Hackworth Family Archive - National Railway Museum

832 Pages·2014·4.49 MB·English

Hackworth Family Archive

A cataloguing project made possible by the National Cataloguing Grants Programme for Archives
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Description of Entire Archive: HACK (fonds level description)

Title Hackworth Family Archive
Fonds reference code GB 0756 HACK
Dates 1810’s-1980’s
Extent & Medium of the unit of the 1036 letters with accompanying letters and associated documents, 151 pieces of printed material and printed images,
unit of description 13 volumes, 6 drawings, 4 large items
Name of creators Hackworth Family
Administrative/Biographical Hackworth, Timothy (b 1786 – d 1850), Railway Engineer was an early railway pioneer who worked for the Stockton
History and Darlington Railway Company and had his own engineering works Soho Works, in Shildon, County Durham. He
married and had eight children and was a converted Wesleyan Methodist. He manufactured and designed
locomotives and other engines and worked with other significant railway individuals of the time, for example George
and Robert Stephenson. He was responsible for manufacturing the first locomotive for Russia and British North
America. It has been debated historically up to the present day whether Hackworth gained enough recognition for his
work. Proponents of Hackworth have suggested that he invented of the ‘blast pipe’ which led to the success of
locomotives over other forms of rail transport. His sons other relatives went on to be engineers. His eldest son, John
Wesley Hackworth did a lot of work to promote his fathers memory after he died. His daughters, friends,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and ancestors to this day have worked to try and gain him a prominent place in
railway history. Notably his grandson son Robert Young wrote a book Timothy Hackworth and the locomotive
(London: Locomotive Publishing Company, 1923) in a bid to preserve and promote his memory.
Archival history Before the archive reached the NRM it had come from various members of the family; usually kept with the oldest
male relative. Around the 1880 a large proportion of the archive appears to have been taken to the United States by
Samuel Holmes; Timothy Hackworth’s nephew. Parts of the archive appear to have been passed to Robert Young
when he was writing his book Timothy Hackworth and the Locomotive. Robert Young and his descendents passed
pieces of the archive, mainly letters to and from Timothy Hackworth to the Science Museum, London. These letters
were subsequently transferred to the National Railway Museum in 2005. Other records remained with various
decedents and were transferred to the NRM in three separate donations in 2005, two donations in 2010 and further
donations in 2011.

Further acquisitions donated by a descendent of Timothy Hackworth were added to the collection in December 2012,
these had previously been represented in the collection as copies. This deposit consists of letters and documents
removed from the main bulk of the archive by Robert Young when he was writing his book, they are cover dominant
themes in the archive such as early loco development, Ann Ambler’s mental illness, the death of Timothy
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Hackworth’s wife Jane Young and John Wesley Hackworth’s failed marriage proposal.

Some letters referenced in Robert Young’s Timothy Hackworth and the Locomotive (London: Locomotive Publishing
Company, 1923) do not survive in the archive and their location and provenance is unknown.
Scope & content The Hackworth family archive is a record of early railway development in Britain. It contains records of Timothy
Hackworth’s work with the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company and features original documents to and from
prominent railway individuals such as George and Robert Stephenson and Edward and Joseph Pease. It describes
business activities and events on the line and discusses developments of railway engineering and travel that enabled
the railways of today. Business records such as ledgers, notebooks and drawings provide detailed information about
locomotives built; records also document business activities, such as the passport of John Wesley Hackworth from
when he delivered the first locomotive to Russia. There is also a large amount of correspondence between various
individuals regarding Soho Works’ order for the London and Brighton Railway Company. Correspondence between
the members of the family describes the early railway industry informally; Timothy Hackworth appears to regularly
correspond with his children in a personal and business capacity and writes to his wife regularly when he is away
from home. Timothy Hackworth’s correspondence with his wife and two sons describe his feelings about how his
business and about railway developments at the time. Letters are also heavily tinged with religious references and
are evidence of the family’s Methodist faith and describe every day events.

The archive contains a large amount of family records from after the death of Timothy Hackworth. There are
hundreds of papers regarding the settling of his estate gathered by his friend and executor of his estate Thomas
Greener. These show how the family administered the estate and, dealt with running Soho Works without their father
and their various decisions to sell the business. Papers also deal with private matters such as the mental health of
Timothy Hackworth’s eldest daughter Ann Ambler who was put into a mental asylum and the family’s attempts
communicate with her husband William Amber. The mental heath of another sister Mary Hackworth is also discussed,
along with the threat of her marrying an unsuitable husband as the estate was being settled. Thomas Greener filed
personal letters alongside estate papers; the series includes letters regarding the death of Timothy Hackworth’s wife
Jane, letters announcing marriages, illness of his son Timothy Hackworth and often express money troubles within
the family. Disagreements between family members are played out, notably between the two sons John Wesley and
Timothy who both attempt to buy the business. At another point John Wesley Hackworth attempts to bring legal
action on his brother and another executor.

Letters between the children of Timothy Hackworth between themselves and their friends give an insight into what life
was in Victorian times. Letters between women and girls are an example of this; Timothy Hackworth’s daughter
Prudence Nightingale (nee Hackworth)’s correspondence with her friend Elizabeth Dove describes family matters and
the death of many people in her family of tuberculosis. Correspondence accumulated by younger daughter Jane
Young (nee Hackworth) describes her time at school in Vilvorde, Belgium. Letters describe the family’s opinions
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regarding the observation of the Sabbath; provide gossip about family and friends and on potential suitors and
describe Victorian fashion. There are numerous items in the archive that are evidence of social and religious history
for example proposals of marriage, letters turning down marriage, religious confessions and letters of condolence on
the death of family members.

The archive has another dimension to it: many of Timothy Hackworth’s children, grandchildren ancestors and friends
campaigned for their ancestor’s recognition and their records are also contained in the archive. Hackworth’s
daughters, their husbands and friend Thomas Greener collected, wrote and distributed literature about him. John
Wesley Hackworth’s research papers and his correspondence in papers demonstrate his eagerness that his fathers
name must not be forgotten. He publically battled against people who he thought were promoting historically
inaccurate notions in relation to who was involved with early railway development. He focused on the argument that
his father had invented the ‘blast pipe’ which the Stephenson’s used in order to make their locomotives successful.
Later letters between Robert Young and various correspondents provide different points of views on the effectiveness
of John Wesley Hackworth’s work to promote his father. Some correspondents such as, Timothy Hackworth’s
nephew ardently defend John Wesley’s work and views, whereas others such as Robert Young Pickering, cousin of
Robert Young are very critical of the way that John Wesley ‘damaged’ any chance that of making Timothy
Hackworth’s name prominent.

Research for Robert Young’s book Timothy Hackworth and the Locomotive (London: Locomotive Publishing
Company, 1923), gathered by Robert Young provides an in depth into the history surrounding the dawn of the
locomotive in Britain. Both his and John Wesley Hackworth’s research, which he also used, provide a great deal of
first and second hand information and evidence regarding the history of railways. Young researches through
published sources, correspondence with people who were alive at the time of Timothy Hackworth including members
of the family, photographs, magazines. Robert Young and his cousin Samuel Holmes, who lived in the United States,
corresponded in depth about what should go into Robert Young’s book. Samuel Holmes tended to follow John
Wesley Hackworth’s style of debate whilst Robert Young wanted to avoid the book offending the public and to create
a more impartial account of events. Samuel Holmes wrote a forward to the Robert Young’s book however he died
before the book was completed and it was never included in the final publication. There are various heated letters
between Samuel Holmes and Robert Young that debate Timothy Hackworth’s involvement in railway history.

Later letters in the series document arrangements for parts of this archive and other Hackworth artefacts to be
exhibited by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company in the World Columbian Exposition, or ‘World Fair’ held in
1893. Letters sent between members of the family describe current events at the time of writing such as the Boer War
and the World War I. Letters from family members now and again describe the family’s bad luck and often describe
sorrow due to death and illness in the family. Later letters deal with what should happen with the family archive after
members of the family have died and demonstrate further attempts to publicise Timothy Hackworth.
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HACK/1 Papers of Hackworth, Timothy (b 1786 – d 1850), Railway Engineer and Hackworth, Jane (b 1875 – d
1852) (nee Golightly)
HACK 1/1 Correspondence accumulated by Hackworth, Timothy, Railway Engineer (b 1786 – d 1850)
HACK 1/2 Correspondence accumulated by Hackworth, Jane (b 1875 – d 1852) (nee Golightly)
HACK 1/3 Business papers of Hackworth, Timothy, Railway Engineer (b 1786 – d 1850)

HACK/2 Papers of Greener, Thomas (b 1820? – d c 1903)
HACK 2/1 Papers documenting the estate of Hackworth, Timothy (b 1786 – d 1850) gathered by Greener, Thomas (b
1820? – d c. 1903)
HACK 2/2 Personal papers of Greener, Thomas (b 1820? – d c 1903)

HACK/3 Papers of Hackworth, John Wesley (b 1820- d 1891) and Hackworth, Ann (b c 1818 – d 1872) (nee
Turner)
HACK 3/1 Correspondence accumulated by Hackworth, John Wesley (b 1820 – d 1891) and Hackworth, Ann (b c
1818 – d 1872) (nee Dunton)
HACK 3/2 Business Papers of Hackworth, John Wesley (b 1820 – d 1891)
HACK 3/3 Research Papers of Hackworth, John Wesley (b 1820 – d 1891)

HACK/4 Papers accumulated by children of Hackworth, Timothy, Railway Engineer (b 1786 – d 1850)
[excluding Hackworth, John Wesley (b 1820 – d 1891) HACK/2]
HACK 4/1 Material accumulated by Holmes, Elizabeth (b 1818 – d 1905) (nee Hackworth)
HACK 4/2 Material accumulated by Nightingale, Prudence (b 1822 – d 1897) (nee Hackworth)
HACK 4/3 Material accumulated by Hackworth, Timothy (b 1825 – d 1856) son of Hackworth, Timothy, Railway
Engineer (b 1786 – d 1850))
HACK 4/4 Material accumulated by Young, Jane (b 1831 – d 1914) (nee Hackworth) and Young, George Edward (b
1823 -1889) Wesleyan Preacher
HACK 4/4/1 Material accumulated by Young, Jane (b 1831 – d 1914) (nee Hackworth)
HACK 4/4/2 Material accumulated by Young, George Edward (b 1823 – d 1889, Wesleyan Methodist Preacher)
HACK 4/4/2/1 Papers accumulated by Young, George Edward (b 1823 – d 1889, Wesleyan Methodist Preacher)
HACK 4/4/2/2 Research papers of Young, George Edward (b 1823 – d 1889)
HACK 4/5 Material accumulated by several members of the family or unidentified

HACK/5 Papers accumulated by Young, Robert (b 1860 – d 1932) and Young, Edith Mary (b 1875 - d 1954)
(nee Lees)
HACK 5/1 Correspondence and accompanying documents accumulated by Young, Robert (b 1860 – d 1932) and
Young, Edith Mary (b? – d 1954) (nee Lees)
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HACK 5/3 Research Papers of Young Robert (b 1860 – d 1932)

HACK/6 Papers accumulated by grandchildren/great grandchildren of Hackworth, Timothy (b 1786 – d 1850)
Railway Engineer
HACK 6/1 Material accumulated by Hackworth, Albert (b 1853 – d 1904) and Hackworth, Esther Ann (b 1862 - d
1917) (nee Williams)
HACK 6/2 Material accumulated by Holmes, Samuel (b 1845 - d 1920)
HACK 6/3 Material accumulated by Young, Timothy Hackworth (b 1855 – d?)
HACK 6/4 Material accumulated by Hackworth, John Hennon (b 1843 – d 1923)
HACK 6/5 Material accumulated by Young, George Edward (b 1867 – d 1916) son of Young, George Edward (b 1823
– 1889) Wesleyan Methodist Preacher
HACK 6/6 Material accumulated by Young, Samuel Holmes (b 1869 – d 1936)
HACK 6/8 Material accumulated by Alderslade, Esther (b 1888 – d 1973) (nee Hackworth)
HACK 6/9 Material accumulated by Parsons, Prudence Winifred (b 1892 - 1956) (nee Hackworth)

HACK/7 Papers accumulated by Bainbridge, F F (fl 1900 – 1925), Coun, J.P.

HACK/8 Printed material

HACK/9 Images

Appraisal, destruction and Printing blocks, photocopied duplicates and publications duplicated in the NRM library have been returned to the donor. Some
scheduling information publications have been classified as library material and therefore moved to the NRM library collection.
Accruals The archive contains photocopies of original documents, in the future some photocopies will be replaced with original
documents and an accrual of additional material is expected in 2012.
System of arrangement The archive has been arranged into sub fonds that represent how individuals gathered material; e.g. all letters they received,
letters they wrote and never sent, papers written by them, publications gathered by them etc. It has not been possible to
ascertain the owner or gatherer of some printed material and images, therefore these have been classed under separate sub
fonds. Where appropriate married couples have been described together, this is where material has been gathered by both
individuals, letters have been addressed to both parties and so on. Some couples have been split into two series when their
activities are deemed separate.
Conditions governing Access is given in accordance with the NRM access policy. Material form this archive is available to researchers through the
access Search Engine reading room.
Copies may be supplied of items in the archive, provided that the copying process used does not damage the item or is not
Conditions governing detrimental to its preservation. Copies will be supplied in accordance with the NRM’s terms and conditions for the supply and
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reproduction reproduction of copies, and the provisions of any relevant copyright legislation.
Language English and some French. French letters have been transcribed and translations attached to this catalogue.
Physical Characteristics & Archive is made up of paper, some large patent documents and drawings and some photographs. Where there are specific
technical requirements technical requirements these are listed alongside the item or series description.
Finding aids This catalogue acts as the finding aid to this collection, reference numbers are provided for each item.
Existence and location of The archive contains originals and copies. Original versions of copies are held in private hands, the however it is anticipated
originals that these will be transferred to the NRM in the future. The location of some copies is unknown
Existence and location of Copies are held with the donors of the archive material
copies

Related units of description The NRM also holds objects including locomotives, images and general printed material relating to Timothy Hackworth and
at the NRM other aspects of early and modern railway development. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Inventory Description Date
number

1998-9733 Account of Shildon Works Company with Timothy Hackworth, Soho Engine and Foundry Works 1840
1931-513 Records relating to Stephenson, George (1781–1848), accumulated by the National Railway Museum 1821-1844
1950-250/1-3
1992-235
1992-236
1992-237
1992-238
1947-135 Records relating to Stephenson, Robert (1803–1859), accumulated by the National Railway Museum (including 1822-1969
1997-1 letters written to Robert Stephenson from Samuel Smiles)
2006-7495
1984-820
1989-178
1992-239
1992-339
1970-473 Records of Robert Stephenson & Company, Locomotive Manufacturers, Newcastle Upon Tyne (later Darlington, 1823 – c1960
Durham).
1943-238 Report Books of Graham, John, Stockton and Darlington Railway Employee 1831-1845
2010-7055 Correspondence of Pease, Henry (1807–1881), Stockton and Darlington Railway 1846-1876
1999-8292 Diary of Kitching, Alfred (1808-1882) 1843-1844
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2005-7137 Letter from Backhouse, John Church (1811-1858) to his sister describing the opening train on the Stockton & 27/09/1825
Darlington Railway
2008-7154 Letter from Dixon, John (1796-1865) discussing steam tests and experiments on the Stockton and Darlington 28/02/1863
Railway
2005-7136 Letter describing the opening of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway and the death of Huskisson, Sir William (1770- 21/09/1830
1830) MP, after being run down by the "Rocket"
1945-108 Notebook of Rastrick, John Urpeth (1780–1856) 1829
1995-7773 Records originating from Trevithick, Francis (1812–1877) including records relating to his father, Trevithick, Richard 1746-1979
2002-8348 (1771–1833)
1996-7068 Letter from Dalrymple, Leighton (1785-1820) Lieutenant Colonel. Account of his visit to Wakefield and Leeds, 1812
including a description and sketch of John Blenkinsop’s Steam Locomotive ' Salamanca ', 1812
2008-7154 Letter, paper, autograph, John Dixon (Darlington) to Zerah Colburn (London), 28 February 1863. Discussing at 28/02/1863
length steam tests and experiments on the Stockton & Darlington Railway using "our powerful modern engines used
in the Mineral Department." Mentions that he is too old to ride on the locomotives himself but that his instructions
are being carried out by William Bouch. 6 sides.
1986-78 Research papers of C.F. Dendy Marshall. Comprises cuttings and notes; illustrations, photographs and drawings; c.1914-1946
patent specifications; official accident reports, etc. re locomotives and railways in Britain. Contains also papers re
his interest in philately, and his work at the Ministry of Munitions (Munition Inventions Department) during World War
One, and later inventions. 6 boxes, listing available]

Related units of
description held elsewhere

Reference Location Description Date
number

RAIL 667 The National Archives, Kew Records of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company. This series contains minutes of 1818-1903
meetings of the Board of Directors and Shareholders, and of the Railway, Traffic, Finance,
Locomotive Power, Permanent Way and Works, and other committees. It also includes a
wide range of reports and correspondence, stock and share registers, deeds, agreements,
contracts, specifications, estimates and plans, statistical material, locomotive and rolling
stock records (including annual surveys and valuations of locomotives), petitions and
memorials to directors, staff records and accountant's records, in addition to material relating
to the New Shildon works and the New Shildon Mechanics Institute. Includes Timothy
Hackworth’s account books and other records relating to him.
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RAIL 386/99 The National Archives, Kew Agreement with Timothy Hackworth for supply and delivery of 21 engines (specification and 01/01/1846
form of tender embodied herein)
RAIL390/1876 The National Archives, Kew London and North Eastern Railway Company: Minutes and Reports Secretarial Papers 1945
relating to Board Shildon, Timothy Hackworth's factory
RAIL The National Archives, Kew LMSR Record Office Files ue of Timothy Hackworth; Claud Sutton.
1007/349
RAIL The National Archives, Kew Account from Timothy Hackworth to the Shildon Works Company 10/1840
1021/11/39
RAIL The National Archives, Kew Shildon Railway Centenary Celebrations, including unveiling of Timothy Hackworth Statue 1925
1057/2891 and Memorial Tablet
RAIL 1148 The National Archives, Kew Briggs Collection consists of three guard books containing a collection of original and copy 1820-1878
letters etc., from George and Robert Stephenson, original letters from I.K. Brunel (1837-
1841) and George Hudson (1842-1846), and a collection of original letters from well-known
people, including James Allport; Wm. Cubitt; Timothy Hackworth; Jas. Nasmyth; John
Peirson; William Shaw; Thomas Tredgold and others.
The collection also contains Isaac Briggs' Diary, items on the Chevet Tunnel, and the
Catalogue of the Museum and Archive contents of Briggs' collection.
RAIL 1148/3 The National Archives, Kew Guard Book containing original letters from well-known people including James Allport, M 1834-1878
Bell, E Bergue, George P Bidder, William Cubitt, Timothy Hackworth, James Nasmyth, John
Peirson Quarter Master General Horse Guards, William Shaw, Thomas Tredgold and others
(List within)
IMS 45 Institution of Mechanical Illustrated business card of Timothy Hackworth. Depicting a steam locomotive against a c. 1830
Engineers Library background of a chapel and town on a hill. Beneath, text reads: 'Timothy Hackworth,
Manufacturer of Locomotive, Marine, High Pressure, and other Steam Engines, Mills &c. On
the most approved Plans. New Shildon, near Bp. Aukland. Durham.' Verso blank. The card
was discovered in a desk (reputedly belonging to Hackworth) by T.Cruddas as Works
Manager, London and North Eastern Railway's Shildon Wagon Works.
Engraving, 76x114mm., 1 item
On pasteboard.
END/10/2/1/4 Institution of Mechanical Passenger engine, longitudinal section, Inscribed '12 passenger engines built to the designs 11/1846
Engineers Library of John Gray L & B Locomotive Supert. By Timothy Hackworth, Newcastle. 2 delivered
Nov.1846 10 by 1848 to the London & Brighton Ry. They made a very smart passenger
engine, though they looked clumsy. I travelled on one to London with 14 carriages, easily
doing 40m per hour continuously up the 1 in 264'. Scale 1 1/2 inches: 1 foot. 630x955mm.,
ink and watercolour on tracing paper.
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END/10/2/1 Institution of Mechanical Drawings of locomotives built by the E.B.Wilson Company of Leeds and Timothy Hackworth 1856 &
Engineers Library of Newcastle for the London and Brighton Railway Company. n.d.
Ink and watercolour, various sizes
On paper and tracing paper
D/XD 44 Durham County Record Office Miscellaneous documents - Darlington
NRO 02203/1 Northumberland Record Office Photocopy of draft letter for publication by John Wesley Hackworth on Timothy Hackworth c. 1850
and the production of the Royal George locomotive engine.
GB 0096 Senate house Library, Rastrick, John Urpeth: diaries, notebooks, etc. Include descriptions of timothy Hackworth’s 1805-1854
MS242 University of London work on the Stockton and Darlington Railway
No. 540 Transportation History Timothy Hackworth to Robert Stevenson, (New Castle Upon Tyne, November 15, 1825); 1 15/11/1825
Collection, Special Collections leaf. Subject: worn wheels
Library, University of Michigan
Transportation History
Collection Single manuscript
collection.

No. 550 Transportation History George Stephenson (Liverpool) to Timothy Hackworth (Darlington, July 25, 1828); 2 leaves - 25/07/1828
Collection, Special Collections Photostat. Subject: New engines.
Library, University of Michigan
Transportation History
Collection Single manuscript
collection.

No. 553. Transportation History Timothy Hackworth (n.p., ca. July, 1829); 1 leaf. Subject: Notes in regards to various railroad 07/1829
Collection, Special Collections matters.
Library, University of Michigan
Transportation History
Collection Single manuscript
collection.

No. 555 Transportation History Timothy Hackworth (Soho Engine Works, Shildon [Durham]) to London, Brighton, and South 03/07/1847
Collection, Special Collections Coast Railroad (July 3, 1847); 1 leaf, folded. Subject: Discusses the value/quality of steam
Library, University of Michigan engines being built, financial difficulties and cost overruns, and plea for more funds.
Transportation History
Collection Single manuscript
collection.
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