George Sorocold, John Lombe and the Italians

Early Industrial Espionage: John Lombe, George Sorocold and John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar.

P.H.Tunaley, 10th October 2024

updated 18th December 2024

Unlocking the George Sorocold and John Lombe mysteries

(Background: George Sorocold disappeared from records 1716; John Lombe, half-brother of Thomas Lombe, died in mysterious circumstances 1722 ; Henry Lombe,

brother of Thomas Lombe, shot himself June 1723; the biographer, William Hutton, who provided an account of the Old Mill proceedings, wasn't born until

September 1723).

Since the previous article dated August 2024 was published, fresh evidence has been uncovered which throws a different light on the possible fate of George

Sorocold following his visit to France in 1716.

John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar, Secretary of State for Scotland under Queen Anne and a key figure in the Act of Union of 1707 was politically snubbed by

George 1st following the latter’s arrival in England to take up the throne in 1714. Possibly as a consequence of such humiliation, Mar then became a key

figure in the September 1715 Jacobite uprising.

In April 1716, the Stuart papers confirm George Sorocold, as having arrived in Fontainbleu, France, in an attempt to meet with the exiled John Erskine,

6th Earl of Mar (1675-1732) then resident in Avignon.

The reason(s) as to why Sorocold made this journey one can only speculate. No record has been found of Sorocold being alive after what may well have been

a failed attempt to meet the Earl. Nor has any Sorocold burial record been found. Sorocold's visit does, however, show some mark of desperation given his

journey may have been regarded by some as that of a traitor.

The disappearance of George Sorocold does of course leave open the question as to who was responsible for the subsequent construction of the Old Silk Mill

in Derby.

Much information to indicate the reality of the John Lombe contribution towards its construction may differ significantly from the events as

described by the biographer William Hutton. And that the Earl of Mar may have played a key role in those events.

Details as follows:

1. The lack of a date of death or burial record for George Sorocold.

2. His legal dispute with probable father-in-law, the Derby apothecary William Franceys. Plus other litigation documents containing the name George Sorocold.

3. His journey to France and attempt at a meeting in April 1716 with the Jacobite John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar (from the Stuart Papers). George had

previously carried out work for the Earl of Mar at the Gartmorn Dam, Scotland, 1711 – 1712.

4. His disappearance from records following his attempted 1716 meeting in France with the Earl.

5. The Earl of Mar's move to Rome as an advisor to the exiled "James 111" (from the Britannia website):

https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Erskine-6th-earl-of-Mar

Other documents informing that the Stuart Court was in Pesaro (Italy) from the spring of 1717, moving to nearby Urbino 1718 and then to Rome.

Sources: "The Jacobite Government-in-Exile," by Professor Edward Corp (University of Toulouse); "Music at the Stuart Court in Urbino 1717-1718" by same author.

6. The possibility that the Earl of Mar was a double agent (from the National Archives website):

The Jacobite Earl of Mar: A double agent? - The National Archives blog

7. The lack of solid evidence that John Lombe worked in Piedmont as stated by the biographer William Hutton.

Mr. David Purdy, has kindly provided copies of tax records indicating that John and Thomas Lombe were both living, 1716 and 1717, in Devonshire Square, London,

close to the silk weaving area of Spitalfields. With John Lombe disappearing from these records by 1718.

These records also showing John Lombe living in Wide Gate Alley 1713 and 1714, also close to Spitalfields, thus casting doubt on claims that John Lombe served

an apprenticeship or spent any length of time in Italy.

8. Claims made, without supporting evidence, informing that construction of the mill started around 1715.

In fact an item dated 11th October 1718 in "The Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post" (a paper existing 1716-1725) indicates that such work had commenced some

time as late as 1718. (copy of item kindly supplied by Mr. David Purdy)

9. The absence of records that would indicate which company or companies in England made the thousands of parts needed for the construction of the Old Silk Mill.

10. Should all parts have been imported from any of the states or kingdoms of Italy as existed at the time, the question as to whether John Erskine, the 6th

Earl of Mar, and his agents were primarily involved.

Plus a more plausible explanation that the parts were manufactured neither in Italy nor England but secretly in Alloa, Scotland, the town Mar had developed

industrially from 1702. With this explanation requiring only that someone (John Lombe ?) brought over the blueprints from Italy. And with the one person having

the necessary contacts to achieve this: John Erskine the 6th Earl of Mar.

N.B. John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, twice Secretary of State for Scotland under Queen Anne. He later became known

as "Bobbing John" because of his changes in allegiance.

P.H.Tunaley, 10th October 2024

updated 18th December 2024).

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Early Industrial Espionage: George Sorocold, John Lombe and the Italians:

"The History of Derby" by historian William Hutton (1723-1815)

Update August 2024.

P.H. Tunaley & J.E. Holmes

Researchgate

The Italians and the Tunley/Tunaley Connection

Download article below in PDF Format

Introduction

In discussing the successful construction and operation of the Lombe silk mill in Derby completed 1722, the important role of civil engineer George Sorocold can

sometimes be overlooked. Perhaps also, as a result of the eighteenth century historian William Hutton's writings on the history of Derby, the efforts of the

Italians mentioned in the design and construction of the mill are somewhat overstated.

In fact there is little doubt that apart from John Lombe himself, of whom there is of course already much written commendation, the engineer George Sorocold

(b. 1666) takes much of the credit for that operation.

According to wikipedia at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sorocold ,

"Sorocold achieved national fame, and could be considered Britain's first civil engineer. He was called the Great English Engineer by two of his contemporaries

and was the first non-military person to be styled "engineer"". Details of his overall achievements are included in the aforementioned website.

Additionally, the complexity of the operations involved in the construction of the Derby silk mill, are described by wikipedia at

https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=3734 .

It then becomes clear that the construction work could not have been designed and carried out without the expert guidance of a qualified civil engineer.

At the same time, there is little evidence of the Italians having claim to engineering knowledge.

And whilst Hutton's writings suggest that Nathaniel Guardavaglio, previously at Derby, was later involved in the construction of the Stockport silk mill,

records now show that mill was small-scale compared to the Derby mill and took until 1743 to be completely operational (see below).

According to David Stone's article, "Building the Derby Silk Mill" at:

https://d3hgrlq6yacptf.cloudfront.net/5f19c51d8f523/content/pages/documents/1579974796.pdf

Thomas Cochett's earlier mill built on the west bank of the River Derwent, a venture that ultimately failed, was at least partly designed

by George Sorocold using spinning wheels that were based on a Dutch design.

It is suggested in the article that George Sorocold could have accompanied John Lombe on his travels to Italy In search of information on

the more efficient Italian system.

D.S. writes, "There is little doubt that he (Lombe) did indeed go to Italy; he appears to have gone to Leghorn (Livorno) in 1715, but

precisely what his assignment was can now only be a matter of conjecture. It has even been suggested that Sorocold went with him. Anyway,

he returned to England in 1717 accompanied by some Italian workers."

N.B. Livorno, a city in Tuscany, on the west coast of Italy.

See also: "George Sorocold (1668-1738) An Original Civil Engineer"

at http://www.tunaleyfamily.com/george-sorocold.htm

According to records, two of the Italians stayed behind in Derby after final construction of the silk mill, 1722.

These two Italians, according to these records, were brothers Nathaniel and Ignatio Guardavaglio.

However there are a number of anomalies concerning both the identity of these two brothers and where they cane from.

(see also Appendix below).

As follows:

1. One might have reasonably assumed the Guardavaglios came from mainland Italy.

Whilst this has not been disproved it is also interesting to note that a recent search on the Guardavaglio name has produced two relevant

records:

The first shows a "Guardavaglio" having the same spelling, consul to the state of Prussia in 1809, and resident in Messina on the island

of Sicily.

NB. There was a British base in Sicily at the time to guard against the Napoleonic forces in the Mediterranean.

2. The second record is on the website at:

https://www.italiansrus.com/surnames/iscgu.htm

Note the alternative spellings of the surname (1) "Guardivaglio" with the first "a" replaced by an "i" (2) "Guardavaglia" with the last

letter "o" replaced by an "a".

N.B. There is no doubt that the original handwritten marriage record, 1724, for Ignatio to Hanna Endsor has the spelling of his surname

as "Guardavaglio." Likewise for the baptism record of Nathaniel's son, also Nathaniel, in 1732.

With three notable exceptions, these Guardavaglio family members, whatever their correct name spelling, are shown to be from Sicily.

By contrast, the three exceptions include the "brothers" themselves, Ignatio and Nathaniel Guardavaglio of Stockport, along with

descendant Elizabeth Guardavaglio who died Stockport 1865. The three stated to be originally from Piedmont, a fact that just happens

to fit the William Hutton narrative. In fact the original handwritten baptism record for John Guardavaglio (1726) states “son of

Ignatio Guardavaglio, a native of the Kingdom of Sicily" (see Appendix below). The "Kingdom of Sicily" having previously been

assumed to mean Piedmont although that location remains unproven.

Yet despite the best efforts of others, it appears that a record has yet to be found that would confirm John Lombe visited

any of the efficient Italian silk mills based in Northern Italy.

To conclude, the overall information leaves open the possibility that George Sorocold, no doubt sponsored by John Lombe's

half=brother Thomas Lombe, was the true architect of the Old Silk Mill enterprise. And might raise further questions regarding the

authenticity of the William Hutton account.

Appendix: The Guardavaglios

This item supersedes previous accounts by the authors regarding Nathaniel and Ignatio Guardavaglio and Willam Hutton's own account of the “two Italians” who

came over with John Lombe around 1717 prior to the construction of Derby's Silk Mill completed 1722.

Following information generously provided by Mr. David Purdy including further BMD records, two records in particular suggest Nathaniel and Ignatio

Guardavaglio to be one and the same person, rather than brothers who stayed in Derby until 1732 before moving to Stockport ; that the person known in Stockport

as John Guardavaglio was most likely Nathaniel’s son, baptised 1726 at St. Alkmund, Derby ; and that John, the son, had already taken over some of Nathaniel's

work prior to the latter's death, 1747.

The two records in question are as follows:

1. Hannah Guardavaglio (nee Endsor) Burial:

8th July 1729: “Buried Hannah wife of Nath Guardivallio”, St. Alkmund, Derby

2. Sarah Guardavaglio (nee Gaunt) Burial:

November 1761: “Buried Sarah the widow of Nathaniel Guardivaglio”, St. Alkmund, Derby.

Yet the respective marriage records for Hannah (1724) and Sarah (1730), as shown below, both give their husband’s first name as Ignatio.

And also interesting is that both Hannah and Sarah were buried in Derby, suggesting neither of them moved permanently if at all to Stockport.

Meanwhile, certain secondary records give the date of the second marriage to Sarah Gaunt as 13th January 1729, a date that would precede

the burial of first wife Hannah (nee Endsor) on 8th July 1729, and suggesting Ignatio and Nathaniel to be two separate people.

In fact, at the point in history of the marriage, 1729 would have fallen under the Julian calendar whereby the year did not begin until 25 March. So, any

event falling before 25 March would be in 1729. Viewed retrospectively, following the change to the Gregorian calendar when the New Year began on 1 January,

the date of the marriage in some records would have been noted as 1730.

Indeed, in a recent successful search for the original record, its ordering in the St. Alkmund BMD listings shows the second marriage having taken place

a year later, on 13th January 1730, providing further evidence that Ignatio and Nathaniel were in truth one and the same person.

There is one further significant record, details provided also by Mr. David Purdy.

An extract from Derby Silk Mill Copy Book states that Ignatio Guardivaglio “who formerly left here to work at Stockport” was buried 29th March 1747

having previously been forced to leave Clayton's mill company as a result of bad eyesight - his burial following the burial of his grandson, Nathaniel,

six weeks earlier on 13th February 1747.

Yet whilst people at the Derby Silk Mill, according to this document, knew him as Ignatio, strangely the Stockport burial record gives his first name

as Nathaniel, also the name William Hutton used in his book.

Background to the Hutton Book

According to William Hutton and referring to John Lombe's espionage and escape from Italy, "he (Lombe) took with him two natives who had favoured his

interest and his life at risk to their own."

Then, after Lombe's return to Derby, Hutton alleges the following took place, "An artful woman came over (to England) in the character of a friend,

associated with the parties, and assisted with the business .She attempted to gain (the confidence of) both the Italians and succeeded with one. By

these two, slow poison was supposed and perhaps justly to have been administered to John Lombe who lingered two or three years in agonies and departed.

The Italian ran away to his own country; and Madam was interrogated but nothing transpired except what strengthened suspicion."

Also on the question of the Italians, Hutton adds, "In 1732 the patent (on the Derby mill) expired. A mill was immediately erected at Stockport,

in Cheshire, which drew many of the workmen from that of Derby and, among others Nathaniel Gartrevalli, the remaining Italian, who, sixteen years

before, had come over with John Lombe; him I personally knew; he ended his days in poverty; the frequent reward of the man who ventures his life in

a base cause or betrays his country."

Extracts from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_industry_of_Cheshire

"Lombe's patent had been fiercely contested by artisans in Stockport and Macclesfield who looked to supply the Spitalfield silk weavers. When the patent

expired (1732) a partnership of six was formed in Stockport, which in essence was a joint stock company, to build a water-powered mill in a bend in

the River Mersey, next to Logwood Mill. John Guardivaglio was recruited to manage the new technology. John Clayton, a future Mayor was the partnership

leader. It took until 1743 to cut the tunnels to obtain extra water from New Bridge. Seven years later the silk mill owners bought the neighbouring

Logwood Mill and converted that to silk. As this was only 23 feet (7.0 m) square it could only be used for ancillary processes. Other mills were (later)

built in Macclesfield (1744) and Congleton (1753)".

Also see "THE STRUGGLE FOR WATER SUPPLY TO THE MILLS OF STOCKPORT, by Tony Bonson at: https://www.themeister.co.uk/hindley/stockport_silk.pdf

This article details how the initial mill built in Stockport was small-scale, far smaller than Lombe's, and that development of the mill continued through

to 1743 when the project was finally completed.

The following BMD Derby and Stockport records offer clarification regarding Nathaniel aka ignation Guardavaglio

Nathaniel aka Ignatio Guardavaglio
Nathaniel / Ignatio Guardavaglio =>	Marriage 1: “Ignatio Guardavaglio & Hanna Endsor” married 27.9.1724 St Peter’s Derby. Hannah Burial: 8th July 1729: “Buried Hannah wife of Nath Guardivallio”, St. Alkmund, Derby.	Children bp. John 31.1.1726, St Alkmund, Derby. From original baptism record: “son of Ignatio Guardavalio, a native of the Kingdom of Sicily”. N.B. Piemonte (Piedmont) in Northern Italy, was then part of the Kingdom of Sicily.
Nathaniel / Ignatio Guardavaglio =>	Marriage 2: “Married Ignatio Guardivallio and Sarah Gaunt", 13.1.1730, St Alkmund, Derby. Sarah Burial November 1761: “Buried Sarah the widow of Nathaniel Guardivaglio”, St. Alkmund, Derby.	cRecord of one son bp. Nathaniel, 25.4.1732, "the son of Nathaniel Guardavaglio," St Alkmund, Derby.
Death of Nathaniel / Ignatio Guardavaglio =>	"Nathaniell Guardivaglio, of Stockport, labourer, was buried 29th March 1747",	Many thanks to Mr. David Purdy for generously providing an extract from a Derby Silk Mill Copy Book record stating Ignatio Guardivaglio buried that day, 1747. Also that Ignatio had previously been forced to leave Clayton's Park Mill company as a result of bad eyesight.
John Guardavaglio son of Nathaniel aka Ignatio Guardavaglio by Marriage 1
John Guardavaglio bp. 1726, 31.1.1726, St Alkmund, Derby.	"son of Ignatio Guardavaglio a native of the Kingdom of Sicily” Married Mary Spencer 18.5.1746, Stockport. Mary buried 6.8.1774. Death: John Guardavaglio (son of Ignatio) buried 14.5.1788, Stockport.	Below: their children (grandchildren of Ignatio and Hannah).
		Baptised Nathaniel 19.10.1746 St Mary, Stockport Buried 29.3.1747, Stockport.
		Baptised: Charles 29.11.1747, St Mary, Stockport.
		Baptised: Nathaniel 19.8.1750 St.Mary, Stockport. Buried 27.11.1751, St Mary, Stockport.
		Baptised: Fanny 9.8.1752, St Mary, Stockport.
		From Cheshire bp. records: “Sarah daughter of John Guardovaglia of Macc.” Secondary records: Baptised: Sarah Guardavaglio, 2.3.1755, father John, St. Michael, Macclesfield. (Shows possible connection of John Guardavaglio to Macclesfield mill built 1744).
Other
Joseph Guardavaglio (Labourer)	"Joseph Guardivaglio, Labourer" buried 3.2.1756, St Mary, Stockport. Could this be Nathaniel, bp. 25/4/1732, the son of Nathaniel Guardavaglio and Sarah Gaunt (marriage 2) ?

Other information:

William Hutton born 1723. Became resident in Birmingham 1751 after absconding from his second apprenticeship as a silk stockinger in Nottingham, 1741,

to visit Birmingham then a town.

Information as revealed from these records:

1. Hutton wrote, "I personally knew Nathaniel Gartrevalli". This is possible because Hutton (b. 1723) in his book, "The History of Derby" wrote,

"My parents, through mere necessity, put me to labour before Nature had made me able." So one can reasonably assume Hutton was working at the Old Silk

Mill as a child.

However, it would seem from an extract taken from the Derby Silk Mill Copy Book (see above), the Italian worker was known as Ignatio rather

than Nathaniel.

2. John Guardavaglio, the son of Ignatio and Hanna, was born 1726 so too young to have been the "John" Guardavaglio in the original partnership.

However, the baptism of Sarah Guardavaglio, daughter of John and Mary (Spencer) at St Michael, Macclesfield, 1755, is evidence John Guardavaglio

played a part n the building of the silk mill at Macclesfield, 1744, 12 miles away from Stockport. This mill built one year after

further developments and completion of the Stockport mill in 1743 and with John Clayton still in charge.

P.H. Tunaley & J.E. Holmes

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Children

Death: