Transcript

of

Bonds and Marriage Licenses

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VII, (1912-1913), Exeter: James G. Commin. 1913, pp. 160.

by

T.D. Exon

Prepared by Michael Steer

Thomas Savery, c. 1650 - 1715) was an inventor and engineer, born at Shilstone, a manor house near Modbury. He invented the first commercially used steam powered device, a steam pump which is often referred to as an "engine". Savery's "engine" was a revolutionary method of pumping water, that solved the problem of mine drainage and made widespread public water supply practicable. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 121. SAVERY'S STEAM ENGINE. - The following is an extract from Notes and Queries, 5th s., V. 229, Mar. 18th, 1876:-

"I have before me an interesting relic of the infancy of the steam engine, an engraving about 20 inches by 16, entitled 'The steam engine at Dudley Castle, invented by Captain Savery and Mr. Newcomen, erected by ye latter 1712. Delin. et Sculp., T. Barney, 1719.' Has this print been noticed in any history ?

                                  T. D. EXON.

At the present time there are but two copies of this print available - one at the Birmingham Free Library, and the other (acquired a couple of months ago) at South Kensington Museum. There was a copy at the Salt Library, Stafford, but this has been lost sight of for some years.

It would be interesting to know who "T. D. Exon" was, and what became of the print he had before him.     P. J.