Matthew Boulton
(1728-1809)

Sarehole Mill site of water mill since 1542. Used by Matthew Boulton in mid 18th Century rebuilt 1768 inspired J. R. R. Tolkien 1896-1900

Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham, United Kingdom where they worked

Matthew Boulton 1766-1809 lived here

Soho House, Soho Avenue, Handsworth, Birmingham, United Kingdom where they lived

Matthew Boulton 1728-1809 engineer and co-founder of the Lunar Society was born near here

corner of Steelhouse Lane and Priory Queensway, Birmingham, United Kingdom where they was born (1728)

Birmingham Assay Office. Since the 14th century in Britain articles of silver and gold have had to be tested at an assay office for metal purity standard and there hallmarked to protect the customer from fraud. Until the 1750s Birmingham's silversmiths and jewellers had to send their goods to London or Chester assay offices, which was inconvenient and expensive. Matthew Boulton campaigned for Birmingham to have its own Assay Office. In 1773 the first Birmingham Assay Office was opened on New Street. At first only silver was hallmarked not until 1824 could gold be marked with the Birmingham anchor mark. The Assay office has been in the present building since 1878.

Corner of Charlotte Street and Newhall Street, Birmingham, United Kingdom where they campaigned for Birmingham to have its own Assay Office