John Rue Barker, Watt's partner in 1772, was in financial trouble after he owed Burton 1200. Bolton took the opportunity to own two-thirds of Watt's patent rights and exempted John from his debts. Three years later, Bolton and Watt officially became partners. Bolton devoted all his energy and financial resources to make Watt's dream of steam engine come true. Bolton also extended Watt's patent protection from 1769 to 1799 through Congress in 1775. /kloc-in 0/800, both partners retired and handed over the whole enterprise to their next generation Matthew Robinson and George w James watt.