John Collier (France)
Born 1782 in Newport (Shropshire), died 1835 in Paris
Cotton spinner and machine maker.
In 1791 John's brother, James Collier, secretly left for France with the aim of helping to establish Toulouse as the 'new Manchester'. John joined him in 1793. Nothing came of that scheme, but in 1798 they joined with the Swiss banker Abraham de Rougement to establish a cotton, flax and woollen spinning mill at Cye-le-Foret. By the 'contraband technique', they were able to keep up with British innovation in the field. In 1805 the brothers became established as engineers and spinners in Paris, producing a range of textile machinery. In 1814 James moved to London. John was naturalised in 1819. The business failed in 1844, and the rights were bought by Benoît-Aimé Seillières, owner of Schirmeck spinning mill (established in 1817 by his grandfather John Heywood (1771-1855), who came from Manchester).[1]
1841 John Collier listed as engineers & mecaniciens, iron & brass founders, and steam engine makers at Rue Richer, Paris[2]
Note: James Collier was in Toulouse between 1792 and 1796, then at Sainte-Foy and Coye, and later in Paris.[3]
2024 A collection of handwritten documents offered for sale[4] included the following:-
Company deed between André Poupart de Neuflize, Auguste Sevene, John Collier, Émile Magnan and Adrien Magnan for the general patented exploitation of shearing machines. January 1, 1818.
Copy of agreement between Poupart de Neuflize and John Collier for the construction of shearing machines. 1818.
Deed of partnership between John Collier, Émile Magnan and Adrien Magnan. December 31, 1823.
Copy of deed of partnership for the construction and sale of mowing machines called helical mowers. February 7, 1826.
Note on the operations of the Société des Tondeuses. April 30, 1833.
Certificate of application for a patent, for a machine to weave sheets and other fabrics. June 30, 1825.
Certificate of application for a second patent for a machine to weave sheets and other fabrics. March 3, 1826.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] 'Dictionnaire des étrangers qui ont fait la France' edited by Pascal Ory, publ. Robert Laffont, 2013
- ↑ [2] Almanach et annuaire des batiments, des travaux publics et de l'industrie, P. F. Sageret, 1841
- ↑ [3] 'L'innovation technique dans l'industrie textile pendant la Révolution' by Serge Chassagne. Histoire, économie & société, 1993 12-1 pp. 51-61
- ↑ [4] Giquello et Associés, Paris: COLLIER (John) - Lot 177