Richard Frank

Richard was the son of Thomas I and Elizabeth, being born on 13th November 1711. He was apprenticed to his father on 9th February 1726, gaining his freedom on 23rd March 1734. On 15th September 1737 he married Mary Hellier. They had the following children: Thomas (born 8th November 1738), Elizabeth (born 27th November 1739), Richard (born 8th November 1740), Elisha (born 10th December 1741), William (born 11th Jan 1742), Mary (born 29th May 1744), Hannah (born 22nd August 1745), Richard I (born 20th September 1746), Richard II (born 14th Jun 1748), George (born (17th August 1749), Ann and John (twins born 8th March 1750) and Samuel (born 19th Fenruary 1754). His wife Mary was buried on 25th September 1769, and his death was announced in Bonner & Middleton's Bristol Journal on 30th April 1785 (the actual death happened on the 23rd): "Saturday died Mr Richard Frank, in Water Lane, Temple Street; who has carried on the Pottery business in this city many years, with the greatest integrity."

Richard had taken over the Reclifff Back delftware pottery from his father by 1745. In 1759 he took over John Harwell's stoneware pottery, which was nearby, however these premises were given up during the following year. In 1777 he gave up the Redcliff Back premises, taking over the delftware pottery at Temple Backs. The following appeared in the Bristol Gazette on 12th June 1777: "Richard Frank and Son's Earthen and Stone Pot Works are removed from Redcliff Backs to Water Lane, Temple Street, where they continue the same Business in all its Branches." The son in question was Thomas II, who was in partnership with his father between 1766 and 1777 (the son was bankrupt in 1778). In 1784 he sold the pottery to his son-in-law Joseph Ring.

Type

Date

Ship

Master

From/To

Merchant

Cargo

Exp

20 Jan 1770

Champion

David Chew

Rotterdam

Rd Frank & Son

300 stone pots, 300 stone bottles.

Exp

7 May 1770

Jane & Ann

John Taylor

Carrickfergus

Rd Frank & Son

40 tons Irish clay.

Exp

12 Jun 1770

Charlotte

Joseph Saunders

Rotterdam

Rd Frank & Son

400 strings chamber pots, 1000 worp jugs & mugs, 900 stone bottles.

Exp

6 Nov 1770

Union

Joseph Perkins

Rotterdam

Rd Frank & Son

300 worp jugs & mugs, 200 strings chamber pots, 950 stone pots uncovered.

Imp

13 Nov 1779

Elizabeth Packet

P Simmister

Cork

Rd Frank & Co

1 tierce China ware.

The above are taken from the Port Presentments (BRL), which only commence in 1770.

According to J W Damer Powell on 19th November 1747 Richard Frank, Elisha Hollier (probably Hellier) and Edmund Lewis were the owners of the privateer Olive Tree. She was of 100 tons, had 10 guns, a crew of 40 and the captain was Newell Harris. This was certainly a risky venture, owning only one vessel, since she could be captured on her first voyage! Most merchants had interests in several privateers.

Type	Date	Ship	Master	From/To	Merchant	Cargo
Exp	20 Jan 1770	Champion	David Chew	Rotterdam	Rd Frank & Son	300 stone pots, 300 stone bottles.
Exp	7 May 1770	Jane & Ann	John Taylor	Carrickfergus	Rd Frank & Son	40 tons Irish clay.
Exp	12 Jun 1770	Charlotte	Joseph Saunders	Rotterdam	Rd Frank & Son	400 strings chamber pots, 1000 worp jugs & mugs, 900 stone bottles.
Exp	6 Nov 1770	Union	Joseph Perkins	Rotterdam	Rd Frank & Son	300 worp jugs & mugs, 200 strings chamber pots, 950 stone pots uncovered.
Imp	13 Nov 1779	Elizabeth Packet	P Simmister	Cork	Rd Frank & Co	1 tierce China ware.
The above are taken from the Port Presentments (BRL), which only commence in 1770.