Agreements Between John Ferrabee & Edwin Beard Budding

The first formal agreement between John Ferrabee and Edwin Beard Budding concerning the lawnmower is an indenture agreement dated 18 May 1830. This outlines that the two men would collaborate, with John Ferrabee providing the finance required to produce the new design.

The two men would almost certainly have known each other well at this point. They were neighbours and may also have been friends in addition to being in business together with interests at Thrupp Mill. We can assume that the lawnmower was conceived well before the patent was applied for and granted. This indenture agreement would have helped to formulate the relationship between the two men with regards to the investments and production of the new machine.

Budding subsequently applied for the patent which was granted on 31 August 1830 as No. 5990. As an addendum to the patent documents, Budding and Ferrabee agreed that:

"Mr. J. Ferrabee, of the Thrupp Mill and foundry, near Stroud, engineer, is, by agreement with the patentee, the only person that is, or will be, authorised by him to make, vend, or license, these new machines; and due exertion will be made to supply the public, from his establishment, on the most satisfactory terms."

The original copies of the indenture dated 18 May and the patent dated 31 August 1830 are both kept at the Museum in the Park, Stroud, a mere 2.5 miles from the site of Thrupp Mill.