Description:The Sutherland Papers Collection contains a huge variety of documents relating to technological developments on the Leveson-Gower family’s estates in Staffordshire. A number of intriguing papers amongst these documents relate to the construction of a wind engine at Hill Chorlton Farm in the early twentieth century. One printed paper was sent to the Duke of Sutherland’s agent George Menzies by E & H Roberts, Ltd who were ‘Aerial, Hydraulic, Agricultural & Sanitary Engineers’ in Buckinghamshire. The company’s paper is headed with an illustration of the Hercules windmill which had been awarded ‘Four First Prize Medals’. The paper is also watermarked with intricate images of wind engines and hydraulic equipment.
E & H Roberts wrote to Menzies thanking him for considering their company to supply the wind engine for Hill Chorlton Farm. The letter states that they would aim to deliver the Wind Engine ‘in from 14 to 21 days after receipt of order’. The letter concludes ‘we are very busy in this department of our works, but should we be favoured with your esteemed orders we will give the same our best attention’.