John Payne (2)
of Bridgwater, Somerset.
Merchant and inventor.
1728 'London, Nov. 26. We are certainly informed that Mr. John Payne of Bridgewater, in the County of Somerset Merchant, hath obtained his Majesty's Royal Letters Patent, for the sole Use and Benefit of a new Engine, which he hath invented for moving large Hammers, &c. and also a new Way and Method of extending or applying the Heat of Fire to a much greater Advantage than has hitherto been practised, for the melting of all Sorts of Materials and Metaline Ores, and moulding or shaping of vitrified Scoria, or Dross of Metals or Metaline Ores, into Bricks, Tyles, or other Forms, fit for Conveniencies and Ornaments in building; and also for drying of Malt and Meal, and in Brewing and Distilling; and likewise in Refining of Salt from Salt Rock, and making the same from Brine or salt Water, in a better and cheaper Manner than now it is; and also, for the sole Use and Benefit of certain Ingredients to be put into Frison with Pig, Sow, or cast brittle Iron, which will render the same as malleable, as if it were done with Charcoal, &c.' [1]
'…as early as 1728, a grant had been made to one, John Payne, of a patent for the use of iron rollers in the fining process. ….. John Payne apparently never put the process into practice, and the memory of his patent was only revived when interested ironmasters wished to repudiate their obligation to Henry Cort.[2]
'…Patent No. 505 which was obtained by John Payne also in 1728. The wording was rather vague but the proposal was to melt pig iron with various fluxes in a reverbatory furnace (air furnace). It is then stated that the malleable iron obtained is hammered into 'barrs' and these are passed between "two large mettall rowlers (which have proper notches or furrows on their surface)….into such shapes and forms as shall be required".
The importance of this specification is the implication that pig iron can be rendered malleable by treatment in an air furnace and the mention of what appear to be grooved rolls to process this iron into the required form…..' [3]