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Stoneware and Redware Potters This does not list all the Bristol potteries from 1800 onwards, and little mention is made of brick making. For details of these please see R K Henrywood's "Bristol Potters 1775-1906". However, it does list potteries which continued, or were started after 1906. Some of the delftware potteries also made stoneware, these are covered in the delftware section. |
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James Alsop James Alsop was apprenticed at Temple Back on 9th November 1761, presumably as a stoneware potter. He gained his freedom on 4th October 1774. In 1775 he was a potter at 9 Water Lane, and is listed at Temple Street between 1783 and 1803. In 1799 the business was listed at 125 Temple Street. He was making brown stoneware. In 1803 James Alsop junior moved to Thomas Street (he remained there until 1805) and 125 Temple Street was taken over by Price and Read. On 28th February 2002 a salt-glazed stoneware cribbage board passed through Clevedon Salerooms. On the upper surface was impressed "Betsy Cuppells 1780" and on the underside "Jas. Alsop Decem'y 1780". I wish I could have afforded to buy it, and if so would have presented it to Bristol museum. |
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Bedminster The pottery was in Boot Lane, Bedminister. The earliest reference is in 1786, when it was operated by Richard Room. Room had become a free potter in 1784, due to his marriage to Mary Bedbury. The pottery was small, having at the most seven employees. It made brown ware, bread, milk and salting pans, sugar and garden pots. Room died in 1790 and by 1792 the pottery was occupied by Peter Dean. From 1821-1823 his wife, Margaret, took over. It was then run by Dean's son-in-law, Charles Cook. It remained with the Cook family until closure in 1851. A day book for part of 1788-9 survives (now kept by St Mary Redcliff church). The day book is reproduced in Jackson/Price. Amongst other accounts it shows wages for 12 separate weeks, covering eight employees, although there were a maximum of seven in any one week. The highest paid employee received 15 shillings or slightly more a week, the lowest paid (presumably a boy) 4 shillings. The average was about 9 shillings. The wages of some of the workmen varied, probably indicating that they were paid for what they produced (piece work). One of the employees is referred to as "and son". Was he a separate business, or did his son work with him? |
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Counterslip Counterslip was in Temple Parish and off Temple Street. On the 17th March 1764 the following appeared in Felix Farley's Bristol Journal: "At Read and Co's Brown Stone Pot House, at Counterslip, near Temple Cross, Bristol, merchants and others may be supplied with all sorts of stone bottles, as cheap as imported, also pickling jars, &c. 30 per cask under the common selling Price in this City. Likewise all sorts of mugs, &c at the lowest prices". The proprietor of the business was Charles Read, a former apprentice of Paul Townsend. He paid rates on the property between 1764 and 1774, latterly with a rateable value of 16 pounds. Afterwards the property (number 3) is shown as a warehouse with a rateable value of only 6 pounds, therefore it had ceased to be a pottery. Joseph Gadd paid rates on the property between 1784 and 1796, it is described as a warehouse and had a rateable value of only 4 pounds. Patience and Gadd are listed as potters, at Counterslip, in 1785, being followed by Joseph Gadd and Co from 1787-96). They were presumably only selling pottery from the warehouse. Joseph Gadd paid rates on a second property, in Counterslip, for 1793-97. This has a rateable value of 11 pounds, so it was presumably a pottery. William Maynard paid the rates, on this second property, until 1801. On 7th February 1797 the following appeared in Bonner and Middleton's Bristol Journal: "WILLIAM MAYNARD Glazed-ware, Garden Pot, Chimney pot and WATER PIPE MANUFACTURER, begs leave to return Thanks to his Friends for past favors, and to inform them and the public in general, that he is REMOVED from the late POTTERY in St Philip's to Counter Slip, bottom of Bath Street, Bristol, where he makes every article in the above branches, and flatters himself where a continuance their favors, which he shall endeavour to merit by making his Goods of the best quality and largest size. N. B. Good allowance to Wholesale Dealers. Two Apprentices wanted immediately". From the description it would appear to be close to the earlier pottery. Trade directories list William Maynard at Counterslip between 1798 and 1801 (he had previously been in Bread Street, St Philip's, for 1783-97). Note that he was making redwares not stonewares. Gadd moved to Temple Street in 1796 (see 124 Temple Street below), before dying in 1798. Patience had formerly been the landlord of the Cross Keys alehouse in Temple Street and died in 1785. His son, Edward Patience, paid rates on a pottery in Temple Backs (or Pipe Lane), for 1804-14. He also paid rates on another property in Avon Street (Temple parish) for 1809-11. It is not known what products he made. |
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Crews Hole Crews Hole is on the opposite bank of the river Avon from St Annes. The Crown Clay Company operated in Crews Hole, between 1880 and 1882. They also had premises at Ring's Wharf, Temple Back (1880-6), and Pipe Lane (1887). The Pipe Lane property appears to have been taken over by Andrew Knowles (see Pipe Lane, below). The Crews Hole site was taken over by the Bristol Fire Clay Company and from 1693-1798 had been a glasshouse. The Bristol Fire Clay Company were also in Crews Hole between 1884 and 1913. It made sanitary ware, chimney pots, fire bricks, tiles, etc. There was an office at 15 Passage Street (1884-1904) and 6 & 7 Lower Castle Street (1905-11). Kelly's directory for 1894 lists H C Burge as the manager. The 1902 map shows "Fireclay Works" both at Crews Hole and Conham, with 10 kilns between them. Each site is much larger than Amatt's pottery. There is an interesting letter by George Elliott (Bristol Evening Post 15/1/08), which gives details of an agreement of 19/11/1889 where Samuel Powell would deliver clay to the company, from the mine under Troopers Hill. The mine had three entrances, two near the rear of the Lamb Inn. In the 1890s a man called Lacy was killed in the mine. I assume the mine also produced coal (fireclay is often found in coal measures). See also Anthony Amatt. |
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John Hassall Hassall is listed as a brown stone potter at Leek Lane from 1813 to 1834. He also appears in Merchant Street (1814-25) and Norfolk Street (1826-33). The name also appears as Hassell. Leek Lane, in St James's parish, was a continuation of York Street and is now under Bond Street. Norfolk Street (close to Leek Lane) was a continuation of Norfolk Avenue and ran parallel to Pembroke Street, but has now gone. Merchant Street is still there, but even in the 19th century would be an unlikely site of a pottery. In 1834 John Hassal paid 18.9d duty. The Leek Lane site was in operation by someone prior to Hassall for on 24th October 1811 the following appeared in the Bristol Gazette: "Brown Stoneware Manufactory - Leek Lane, Bristol. The occupier of the above premises, having been unexpectedly induced to settle in Exeter, is desirous of letting this manufactory; the kilns of which are in excellent order". |
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He was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, in 1826, to Joseph and Ellen, and was the seventh of their 11 children. Joseph was a potter by trade. He first appears in Bristol, at 2 Water Lane in 1851-5, followed by Stapleton Road 1857-8, then various other addresses. He seems to have been a commercial traveller (salesman) with possible connections to the Bristol Pottery and the Cornwallis Pottery. He may have a partnership with John Ellis in 1856-58. In 1875 he is described as a redware manufacturer at Temple Backs (he had taken over William Hutchings pottery by 1873). In 1883 the pottery is listed as the Temple Stoneware Pottery, with a claim that it was founded in 1802. This business comtinued until 1901. There was a separate business listed in 1883, Hawley & Son, tobacco pipe manufacturers, also in Temple Back. An 1887 plan shows that the Temple Backs pipe works abuted, on the west side, onto the coal yard owned by Pountneys. Therefore this was the premises previously occupied by Richard Frank Ring the pipemaker. Some of Hawley's wares are known to have been marked. |
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Lewins Mead On the 15th August 1771 the Bristol Gazette announced that all the stock in trade of John Gates' pothouse, opposite White Friars, in Lewins Mead, was to be sold. The stock was brown stoneware - oil jars, pickling pots, pitchers and mugs (quart, pint and half pint). The pothouse was to be let; it had four good wheels, four dwelling rooms, etc. White Friars is today marked by an office building of the same name, and opposite is a multi-storey car park and another office block. Nothing else is known about it. |
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Pipe Lane and Temple Backs Edward Patience, paid rates on a pottery in Temple Backs (or Pipe Lane), for 1804-14. By 1820 Jonathan Flood had taken over the pottery, where he continued until 1847. He was a redware potter and the pottery was near Pountney's. In 1848 he was succeeded by Charles Webb, a redware and water pipe manufacturer, and also an apothecary and chemist. He in turn was succeeded by Mrs Leah Webb (presumably his widow) in 1853. An advertisement, for the pottery was placed in the Bristol Mirror on 12th Februray 1848, it read "Red Ware pipes for flues, hot air (as supplied to the Victoria Rooms, &c.), draining, and conveyance of water underground, for which purposes they are highly recommended, both on account of salubrity and economy, made of any dimensions. At Webb's (late Flood's) Red Ware, Chimney, and garden Pot Manufactory, Temple Back, Bristol. An allowance made to architects, builders, &c.". William Hutchins took over in 1855 and by 1873 rates were paid by William Hutchings and William Hutchings junior. Trade directories show then continuing until 1885. In 1856 William Hutchings also bought Duffet's pottery in Pipe Lane, he also had a pottery at Barton Hill (1856-64), would later have a factory in St Phillip's Marsh (1862-1885). In 1891 the firm made "Garden and Fancy Pots and Red Ware". The Pipe Lane pottery closed in 1907. The Pipe Lane site was partly excavated in 1994; jugs, jars, flowerpot and various other shards were found. Andrew Knowles also ran a pottery in Pipe Lane (see 1902 map), probably succeeding the Crown Clay Co.. It is listed in Wright between 1887 to 1909. The pottery made sanitary wares. Other addresses are Station Road, Montpellier (1893); Lawrence Hill (1897-1901); and at an office at Ring's Wharf, Temple Backs (Wright 1906). In 1889 the style of the firm became Andrew Knowles & Co. Wright (1903-9) lists the firm as A G Knowles & Co. |
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St Pauls Daniel Organ appears in Mathews directories of 1809-11 as a stonewre potter at Leek Lane. On 22nd September 1810 the Bristol Mirror advertised that all the stock in trade of Daniel Organ, a bankrupt potter of Leek Lane, St Paul's, Bristol, was to be sold on 25th September, together with the lease of the premises. The stock consisted of stone bottles, barrels, jars, jugs, pots, etc. |
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St Phillips On 19th December 1758 Felix Farley's Bristol Journal reported: "Yesterday morning a fire broke out in a Pot house adjoining to the Glasshouse in St Phillips." More than one glasshouse was operating in St Phillips at the time, so the pottery cannot be identified. In any case it may not have been a separate pottery, but part of the glasshouse used for making glassmakers pots, which were used for melting glass. There are references to Axford's pothouse, 1692-1730, which became known as Dun's (or Don's) pothouse until 1741. The business was succeeded by Hillhouse & Co, although some of the rate book entries describe the property as a pothouse, others describe it as an iron foundery. Hillhouse was followed by Getly & Co, Sketchley (1775) lists Reynolds, Getly & Co, iron merchants, 7 Small Street. This would suggest that the premises was used for making iron pots. Charles Axford was described as a founder in 1692 when he lived in St Philips with is wife, one child and a maid. Edward Rumney (or Rumley) may have had a pottery in Avon Street in 1749, but this in uncertain. He also seems to have been in Avon Street for 1736-41. Between 1760 and 1769 William and Mary Maynard took eight apprentices. They appear to have had various addresses: Old Market, Bread Street, Three Crowns Lane, and Back Lane. The pottery was probably in Bread Street. William Maynard junior may have carried on the pottery between 1777 and 1798, before he moved to Counterslip. Maynard's apprentice, Earl Pearce, became a potter in Bread Street. With his wife he took five apprentices. The business being carried on by his widow between 1796 and 1814. On 17th September 1772 the Bristol Gazette carried details of a poterry, in Avon Street, let to Alexander Edgar for a term of 21 years, of which 15 were unexpired. Cole and Spokes were brown stone potters, in Avon street, during 1815 and 1816. They may have been succeeded by Spokes and Bourne in 1816. James Spokes was also in Avon Street during 1817 and 1818, although this could be John Spokes. A John Spokes is also listed in Avon Street from 1817 and the pottery remained with the family until 1889. Coles and Pearce are also listed in Avon Street during 1825. A John Cole is also listed in Great George Street (1820) and St. Philips Marsh from 1830 to 1835, making brown stone and red wares. John Cole was succeeded by Francis Cole (1836-1856). In 1845 she insured her brown-stone and red-ware pottery, plus two nearby houses and a small tenement. Between 1837 and 1846 Edward Hillhouse Cole took out five insurance policies on different properties. He is described as a potter and retailer of beer, although no policy mentions a pottery. His address is given as 22 York Street, Dings. In 1830 John Hillhouse Cole and John Cole junior, potters, voted from St Philip's Marsh. The entries are the same in 1832, with the addition of John Cole, victualler, Marsh (this may be a duplicate vote). In 1835 and 1837 the victualler does not vote, but the others do. In 1834 John Cole paid £2.8.9 duty and J Spokes paid £1.5.0. William Henry Pardoe appears in Avon Street between 1847 and 1866. The last two entries show the firm as Charles and George Pardoe, Henry and Charles Pardoe are also listed in 1863. They made tobacco pipes, stoneware, and brown ware garden pots. An insurance policy for 1847 mentions a brown stoneware kiln, small glazing kiln, and a stove for pipe manufacturing. Samuel Sheppard is listed in Bread Street for 1801 and then Avon Street for 1803-24, he was followed by his widow Mary until 1827. They were redware potters. On 27th September 1828 Mary advertised in the Bristol Mirror that the pottery was to let. Jonathan Flood then ran the pottery until 1847, he also had a redware pottery on Temple Backs (1818-47). In 1838 John Wright, of Avon Street, took out an insurance policy. The policy mentions the preparation of clay and the address as a manufactory. The policy is for 1900 pounds, which suggests a substantial business. There is no mention of the business in the trade directories, but Matthews does list a John F Wright residing at 10 York Place, Montpellier The Albert Pottery Co. is not mentioned until 1869, however the business was started by John Cole, in Great George Street, St. Judes, in 1820. He moved to St. Phillips Marsh in 1830 and Francis Cole took over in 1836. Francis was succeeded by Lavinia Cole (or Joseph Hands) in 1869. Early listings mention brown stoneware and redware. A plan of 1877 (BRO building plans volume 13/61a) shows that the pottery had two kilns, an office, warehouse, boiler room, engine room, a room for rollers (suggesting tile making), stable, WC and cess pool. In 1885 they made "all kind of flower and garden pots" and in 1923 (Kelly) are listed as a redware pottery. The address in 1875 was Albert Street, followed by York Street (1883-94) and then Victoria Terrace. Victoria Terrace is a continuation of York Street, so it is likely both addresses refer to the same premises (see the 1902 map). John F Moorse is listed as the manager from 1875. The Albert pottery Co. was last listed in 1908. However, in 1911 the Wright directory lists Walter Moorse, Victoria Terrace. Then there are entries for Walter John Moorse, Albert Pottery, Victoria Terrace, for 1912 to 1934. Walter is presumably the son of John F Moorse. John Moorse is listed in Wright's directories (1901-8) with a residentail address at Stoneliegh, 2 Lower Kensington Park, St. Annes (also referred as New Brislington). The 1908 edition gives his middle initial as F. The 1909 edition lists Mrs Jane Moorse, 3 Kensington Park, Brislington. This is presumably the widow, and the address could be the same, due to a mistake or a re-numbering. Apart from Price, Powell & Co., and Pountneys at Fishponds, this was the last surviving pottery in Bristol. The Avon-Bank Brick and Tile Co. may be the brickworks shown on the 1902 map. It was listed, in Wright, from 1870-94. Chistopher James is shown as the proprietor for 1884/5 (residential address - 4 Alexandra Place, Clifton), and Owen A Thomas for 1887 (residential address - 2 Cambridge Terrace, Totterdown). The St. Silas Pottery was operated by members of the Hickey Family between 1869 and 1903. They made tiles and bricks. There was a clay pit next to the pottery (see the map). In the Bristol Gazette on 17th September 1772 among properties for sale by auction were a brickyard, kiln and sheds, on the side of the Avon and let to John Easton in 1769 for a term of 21 years. Also Alexander Edgar had a pottery in Avon Street, for a term of 21 years, of which 15 were unexpired. This advertisement also mentions the Sugar Mould Pottery. |
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Stapleton Road The Cornwallis Pottery was in Stapleton Road. In 1855 it is listed as Mayer & Co, and in 1857-8 as Morgan and Hawley. The pottery maunfactured earthenware, porcelain amd sanitary ware. It has been suggested that this is the mystery porcelain maker, described by Hugh Owen as being in Easton. The pottery was close to Easton. Two pieces in the Bristol Museum were possibly made there. There is aslo Mayer, Boulton & Co. listed in 1855. They are stoneware potters, and they made sanitary wares at Nailsea (the Nailsea works were formerly Coathupes & Co.), there was also a London depot at 10 or 18 City Basin. I would think it unlikely that this pottery made porcelain, this would required different kilns to earthenware, and required considerable care in firing (its temperature is very critical). In fact it may have only been a depot. William Maule & Sons were horticultural potters in Stapleton Road from 1854 to 1884. The firm started out as nurserymen at Lower Easton in 1815. They also had an address in Stoke Gifford from 1836, at Broadmead from 1837 to 1846 and in Stoke Bishop (1875-79). After 1884 they reverted to nurserymen until 1889. The Stapleton Road pottery was in Seymour Place. In 1838 Maule insured a dwelling house and shop in Stapleton Road, plus another house in Hambrook. |
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124 Temple Street Joseph Gadd & Co had moved here, from Counterslip, in 1796. In the same year Gadd had entered into partnership with Charles Price. After Gadd's death in 1798 Price continued at the pottery, entering into partnership with Joseph Read about 1800. They traded as Price and Read, and in 1805 moved to 125 Temple Street. John Duffett worked at the pottery from 1805 to 1820, after which it was taken over by John Milsom. |
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131 Temple Street In 1775 the property was occupied by Thomas Fletcher. By 1782 John Hope had married Thomas's widow and was engaged in making brown stoneware at the pottery. In 1812 Hope had entered into a partnership with John Bright. The partnership was ended on 31st December 1822, by the death of John Hope, John Bright continuing alone (Bristol Gazette). The Bright family ran it until 1853, when it became part of Price's pottery. In 1834 John Bright paid £50.10.0 duty. John Bright died and on 12th February 1848 Jane and Ann Bright, his daughters, advertised in the Bristol Mirror, that they were taking over his business. On 24th May 1811 John Hope of Temple Street had insured a house, in the tenure of Mrs Barber. He had also insured his own house for 100 pounds; contents for 200 pounds; a pottery (adjoining the house) for 400 pounds; and a house in the tenure of a baker for 400 pounds. A baker was a risky profession for fire insurance, hence the high premium. A canceled insurance policy for 1853 shows that Charles Price owned Bright's premises, which consisted of a pottery and a dwelling house. The property was presumably purchased in 1843, for in that year the Bristol Mercury advertised that the freehold was for sale by auction. The pottery had a frontage of 44 feet and extended backwards 180 feet, there was also a hauling way behind an adjoining property of width 60 feet and depth 100 feet. It had an office, dwelling house, warehouses and lofts, 4 brick kilns, sheds, drying rooms plus workshops. The 1832 poll book shows Joseph Bright, Joseph Bright jun and John Bright voting from Temple Street. Daniel Bright voted from Avon Street, Temple parish. All are described as potters. Joseph Bright paid rates on a property in Avon Street from 1820. 1835 shows only Joseph jun, John and Daniel voting. In 1837 Joseph, Daniel, John and William voted. William was in Temple Street. In 1840 James, Daniel, John and Arthur Bright voted from Temple Street (a John Thomas Bright voted in Regent Street, Bedminster). In 1847 Joseph Bright voted from 131 Temple Street. In 1852 John Bright junior voted from Great Gardens (probably Avon Street) and Daniel Bright voted from Temple Street (John Thomas Bright voted from Henry Street, St Philip's). There is a large stoneware goblet in Bristol Museum, which has the impressed mark "J Bright. J. Hazzard", and is dated c1818. It is illustrated in Godden's "Illustrated Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain", at plate 78. |
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Tower Harratz Tower Harratz was part of the medieval defences, to the east of the junction of Temple Backs and Pipe Lane. The pottery was to the south of the tower. The east part of Temple Backs and the whole of Pipe Lane have now gone, and the area is now covered by the development of the Bristol and West building. Richard Champneys built a pottery there in 1695 (he gained a lease on 28th September 1695), although it had closed by 1698. Recent archaeology has shown that this pottery made stoneware. Shards recovered are 'gorges', which are globular single-handled drinking vessels, the handle having a rat-tail. Similar items were also made at Fulham. The Bristol shards have an under-fired white-buff fabric, with a color wash around the rim. They show little sign of successful salt-glazing. Remains of round saggars were also found, again they are similar to those of Fulham. Do the Fulham similarities indicate migration of a London workman? It is interesting to note that Dwight's patent did not expire until 1698, so Champneys was in breach of the patent! What happened to the workmen after the factory closed, did they take their skills elsewhere, possibly to either Mary Orchard or Temple Backs? |
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Wilder Street The pottery was located behind the Full Moon inn, in Wilder Street. This was in St. James' parish (now St. Paul's). It may have been established in 1755 by William Matchin. In 1775 Matchin's address was given as 15 and 18 Wilder Street, later the address was given as number 9 (the road still exists). The son, also called William, had taken over by 1787. It remained with the Matchin family until closure in 1837. On 12th December 1789 the following appeared in Felix Farley's Bristol Joiurnal: "WILLIAM MATCHEN, Jun, respectfully informs his friends and the public that he continues his GLAZED PAN and GARDEN POT, manufactory, Wholesale and retail, as usual in Wilder Street, St Paul's, Bristol. A report having been propagated that he had declined business, Wm Matchen, in solace to himself, offers this to the public, to inform them, such report in entirely groundless, and humbly solicits their further favors, which will ever be gratefully acknowledged. N. B. Country shopkeepers supply'd on the shortest notice. In 1819 the business was described as "wholesale stone, red and glazed ware, chimney and garden pot manufacturers". |