Benjamin Hick

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Benjamin Hick

c.1842 by George Patten ARA (1801–1865)
Born 1 August 1790
Leeds
Died 9 September 1842
Bolton
Occupation Civil and Mechanical engineer

Benjamin Hick (1 August 1790 – 9 September 1842) was a civil and mechanical engineer. He was born at Leeds in 1790 and trained at the Round Foundry with Fenton, Murray and Wood, the well known makers of steam engines, textile machines and other machinery; here he was entrusted with the installation of steam engines and offered a partnership, but declined moving in 1810 to Bolton[1] and Smalley, Thwaites and Co.[2] at Rothwell's Union Foundry, Blackhorse Street.[3] He had a brother John Hick also trained as an engineer, who worked at the Bowling iron works near Bradford.[4]

In July 1820 Hick joined other leading industrialists Isaac Dobson, Thomas Hardcastle, Peter Rothwell and engineer Joshua Routledge to form the Bolton Gaslight and Coke Company[5] in order to provide gas for public buildings, street lamps and industral lighting. With the inevitable fire risk of naked flame, the Great Bolton Trustees and a number of mill owners bought horse-drawn fire engines;[6] Hick became a Trustee of Great Bolton during the early 1820s, he was an Anglican and prominent member of Bolton's Pitt Club (formed 1809), that helped him move amongst the middle class social elite of the time.[7] In 1824 he joined the Institute of Civil Engineers.[1]

Along with many other leading figures from the Bolton area he was a promoter and with Peter Rothwell an original shareholder of the Bolton and Leigh Railway that opened 1 August 1828 with the naming of the locomotive Lancashire Witch by Mrs Hulton, wife of the vilified William Hulton JP, High Sheriff of Lancashire.[8] Robert Stephenson was driver of the engine he designed and built [9] with chief engineer George Stephenson,[10] who was a passenger with the other guests.[11]

In 1837 Hick was, among other local figures including William Bolling, John Hargreaves elder (1780-1860) and Jr, a member of the Provisional Committee of the Bolton and Preston Railway. By 1841 Hick was Deputy Chairman and a Director with Chairman John Hargreaves; the two families (Hick and Hargreaves) were linked by marriage in 1836. Chief engineer was John Urpeth Rastrick and resident engineer Alexander James Adie, son of Alexander Adie inventor of the sympiesometer. The line opened 22 June 1843 after Hick's death, following some problems in its construction,[12] and merged with the North Union Railway Company 10 May 1844.[13]

Rothwell, Hick and Rothwell

The Union Foundry later became known as Rothwell, Hick and Rothwell, by 1821 Hick was described as managing partner.[14] After Peter Rothwell's death on 2 August 1824, the company continued with Peter Rothwell Jr (1792–1849) as Rothwell, Hick & Co.[15] They made stationary steam engines, (a number of which were featured by John Farey, Jr. in the second volume of his Treatise on the Steam Engine, 1827) as well as general engineering products including cast iron dockyard cranes.[4]

In 1824 when the prodigious and forward looking Swiss engineer Johann Georg Bodmer (anglicised to John George Bodmer) developed his patterns and textile machinary near Bolton he made use of the Rothwell, Hick and Rothwell workshops.[4] Here in the late 1820s with the cooperation of an Italian merchant, Philip Novelli and H. & E. Ashworth, (Henry (1794-1880) and Edmund (1800-1881) Ashworth), they began a project of advanced concept at Egerton Mill[16] to include a spectacular waterwheel[17][18] of 62 feet diameter by 12 feet wide[19] and 110-140 horsepower, completed by Fairbairn and Lillie[20] when Bodmer returned to Europe as a result of ill-health. To aid in the construction it is claimed that Bodmer devised the travelling crane; the Egerton wheel became a tourist destination during the 1830s and 1840s, it was one of the largest in the United Kingdom attracting visits from industrialists and politicians.[21] By the 1830s Hick had become a highly valued friend of Bodmer, on one occasion arbitrating a patent dispute.[22]

Hick also formed a close friendship with engineer and artist James Nasmyth, in his autobiography Nasmyth refers to Hick as a most admirable man... whose judgment in all matters connected with engineering and mechanical construction was held in the very highest regard... ingenious, Hick contrived and constructed... one of the most powerful hydraulic presses in existence. According to Nasmyth, Hick and William Fairbairn were among the most intelligent and cultivated persons in Lancashire.[23] Hick was an accomplished draughtsman and it is stated that he introduced almost a new era of elegance and design for the exterior forms of steam engines and larger works.[24]

Hick and Rothwell built their first locomotive in 1830, the Union for the Bolton and Leigh Railway, they also built Pioneer for the Petersburg Railroad in America.[25]

B. Hick and Sons

In 1814 Benjamin Hick married Elizabeth Routledge (1783–1826) sister of his companion, Joshua Routledge (1773–1829), an ironmonger and engineer living in Bolton, and former manager for Fenton, Murray and Wood.[26] Hick's father-in-law was a Wesleyan minister and native of Selby in Yorkshire. Joshua Routledge's sons were also engineers; William (1812–1882), a driver of the locomotive Phoenix at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, 1828 and Henry (1817–1884) became manager of Bolton brass founders J. and W. Kirkham.[27][28][29]

Benjamin Hick had five children, two sons John (1815–1894) and Benjamin (1818–1845) who he trained as engineers. On 10 April 1833[25] they set up their own manufactory, B. Hick and Sons, at the Soho Foundry, Crook Street, Bolton. The firm made the locomotive Soho for the Bolton and Leigh Railway, and soon became well known as suppliers to British and foreign railway companies.[15] His first child and eldest daughter Mary (1813–1878) married John Hargreaves Jr (1800–1874), manufacturer and operator of the Bolton & Leigh and Leigh & Kenyon Junction railways.[15]

Following Elizabeth's death he married Hannah Elizabeth Goodyer (c. 1791–1862) in 1827 at St Mary's church, Lambeth. Hannah was a daughter of Landon Goodyer who held a position of responsibility in a Fire Office,[30] and sister of Frederick Goodyer who was to become a highly regarded Metropolitan Police Officer under Home Secretary, Robert Peel. Benjamin's first daughter by his second wife married the only son of Johann Georg Bodmer, his youngest daughter married the fourth son of James Bodmer.[22][31] Hick was also linked by his mother-in-law Hannah Goodyer, née Schwenck, to the Naval surgeon and novelist William Gilbert, father of William Schwenck Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan. Hick's first daughter from his marriage to Hannah Goodyer was named in a similar fashion; Helen Schwenck Hick.

Patron of the arts

Benjamin Hick was both a serious collector and patron of the arts alongside other industrialists and bankers from the North of England about mid nineteenth century, including Samuel Ashton, William Bashall of Bashall & Boardman, John Chapman, Henry Cooke, Benjamin Dobson, Sir John Gladstone, John Miller, Thomas Miller Jr of Preston, John Naylor of Leyland & Bullins and Peter Rothwell who favoured English art particularly that dipicting nature and history.

Hick was a man of acknowledge taste and judgment; his private collection, built over a period of 30 years valuable, well known and much admired, comprising works of the Italian, Flemish, Dutch and British Masters. He was regarded as one of the most liberal of the provincial patrons of Art, generous in his support of the British school, in particular a friend of Henry Liverseege who painted several works for Hick, and on terms of intimacy with many artists. The collection constisted antiques, bronzes, engravings by George Thomas Doo, John Henry Robinson and foreign engravers, marbles, paintings and watercolour drawings.

Foreign works included amongst others those of: Canaletti, Annibale Carracci, Correggio, Carlo Dolci, Sassoferato, Carlo Maratti, Murillo, Parmigianino, Gaspar Poussin, Raffaelle, Paolo Veronese, Egbert van Heemskerck the Younger, Wouwermans, Paul Potter, David Teniers, Bruwer, Gerard Dow, Ostate, Backhuysen, Plutzee, Vernet and Van Stry.

Hick's support for the British school extended to: Samuel Austin, Barker, William Bradley, Augustus Wall Callcott, George Cattermole, Thomas Sidney Cooper, Corley, James Wilson Carmichael, David Cox, James Francis Danby, Charles Lock Eastlake, Copley Fielding, John Rogers Herbert, Howard, Knight, William Linton, Henry Liverseege, Philip James de Loutherbourg, John Martin, George Morland, Frederick Nash, Alexander Nasmyth, Paul Falconer Poole, Samuel Prout, Thomas Miles Richardson, David Roberts, William Shayer, Clarkson Frederick Stanfield, Philip Francis Stephanoff, Stothard, Vickers, Benjamin West, Richard Westall, David Wilkie, John Wilson, Richard Wilson, John Michael Wright, Zritter and others.[32][33][34]

Death

Hick died at Bolton 9 September 1842. After his death, B. Hick and Sons continued under the management of his eldest son, John Hick as Benjamin Hick and Son. In 1845 John took into partnership his brother-in-law John Hargreaves Jr, JP and his younger brother William Hargreaves; the firm was subsequently renamed Hick, Hargreaves & Co.

Art works from Benjamin Hick's collection were advertised in the January and February 1843 editions of The Art-Union and auctioned by Thomas Winstanley & Sons of Liverpool at the Exhange Gallery in Manchester between 21 and 24 February 1843. The sale included John Martin's pair Pandæmonium and The Celestial City and the Rivers of Bliss.[35][36][37][38] Both paintings were bought by Hick from the artist following their exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1841; Pandæmonium and its frame designed by Martin[39] can be seen at the Louvre. Hick's obituary in the Art-Union appeared with those of John Varley, Lady Callcott and John Berney Crome.[40]

Friends of Hick from Lancashire: Robert Barlow, Joseph Beckton, Robert Dalglish Jr, Jonathan Hardcastle, John Moore, John Mawdsley, Peter Rothwell and Thomas Lever Rushton formed a committee in order to see through the production of an engraving from Hick's portrait by George Patten. The picture was entrusted to John Grundy and Henry Cousins undertook the work in mezzotint; proofs were then published at a moderate price,[41] examples can be found today in various museum collections.

Hick was well respected, more than 500 people including the influential attended his grave; employees of B. Hick & Sons gathered nearly £200 for a memorial and despite offers of assistance resolved unanimously to keep this honour for themselves.[42]

Benjamin Hick's memorial in Bolton Parish Church reads:

This monument is erected by a central subscription of his workmen,
in rememberance of his Christian character
and to record virtues so rare, for future imitation;
that he, though dead, may live again
in the spirit, action, and conduct of those,
who, guided by his character, and stimulated by his example,
will learn to love their neighbour as themselves
and to do good to all men.

He was an affectionate husband,
a kind father, and a sincere friend;
alike distinguished by eminent ability,
and uniform integrity;
genius, in whatever art or science displayed,
even found in him a liberal patron;
He was benefactor to this town,
where his worth will be long appreciated;
and his loss deeply deplored.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Unknown. "OBITUARY. BENJAMIN HICK, BORN 1790". Minutes of the Proceedings, Volume 2, Issue 1843, 01 January 1843 , pages 12 –13 , , E-ISSN: 1753–7843. Institution of Civil Engineers. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  2. ↑ "Benjamin Hick". Graces Guide. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  3. ↑ "1814-15 Wardle and Bentham's Guide: Bolton". Graces Guide. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chrimes
  5. ↑ Unknown (January 1888). "THE INVENTOR OF THE SLIDE RULE. STRAY NOTES FROM THE JOURNAL AND DIARY OF JOSHUA ROUTLEDGE, BOLTON". Bolton Journal. 
  6. ↑ O'Connor, Dennis. The Rise of Bolton as an important engineering and textile town in early 1800 England. Bolton, Lancashire, Great Britain. p. 72. 
  7. ↑ Taylor, Peter. A Divided Middle Class: Bolton 1790–1850. pp. 9–10, 12. 
  8. ↑ Simkin, John. "William Hulton". Sparticus Schoolnet. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  9. ↑ Simkin, John. "Lancashire Witch". Sparticus Schoolnet. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  10. ↑ Simkin, John. "Bolton and Leigh". Sparticus Schoolnet. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  11. ↑ "1824 The Bolton and Leigh Railway". Daubhill. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  12. ↑ Bedwell, Carolyn (2009). "Preston and Bolton Railway". John Urpeth Rastrick. Retrieved 18 January 2013. 
  13. ↑ "Links in a Chain. The Mayors of Bolton". Thomas Lever Rushton. Bolton Council. Retrieved 27 January 2014. 
  14. ↑ Taylor, Peter. A Devided Middle Class: Bolton 1790–1850. p. 10. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Marshall
  16. ↑ Ashmore, Owen (1982). The Industrial Archaeology of North-West England. Manchester University Press. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-7190-0820-7. 
  17. ↑ "The Parish of Christ Church, Walmsley". Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project. Bolton & District Family History Society, 1984. FHL film #1656927, part of Item 13. Retrieved 29 December 2012. 
  18. ↑ Egerton Conservation Area. Bolton Metropolitan Council Environment Department. p. 5. 
  19. ↑ Lewis (editor), Samuel (1848). A Topographical Dictionary of England. Tunstead - Tuxford (Turton): Institute of Historical Research. pp. 401–404. 
  20. ↑ Musson and Robinson, Albert Edward and Eric (1969). Science and Technology in the Industrial Revolution. Manchester University Press. pp. 481–482. ISBN 978-0-7190-0370-7. 
  21. ↑ "A history of the Ashworth family". Egerton Village Online - Bolton Lancashire. Retrieved 29 December 2012. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Unknown. "OBITUARY. JOHN GEORGE BODMER, 1786–1864". Minutes of the Proceedings, Volume 28, Issue 1869, 01 January 1869 , pages 573 –608 , , E-ISSN: 1753–7843. Retrieved 16 December 2012. 
  23. ↑ Nasmyth, James (1883). James Nasmyth engineer: an autobiography, Edited by Samuel Smiles. John Murray of Albemarle Street, London. pp. 184, 207, 244, 434. 
  24. ↑ "OBITUARY. BENJAMIN HICK, ESQ,. OF BOLTON.". The Art-Union 5: p. 10. 1 January 1843. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Skeat and Marshall, W. O. and John (1974 (poss a typo 1984)). Catalogue: Hick hargreaves Exhibition of early locomotive drawings. Rockliff Bros. Ltd., Long Lane, Liverpool L9 7BE. 
  26. ↑ Knott, John V. (October 1995). "Joshua Routledge 1775-1829". Journal of the Oughtred Society 4 (2): p. 25. 
  27. ↑ Unknown (January 1888). "THE INVENTOR OF THE SLIDE RULE. STRAY NOTES FROM THE JOURNAL AND DIARY OF JOSHUA ROUTLEDGE, BOLTON". Bolton Journal. 
  28. ↑ Barton, B. T. (1883). "Historical Gleanings of Bolton and District. THE ROUTLEDGE FAMILY". Daily Chronical: p. 124–125. 
  29. ↑ Barton, B. T. (1883). "Historical Gleanings of Bolton and District. FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE ROUTLEDGE FAMILY". Daily Chronical: p. 137–138. 
  30. ↑ Stanley, Clifford R. "A Centernary Tribute to Frederick Goodyer, Leicestershire's First Chief Constable 1836-1876". T.L.A.H.S Vol. L1. Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society. p. 17,18. Retrieved 17 January 2013. 
  31. ↑ Unknown. "OBITUARY. GEORGE RUDOLPH BODMER, 1853–1902". Minutes of the Proceedings, Volume 151, Issue 1903, 01 January 1903 , pages 427 –428 , , E-ISSN: 1753–7843. Retrieved 16 December 2012. 
  32. ↑ Darcy, C. P. (1976). The encouragment of the fine arts in Lancashire 1760–1860. Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL: The Chetham Society, Manchester University Press ND. pp. 7–20, 84, 143–151, 156. ISBN 0-7190-1330-5. 
  33. ↑ Lewis, Brian (2001). The Middlemost and the Milltowns: Bourgeois Culture and Politics in Early Industrial England. Stanford Universtity Press. pp. 360–362. ISBN 978-0-8047-4174-3. 
  34. ↑ "SALE OF AN IMPORTANT AND GENUINE COLLECTION OF PICTURES, DRAWINGS, ENGRAVINGS, BRONZES &c". The Art-Union: p. 26. 1 January 1843. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  35. ↑ "SALE OF AN IMPORTANT AND GENUINE COLLECTION OF PICTURES, DRAWINGS, ENGRAVINGS, BRONZES &c". The Art-Union: p. 26. 1 January 1843. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  36. ↑ "SALE OF AN IMPORTANT AND GENUINE COLLECTION OF PICTURES, DRAWINGS, ENGRAVINGS, BRONZES &c". The Art-Union: p. 51. 1 February 1843. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  37. ↑ Darcy, C. P. (1976). The encouragment of the fine arts in Lancashire 1760–1860. Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL: The Chetham Society, Manchester University Press ND. p. 143. ISBN 0-7190-1330-5. 
  38. ↑ Brown, Phillip. "John Martin - Pandemonium". British Paintings. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  39. ↑ James, Richard (August 1952). "Burlington Magazine". The Burlington Magazine 94 (593): 234. Retrieved 14 December 2012. 
  40. ↑ "OBITUARY.". The Art-Union 5: p. 9–10. 1 January 1843. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  41. ↑ "THE LATE BENJAMIN HICK, ESQ". The Art-Union 5: p. 26. 1 January 1843. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  42. ↑ "OBITUARY. BENJAMIN HICK, ESQ,. OF BOLTON.". The Art-Union 5: p. 10. 1 January 1843. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  • John Marshall, articles John and William Hargreaves, Benjamin and John Hick and Peter Rothwell in A biographical dictionary of Railway Engineers, 1978, pp 104, 112-3 and 187
  • A. P. Woolrich, 'John Farey and his Treatise on the Steam Engine (1827)' in History of Technology, vol 22,(2000), pp 63–106
  • Mike Chrimes, article Hick, Benjamin, in A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers, 2002, 322.
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