Westbury-on-Trymn and the Yabbicom Family

The earliest reference to a potter in Westbury-on-Trym is Ralph Eaton I, in January 1690, when he required a licence to marry.  Other potters are mentioned in the first half of the 18th century, particularly members of the Yeamans family. On 26th September 1772 in Felix Farley's Bristol Journal three shares in the Sea Mills dock, plus other property was for sale.  This was in possession of Daniel Saunders, potter, a bankrupt, of Coate in the parish of Westbury on Trym. In 1773 George Hart advertised that he was making sugar pots and moulds, plus useful and ornamental chimney pots.  He may have taken over the pottery from Daniel Saunders, a bankrupt merchant, potter and dealer.  In 1774 Stephen Fricker had taken over "The Sugar house Pottery", but he was forced to sell in 1780, due to financial difficulties caused by the American War. By 1788 Roger Yabbicom was occupying a pottery, it may have been Fricker's.  In 1795 Roger Yabbicom and Son were producing sugar, chimney and garden pots.  By 1797 the business had moved to St Philip's parish.  Trade directories from 1797 refer to the "Sugar, Chimney & Garden pot manufactory, Avon Street, St Philips".  The St Philip's address continued until 1842 (see the Sugar Mould Pottery).  There was a second pottery in Temple Backs (or Pipe Lane) from 1805 to 1862, R Yabbicom & Son commenced paying rates in 1805.  In 1807 Henry Yabbicom insured his workshops for £600 and his house in Westbury-on-Trymn for £300.  The manufacture of garden pots, etc. continued until 1853, but from 1837 pantile and fire-bricks are added to the list.  In a separate entry 1813 sees the business decribed as "manufacturers of crucibles and best in stoneware", 1814 as "manufacturers of stone ware", and from 1827 "manufacturers of stone ware and improved water pipes".  Stoneware continued to be mentioned until 1862.  It is probable that the stoneware was made at Temple Backs and the redware at Avon Street.  There are recorded stoneware spirit bottles that are known to have been marked. After 1809 the potteries were run by Roger's son Henry, and from 1813 with a Thomas Yabbicom.  Henry was suceeded by his son, also called Henry, directory listings from 1842 referring to H & E Yabbicom.  A rate book entry for 1833 suggests that the Avon Street premises consisted of two separate potteries (each rated at 20 pounds). In 1843 the pottery, which included a dwelling house, was insured for 1300 pounds.  In 1864 a Henry Yabbicom, described as a gentleman of King Square, insured a lodging house in St. Philips. The poll books show the following:  Edward Yabbicom voted from Cheese Lane (a continuation of Avon Street) in 1832 and 1835;  and Henry Yabbicombe jnr voted from Cheese Lane in 1837 and 1840.  Both were described as potters. The following advertisement appeared in the Bristol Mirror on 16th October 1841: "H Yabbicom, manufacturers of brown stoneware, firebricks, pantiles, flooring squares, chimney pots, &c.  Avon Street, St Philip's and Commercial Road, Temple Backs, Bristol.  Returns his most grateful thanks to his friends and those of his late brother, for the very liberal support they experienced for a series of years; and begs to inform them and the public that the business will be continued as before at the above named places, where any favours will be gratefully received with every attention.  H Y begs to say his brown stoneware is made on a new and improved principle, glazed inside and out, will not absorb, and will resist the action of the strongest acids or alkalis, and quite may be made perfectly clean.  His manufacturer of firebricks and burrs of all sizes and patterns, he can confidently recommend as superior to the best Stourbridge"  The glaze referred to is Powell's improved.