Hugh Lee Pattinson

Hugh Lee Pattinson (1796-1858) of Felling Chemical Works

1796 Born 25 December at Alston, son of Thomas Pattinson and his wife Margaret (nee Lee)

1812 His father died

1815 Married Phoebe Walton

c1821 Pattinson became clerk and assistant to Anthony Clapham, a soap boiler in Newcastle.

1825 Became lead assay master to the lords of the manor at Alston (the Greenwich Hospital commissioners).

1829 He discovered an easy and economic method of separating the silver from lead ore, but owing to want of funds was not then able to complete his researches.

1829 Birth of son Hugh Lee Pattinson

1831 he was appointed manager to the lead works of Wentworth Beaumont where, after further experiments, he perfected his process for desilverizing lead, and finally patented it in 1833.

1834 he resigned his position and went into partnership with John Lee and George Burnett, establishing a chemical works at Felling near Gateshead. He then developed improved processes for obtaining white lead and also one for making basic carbonate of magnesium, both patented in 1841.

1841 Hugh Pattinson 40, chemical maker, lived in Gateshead with Phebe Pattinson 40, Ellen Pattinson 20, Margaret Pattinson 20, Walter Pattinson 1 Mo

1849 His daughter, Mary, married Robert Stirling Newall, another Gateshead businessman.

1850 With his son-in-law, Isaac Lowthian Bell, established a chemical works at Washington, manufacturing an oxychloride of lead.

1851 Hugh L Pattinson 54, manufacturing chemist, lived in Boldon, Westoe, South Shields, with Phebe Pattinson 54

1851 Purchased a refracting telescope with a 7½ inch lens by Thomas Cooke of York, one of the largest then made, which he erected at his home

1855 Manufacturing chemist at H. L. Pattinson and Co

On retiring from business he indulged his interest in astronomy.

1858 Died 11 November at Scot's House, Gateshead

See Also

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Sources of Information

• Biography of Hugh Lee Pattinson, ODNB