Extract from 'Paper Mills and Paper Makers in England 1495-1800' by Alfred H. Shorter[1]
Mill No.4. Hatfield Mill
1680 The paper mill is marked on the map of Hertfordshire by John Seller, John Oliver and Richard Palmer. The earliest proprietors or master paper makers are not known.
1720 The son of Isaac Moores, paper maker, was apprenticed to a tailor. A.G.B., 7/194
1745 JOHN ARCHER, paper maker, insured property, S.F.I.P. 104400 (17th Feb., 1745)
1749. John Archer, paper maker, took out a similar policy, S.F.I.P. 120492 (22nd March, 1749).
1781 THOMAS VALLANCE, paper maker and stationer, of 120 Cheapside (London), advertised writing, wrapping and printing paper of his own manufacture. A.W.C.. (2nd Jan., 1781). He was probably the proprietor of this mill then. He was certainly at Hatfield Mill in 1790, when several of his paper makers and servants there (Thomas Arnold, John Corrall, Thomas Peacock, William Maybank, Thomas Nash, John Davis, James Harditch, William Farr, John Wade, Thomas Adkins and Pardoe Green) were sent for trial ‘for a Conspiracy to raise their wages 1s. a week’. Hertfordshire County Records, Calendar to the Sessions Books, VIII, 1752-99, 399 (refers to Easter Session 1790).
1782 the paper mill was insured by ROBERT LYON and ALLEN LAMBERT, paper makers, of Carshalton (Surrey). S.F.I.P.469042 (26th December., 1782).
The mill must have continued to be in the tenure of Thomas Vallance. In 1794, as a paper maker and stationer of Hatfield and 120 Cheapside (London), he advertised that all paper with watermarks made at his mills would be carefully finished and immediately forwarded from his own hand. N.Co (19th Apr., 1794).
1796 A watermark T VALLANCE 1796 is in a paper in the Whatman and Balston Archives. Thomas Vallance was a master paper maker in that year. Meeting of Master Paper Makers of the whole district of Hertfordshire (5th Feb., 1796), P.S.M.
The mill appears to have been in his hands up to 1796.
1803 THOMAS CRESWICK was the master paper maker at Hatfield. Letter (17th June, 1803), P.S.M.
1804 A watermark VALLANCE 1804 is in a paper in the Whatman and Balston Archives. This may, however, be connected with the paper mill at Pickford rather than with Hatfield Mill.