggest that Dickson had been his assistant or apprentice. William Symington erected several steam engines in London from the early 1790's. Jonathan Dickson may have learnt his trade on these engines. He and his elder brother John (1774-1843) manufactured steam-engines in London. Their firm, John and Jonathan Dickson, Steam Engine Makers, had a manufactory in Maid-Lane, Southwark. In 1798, John Dickson, then at Dockland, Surrey, had patented his method of "constructing steam engines, pumps, and other hydraulic machines". [30] Their partnership was dissolved by mutual consent in 1806. [31] Thereafter, Jonathan Dickson built steam engines from his premises in Holland Street, Southwark. [32]

In 1808 Jonathan Dickson was awarded patent number 3181 for his invention of the "Construction of tuns, coolers, vats and backs, used by brewers, distillers, and others." He had several other patents, including his 1837 patent number 7439 for "Steam-engines; generating steam" in which steam was reheated after being used in the cylinder. [33] Jonathan Dickson also pursued an interest in steam boats: in 1816, the Society of Arts awarded him the Silver Medal for his Method of propelling Steam-boats. [34] The Society awarded him another silver medal in 1818 for his invention of a means of raising and lowering the paddle wheels of steam vessels. [35] [36]

Jonathan and John Dickson were born in West Linton, Peeblesshire, south of Edinburgh. their parents were Jonathan Dickson and Margaret Young. John Dickson erected the first steam engine in Australia. He sailed to Port Jackson in 1813 with a steam engine from Maid Lane and set up a flour mill at Cockle Bay. [37] A colourful character, he had a number of children with his housekeeper; he was charged with forgery but, while awaiting trial, he left the Colony in haste in September 1833 and returned to London. [38]

THE LATE WILLIAM SYMINGTON, AND THE INVENTION OF STEAM-BOATS AND STEAM-CARRIAGES.

            Sir, - I have noticed, with pleasure, the assistance you have given, from time to time in your valuable Publication, to the friends of Mr. Symington, in their laudable endeavours to show that he was not only the inventor of steam locomotion, but the first person who applied steam to move a carriage as well as to propel a boat. Whatever other persons may have talked about it, or pretended to do, I know not, but I knew Mr. Symington for more than thirty years successively, and I am sure if a James Taylor, or any other person, had had any pretension to the invention I must have heard of it. I also knew Messrs. Stanton (sic), Carlow (sic), Weir, and others mentioned in this business, and I never heard them speak of Taylor as the inventor. Mr. Symington was a very clever and intelligent man, and fully capable of doing what has been said of him. His father was a practical mechanic and superintendent of the Mining Company at Lead Hills, where Mr. Watt erected a pumping engine. Here was an excellent opportunity, for an ingenious youth from college, to improve his ideas; and, certain it is, young Symington was not slow in availing himself of it. It is well established, that almost before he was a man he produced one of the greatest improvements on the steam-engine which had at that time been proposed, and which placed him the very next to Watt. Had he only met with a Boulton, &c., he might, probably, have numbered engines with his great rival. It appears that his genius was not only displayed in inventing an useful engine, but that that engine was so totally different from Mr. Watt's, that no infringement could be proved, "wide as the circle was that Mr. Watt had drawn around his invention. The sketch, however, which you have given of Mr. Symington's engine, in your Journal of the 24th of July last, is rather imperfect, as there is one valve wanting, and other things reversed. It, nevertheless, exhibits sufficiently that beautiful idea of a medium piston, with which Mr. Symington could produce a finer vacuum in the cylinder than Mr. Watt could do by his separate condenser and air pump, and also without cooling the cylinder at every stroke, by the injection water, as the common engines at the time did do; and I can assure you, that Mr. Symington's engine could do any given quantity of labour with as little fuel as Mr. Watt's and that Mr. Symington's could lift more on each square in the area in the piston, than Mr. Watt's engine. I have also to inform you, that Mr. Symington's engine was not confined to pumping only; but that it was successfully applied to drive machinery in different parts of the United Kingdom. Some were also sent to the Indies, and several were erected about London. After Mr. Symington's first patent, as well as that of Mr. Watt, had expired (for they both ended about the same time), Mr. Symington was amongst the first (1801) to alter the shape of steam-engines, so they should occupy less room, and be applicable to vessels in general. This may justly be called the real commencement of steam navigation. Here I must observe, that Mr. Symington was then called almost a madman, because he had employed about a ten horse power engine to propel a boat, viz. the "Charlotte Dundas;" although now it is common to have more than ten times that power on board. I can also assure you, that Mr. Fulton got his first knowledge about steam-boats from Mr. Symington, and this I had occasion to assert publicly sometimes. Mr. Bell, and all the others about Glasgow, had also their first steam-boat knowledge from the same source. May I add, that I learnt myself the rudiments of mechanism under Mr. Symington; and, I believe, you know that I have added a few items to the useful arts.

I remain, Sir,

                                    J. Dickson, Engineer,

                                    60, Holland-street, Southwark,

            Sept 14, 1833.

[1] National Archive Kew, Treasury Board Papers and In-Letters T1/2424 

[2] Dickson, J., Letter published in Mechanics' Magazine Number 529 28 September 1833 Volume 19 pages 463-464, and reproduced in Rankine, J. and W.H., Biography of William Symington Falkirk 1862, pages 37-39

[3] BRL Boulton & Watt Collection MS 3147/3/382 Letter to James Watt from William Hamilton, secretary of the Mines Company, dated 15 January 1778; attached description of the works at Leadhills, signed by James Stirling

[4] Dickinson, H. W., Some Unpublished Letters of James Watt, Excerpt. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., October 1915 pages 516-517

[5] Leadhills Library Bargain Book LML 031 page 176 (image 357)

[6] Leadhills Library Mining Journal LML 008 page 194 (image 424)

[7] Leadhills Library Mining Journals LML 001 page 17, 26 May 1739

[8] Leadhills Library Mining Journals LML 001 page 81 

[9] Leadhills Library Mining Journals LML 001 page 100

[10] Leadhills Library Mining Journals LML 001 page 125

[11] Leadhills Library Mining Journals LML 002 page 97

[12] Ibid page 121

[13] Leadhills Library Bargain Book LML 032 page 159

[14] BRL Boulton and Watt Collection MS 3143/3/511

[15] BRL Boulton and Watt Collection MS 3143/3/511 letter number 1

[16] Dickinson, H. W., Some unpublished letters of James Watt. Excerpt Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., London October 1915 page 504

[17] Wolfson Centre for Archival Research, Library of Birmingham (WCAR), Boulton & Watt Collection (B&WC) MS 3147/3/7/5, Matthew Boulton (London) to James Watt (Birmingham) 25Feb.1783.

[18] BRL Boulton and Watt Collection MS 3147/3/259/24b, Logan Henderson (London) to Matthew Boulton, 21 Jun. 1785.

[19] BRL Boulton and Watt Collection MS 3143/3/511

[20] BRL Boulton and Watt Collection MS 3143/3/511

[21] Letter quoted in Williamson, George, Memorials of James Watt 1856 Pages 219-220

[22] Dickinson, H.W. and Jenkins, R., James Watt and the Steam Engine 1981 Page 293, Letter from Boulton to Watt dated 6 August 1784

[23] Letter reproduced in Griffiths, John, The Third Man page 95

[24] Letter reproduced in Griffiths, John, The Third Man page 95

[25] This letter is included in extracts from Watt's correspondence in Muirhead, J. P., The Origin and Progress of the Mechanical Inventions of James Watt 1854 Volume 2, page 210

[26] Robinson, Eric and McKie, Douglas, Editors, Partners in Science James Watt & Joseph Black London 1970 Pages 154 and 155 Letter number 108

[27] Birmingham Library, Boulton and Watt Collection MS 3147/3/11, letter number 11

[28] Birmingham Library, Boulton and Watt Collection MS 3147/3/81

[29] Mechanics' Magazine Number 529 28 September 1833 Volume 19 pages 463-464; Dickson's letter is reproduced in John Rankine's 1862 Biography of William Symington, pages37-39

[30] Patent number 2249

[31] The London Gazette 1806 Page 1017

[32] Post Office London Directory for 1817 18th Edition, Page 96

[33] Woodcroft, Bennet, Alphabetical List of Patentees of Inventions 1854 Page 162

[34] Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, Volume 34 page 30

[35] The Monthly Review 1818 Volume 86 Page 184

[36] Galloway, Elijah, History and Progress of the Steam Engine 1830 pages 485-487

[37] Sydney Gazette, 17 June 1815 page 2

[38] Australian, 2 August 1833 page 2