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Anthony Amatt (1761-1851) |
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Both Owen and Pountney devote several pages to Amatt, despite the fact that his place in the history of Bristol ceramics appears rather small. I will not repeat this, as much of it is probably incorrect. However Jewitt says the following: "In 1794-5 Amatt was living in Twerton, in Somersetshire, painting (as proved by bills in my possession) on earthenware and china for Mr. Egan of Bath, brother-in-law of the second William Duesbury, of the Derby China Works. He was afterwards a stocking weaver." Before coming to Bristol he may have been involved in worsted manufacture at Twerton in Bath. The first documentary evidence of Amatt in Bristol is on 28th August 1798 when Amatt, Harris, Watts and Peall purchased the site of the old glasshouse. It is unlikely the William Watts or Peall were involved in the business. Amatt is recorded as paying rates on a house (part of the site) in 1799, and by 1804 a further part is described as Amatt and Harris, Worsted Manufactory. Its high rateable value of 30 pounds shows that it was a sizeable business. The business had probably started in 1800, but rate entries for 1800-1 describe it as a cotton factory, and 1802-3 as a worsted factory without mentioning Amatt. The glasshouse was on the East side of Thomas Street, at the junction with Portwall Lane, and had operated from 1764 to 1794. By 25th March 1818 the rent records show that the house and the business were gone, the leases on these properties, plus others, were surrendered to St Mary Redcliff church for 1200 pounds (Manchee). The money presumably going to Harris's creditors (see below). Amatt paid rates on the Crews Hole pottery for 1819-26. In 1828 a trade directory gives his address as the King's Arms Tavern in Narrow Wine Street. On 20th November 1816 Amatt's affairs were placed in the hands of trustees, following the death of his co-partner Wintour Harris, attorney at law, who died a bankrupt. The principle creditors were Stephen Wilkins, Francis Hoare, Thomas Slatter, William Reynolds and John Pitt. The total amount owing to creditors was 7642 pounds 9 shillings and 10.5 pence. The initial payment was only to be 5 shillings in the pound, Amatt is described as a worsted spinner residing in the city of Bristol. The firm's property was in the parish of St Mary Redcliff, for which there was a lease. By law Amatt was responsible for his partner's debts. The aggreement protected Amatt against debts exceeding 20 pounds. Wintour Harris was an attorney and is listed as Under Chamberlain at Somerset Square in 1787 (the first name is spelt as Winter) and from at least 1795 was Deputy Chamberlain, with premises at 7 Trinity Street. For some of this period he also had an office at the Small Street court. The 1812 Matthews' listing shows that he had become Chamberlain, with a residence at St. James's Place, and an office as before. He remained Chamberlain, but the following year the residence is shown as 7 Trinity Street. A son, also called Wintour, was also an attorney. The 1816 listing has W & J Harris, attornies, Small Street Court; and Wintour Harris, attorney, Frenchay. On 25th March 1829 Amatt entered into a co-partnership agreement with Thomas Goldney, the firm to be styled as Goldney and Amatt, and the partnership was for 14 years. The total capital was 875 pounds, of which Goldney put in 435 pounds. Amatt was to be the manager and contributed machinery, working tools, stock and the lease of a premises "of place where the work is now carried out" (address not given, but it suggests an existing business). The business was formed for "worsted and yarn manufacture". Amatt is described as residing in the parish of St. Phillip & Jacob, in Gloucestershire, and his trade as worsted and yarn manufacturer. Matthews directory for 1826 lists Thomas Goldney, Agent & Dealer in Roman Cement, Bear Lane, Temple Street; with a residential address of 16 St Pauls St., St Pauls. The 1827-30 editions list Thomas Goldney, agent for the Eagle Life Assurance and Protector Fire Company, 16 St Pauls Street, Portland Square. There is no mention of the Goldney and Amatt partnership, so perhaps it was only short-lived. It is quite likely that the partnership ended in bankruptcy, presumanly of Goldney, for in June 1833 the Bristol Mercury advertised advertised for persons having a claim on the estate of Goldney and Amatt. The business was described as wool spinning. Another partnership must have been formed for on 6th October 1832 Felix Farley's Bristol Journal announced that the partnership between Anthony Amatt and Edwin Allies, worsted spinners, in Cheese Lane, St Philips parish, was dissolved. Allies was, at that time, a partner in the Bristol pottery. Amatt seems to have shippped a Boulton and Watt steam engine to Tesson Mill in Jersey during the 1830s (source: C Aubin, National Trust of Jersey), which may have come from the Cheese Lane business. At some time, possibly 1832, Amatt went to work for William Powell, at his stoneware pottery. According to Pountney he was a kiln man. He was certainly there in 1835 when Powell developed his improved stoneware glaze, Septimus Powell relating the problems caused by Amatt's faulty kiln management, which were corrected when William Powell fired the kiln in his own way. Amatt proably retired when aged about 80 and was paid a pension by Powell. In Amatt's will he left all of his personal property to his nephew George Amatt, who is described as a carpenter, of Sacheverel Street, in the borough of Derby. The sole executor was William Powell, who received 200 pounds from an account, held by Stuckey's bank (the bank was in High Street and was also called the Castle Bank), which contained 500 pounds plus interest. Another 200 pounds, plus interest, would be used to pay 8 shillings a week to Susannah Tippett, who had resided with him for 50 years (she was probably a servant). Any remaining money, after expenses, would go to George Amatt, he would also get any residue following the death of Susannah Tippett. The will is dated 12th April 1851 (I assume that this is the date of proof, not when it was prepared). Additional sources - Anthony Amatt's Notebooks. Available in Bristol Reference Library (reference 21056). Site plan BRO P. St MR/Pl/1/27. Amatt assignment to trustees of 1816 and partnership agreement with Thomas Goldney of 1829 (BRO 12877 27-28). St George rates (BRO). C Aubin, National Trust of Jersey. Amatt's will of 1851 (BRO). |
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