Steve Grudgings of the SGMRG has been doing a lot of work on the bills
relating to an engine house built in 1750/51 in Coalpit Heath. I don't know
if it is typical but I expect it is.
The bills (located in several places but together are probably as full as
set as exisit of any such engine) name the engineer responsible for the
overall project as well as giving the bills for materials and labour
including builders, blacksmiths plumbers etc.
Unlike later engines bought from one main source (Hayles, Boulton & Watt
etc) This one seems to have been obtained as parts - eg. Cylinder cast at
Coalbrookdale but other bits obtained/made locally. Even with later engine
bought as one piece or moved second hand I expect that the building of the
walls, the roofing etc would have been by local contractors.
Regards
David
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