Bristol Potters and Potteries

Research by Reg Jackson

Bristol Potters - C

Research by Reg Jackson

CHADWICK Thomas

1841 3 May. Noted as a potter (but not necessarily a Bristol one) when his son William of Long Ashton married Ann Tucker (MLPPR).

 

CHALKER George

Born c1842 in Bristol (61C).

1861 5 Rose Street, Temple parish (19), living with his father James Chalker, shoemaker (61C).

CHALKER Harriet

Born c1821 in Bristol (41C).

1841 ‘Pottery’, Crown Court, Temple parish (20) (41C).

CHALKER Henry I

1837 Quakers Friars, St Paul’s parish (P).

CHALKER Henry II

1860 2 Feb. A boy, who had for some time been employed in the Bristol Pottery, was charged with having stolen a furnace bar from the pottery.  He was sentenced to six months’ hard labour (Western Daily Press).

CHALKER Robert

1821 26 Aug. Noted as a potter of Water Street on the baptism of his son John.  Wife Sarah (PaPR).

CHAMPION George

Born c1897 in Bedminster (11C).

1911 General labourer, pottery manufacturer, 9 Old Charlotte Street, Bedminster (24) (11C).

CHAMPION Richard

See the Potteries List section for the Castle Green Pottery.

Champion started taking apprentice potters in January 1772 and was clearly involved in running the Pottery by that date. He certainly took over the Pottery from William Cookworthy and was operating the Pottery alone from 1773.

c1772-81 Richard Champion ran the Castle Green Pottery.

Champion was forced to sell the patent for the manufacture of porcelain to a group of Staffordshire potters and the Castle Green Pottery closed and was taken over by a clay tobacco pipe maker, Israel Carey.  The manufacture of porcelain was transferred to the New Hall Pottery in Shelton, Staffordshire.

 

1764 17 Nov. A merchant of Winterbourne, Gloucestershire, he was granted a licence to marry Judith Lloyd of Winterbourne at Winterbourne (M).
1765 20 Apr. He became a free merchant as he was the son of Joseph Champion (F).
1765 24 Apr. A still born child of Richard Champion of James Square was buried at Redcliff Pit (QR).
1766 27 Feb. A Richard Champion of Bristol, merchant took out a policy for £1,100, including £600 on his dwelling house, with the Sun Assurance Company (Adams 1976, 21).
1767 9 Apr. He took out a policy for £1,600, including £700 on his house in Old Market, with the Sun Assurance Company (Adams 1976, 25).
1769 17 Apr. A letter was written to Richard Champion by the Society of Friends (of which he was a member) admonishing him for deviating from the paths of virtue and peace, and indulging in the ‘Pleasures of Sensuality’ (BRO SF/A7/1).
1772-73 China Manufacturer, Old Market (Ao).
1772 26 Aug. He insured his house, coachhouse and stable at Henbury, Gloucestershire, for £700 with the Sun Assurance Company (Adams 1976, 36).
1773 7 Jan. An advertisement for Bristol China, produced at the manufactory in Castle Green, included a request for ‘two or three careful boys and a good Enamel Painter’ (BG).
1773 William Cookworthy sold his interest in the factory and patent to Richard Champion who, using money advanced by Dr Joseph Fry, his sister Sarah Champion, Joseph Harford, James Brice and the potter Thomas Frank II, formed the new company of ‘Richard Champion & Co.’ (Selleck 1978, 75).
1773 28 Apr. He insured his household goods for £300, wearing apparel for £250 and printed books for £200, all contained in his house at Henbury (Adams 1976, 37).
1773 2 Sep. ‘China. At the manufactory in Castle Green, Bristol, are sold various kinds of the True Porcelain, both useful and ornamental, equal to the East India and China and will wear as well.  The prices are low to induce the public to encourage a Manufactory, the first of the Kind introduced to England Compleat Tea Sets in the Dresden Taste, highly ornamented, £7.7s to £12.12s or upwards; Tea Sets, 43 pieces of Various prices as low as £2.2s Cups and Saucers from 3s.6d to 5s.6d per Half Dozen, and all sorts of useful ware proportionately cheap. Indian patterns, and all other sorts of useful ware of which there is now a great variety proportionally cheap.  The ornamental ware is very beautiful and the prices low’ (BG).
1774 Merchant, Castle Precincts (P).
1775 18 Mar & 25 Mar. ‘Painting, Wanted several ‘Prentices at the China-Manufactory in Castle Green, Boys of Genius will meet with Encouragement.  Wanted also, in the warehouse, a Woman who understands the sorting of China’ (FFJ).
1775 6 Apr. ‘Patent China at the Manufactory, in Castle-Green, Bristol, where Merchants and Shopkeepers may be supplied with a Variety of Patterns, either in the Indian or European Taste. N.B. Gentlemen and Ladies may be supplied retail at Mr Elliot’s China-Shop, in Corn-Street; or at Mr Godwin’s China-Shop in Castle-green. Wanted – Several Boys, as Apprentices, in the Painting  Branch.  Lads of Genius will meet with Encouragement and have an Opportunity of being instructed by a skilful Painter’ (BG).
1775 Apr. Richard Champion subscribed £1.1s to the Bristol Society for the relief of persons in debt (BG).
1775 8 Apr. China manufacturer, Philadelphia Street (Ao).
1775 ‘Champion, Richard, china manufactory, 15 and his house 17 Castle Green (SD).
1775 12 Aug. Champion wrote to the Marquis of Rockingham: ‘I have been making new Kilns, and several other Alterations. My good friend Wedgewood however declares, that he will produce China next Year … but I have not lost any workmen, though he did clandestinely get into my works …’ (Selleck 1978, 78).
1775 14 Sep. ‘Wanted a woman who has been used to sorting china being to serve in Ware Room.  Or a very steady Boy will answer the Purpose. No one need apply except they can bring a good character – Enquire at the House in Castle Green’ (BG).
1775 15 Sep. Champion’s Patent for the manufacture of porcelain was enrolled (Patent No. 1096).
1775-7 Merchant, Castle Green (Ao).
1775 9 Dec. ‘Patent China. At the Manufactory in Castle Green, Bristol, where merchants and shopkeepers may be supplied, with a variety of pattern either in the Indian or European Taste.  Wanted several Boys as Apprentices in the Painting Branch.  Lads of Genius will be met with every encouragement and have the opportunity of being instructed by a skilful painter’ (FFJ).
1776 29 Feb. Established by Act of Parliament 1774. The Bristol China Manufactory in Castle Green where useful and ornamental China is sold, wholesale on the most reasonable terms. This China is greatly superior to every other English Manufactory.  Its texture is fine exceeding the East India and its strength is so great that water may be boiled in it.  It is a true Porcelain composed of a native clay and is thus distinguished from every other English China, which being composed of a number of Ingredients mixed together (the principal part Glass) occasions it soon to get dirty in the wear and renders it continually liable to Accidents and is in every Respect only an Imitation and therefore stiled by chymists a false Porcelain’ (BG).
1776 18 Apr. ‘The Information of John Antrobus clogmaker living in the Back Lane, St Philips.  The Informt on his oath saith that Two or Three Days before last St Thomas Day the Man now in Custody (giving his name Joseph Townshend) brought the Box now produced to this Informants House and requested to leave it over till he called for it, and carried it up into the Garrett of this Informants sd house. That last Friday this Informant open’d the said Box and found that it contained China, and the same day said Townshend came for the said Box pretending that he was going to send it to Chepstow and gave Orders to a Man in Company to carry it to Some House on Bristol-Back in order to be sent to Chepstow and thereupon the said Box of China was carried from this Informants House by the said men, the said Townshend being in Company’.  ‘The Information of John Britton Servt. to Mr Richard Champion. The Informt on his Oath saith that the Box now produced contained the following Pieces of Earthen-Ware called China. Vizt. Twelve cups and 12 saucers value £0.10.0, Twelve cups value 3s. Seven Basons value £0.10.0, one Coffee-Pott value 8s Three Tea Pots value 8s & sundry other pieces of China Ware And this Informt saith that having examin’d and considered the same he verily believes that the same are the property of the said Richard Champion and that the same were taken from him by the said Joseph Townshend, he the said Joseph Townshend having work’d for the said Richard Champion as a Warehouse Man at his China Manufactory in Castle Green within this City & County’ (Q).
1776 26 Sep. ‘Left his service, at the China Manufactory in Bristol, Thomas Briand, a China Repairer, an Indentured Servant.  He is about five feet six inches high, and fair complexion – whoever employs him will be prosecuted according to law; and if any Person will give Notice to the said Manufactory where he is to be found, shall receive a handsome reward’(BG).
1777 3 Nov. One of Cookworthy’s partners, Richard Summers, wrote to the Mens Meeting of Friends in Bristol, with a complaint against Champion’s conduct: ‘Dear Friends; George Bush, dec., Abraham Clibborn and myself purchased each separately a share in the China Ware Manfy. as by receipts from time to time will appear And having applied to Richard Champion, the Chief Manager and desired the accounts may be settled he gives us to understand that he does not consider us as partners, having obtained in his own Name from Parliament a Prologation of a Patent granted to Willm. Cookworthy and having purchased Mr Cookworthy’s right, looks on the whole as his own property, subject to account with no man.  This being the case, I do apply to this meeting on behalf of Elizabeth Bush, Executrix of George Bush, Abraham Clibborn and myself, according to the general Rule established among us and desire the meeting will please to interfere in order to obtain justice for us liberty to proceed as the law directs’ (BRO SF/A7/1).
1778 8 Jan. ‘Thomas Edward died 8.1.1778, aged 14 years, of Castle Green, a Negro servant to Richard Champion, merchant, bur: 11.1.1778 at Fryars, not a member’ (QR).
1778 24 Aug. An entry in the minutes of the Mens Meeting states: ‘William Cowles brought here a testimony of last Meeting against Richard Champion as he was not free to deliver it as dated, said Richard being in a Situation before the date of that Testimony which disqualified him for referring the affair, and he hath since as we are informed Assigned his property to Trustees for the benefit of his Creditors …’ (Selleck 1978, 76-7).
1778 24 Dec. He resigned as Treasurer of the Bristol Royal Infirmary, an office which he had held since 6 Dec 1768, having succeeded his father and grand-father.  His letter of resignation still survives.
1779 28 Jan. ‘Genuine China. Established by Act of Parliament. Now on Sale, Wholesale and Retail, at the China Manufactory in Castle-Green, all sorts of Useful and ornamental Ware, enamell’d, and blue and white of the latter Tea Cups and Saucers, from 2s 6d to 4s 6d per Set, and of beautiful Nankeen Patterns – This China not being sufficiently known, it will not be improper to remark, that the Reason of its having received the Sanction of an Act of Parliament was, its having no one imperfection, which all other English China is subject to, being in every respect, stronger and of so hard a Polish that it is not liable to Scratches, wearing badly, Cracking by hot Water or change of Weather – The public have also another Advantage, that what they buy is directly from the Manufactory, therefore they cannot suffer as they do by Public Sales, which consist of little else than refuse Ware’ (BG).
1779 22 Apr. ‘Bristol equal to Foreign China Continues selling at the Manufactory in Castle-Green, Wholesale and Retail – The Assortment both of Blue and White and Enamel is now compleat’ (BG).
1779 21 Oct. ‘Wednesday died Miss Eliza Champion, eldest daughter of Mr Richard Champion, of Henbury’ (BG).
1780 28 Feb. ‘A Catalogue of a valuable Collection of the Bristol Porcelaine consisting of an Extensive Variety of Elegant Patterns in Desert Services, Tea and Coffee Equipages, Cabinet & Caudle Cups, etc. etc. in the newest and most approved Taste; Likewise an Assortment of Medallions of curious China Flowers, accurately model’d and highly finished; which will be sold by auction by Mess. Christie and Ansell, At their Great Room, next Cumberland House, Pall mall, on Monday, February 28, 1780 … (Nightingale 1881, 101).
1780 Nov. Josiah Wedgewood wrote to Bentley that: ‘Amongst other things Mr Champion of Bristol has taken me up near two days.  He is come amongst us to dispose of his secret – His patent, etc., and, who could have believed it – has chosen me for his friend and confidante!  I shall not deceive him for I really feel much for his situation.  A wife and eight children (to say nothing of himself) to provide for and out of what I fear will not be thought of much value here – The secret of China making.  He tells me he has sunk fifteen thousand pounds in this gulf, and his idea is now to sell the whole art, mystery and patent for six …’ (Selleck 1978, 80).
1781 A group of Staffordshire potters purchased the patent and the services of Champion and started the New Hall Pottery at Shelton in 1782 (Selleck 1978, 82).
1782 Mar. He was made Deputy Paymaster to the Forces (Selleck 1978, 82).
1782 27 Apr. ‘To be sold by hand on Monday, 29th April inst, at the Manufactory in Castle Green, the remaining stock of Enamel, Blue and White and white bone china.  The manufacturers being removed to the North …’ (FFJ).
1782 31 Aug. ‘Israel Carey, Tobacco-Pipe Maker … is Removed from Lewin’s Mead, to the late China Manufactory in Castle-Green … The remaining Part of the Stock of Bristol China to be disposed of’ (BMBJ).
1783 11 Jan. ‘China for Halfpence. Israel Cary, Tobacco-Pipe-Maker, at the late China Manufactory in Castle Green, begs leave to inform the Public, that he has a large Quantity of the Bristol China to dispose of …’ (BG).
1786 ‘House, Yard, warehouse, and stables, etc., late in the Poss.of Rd. Champion China-manufacturer and now of Israel Cary, pipemaker’ (BRO 04243(2)).
1791 24 Dec. ‘On the 7th of October died near Camden, South Carolina, Richard Champion, Esq.; late Deputy Paymaster General of his Majesty’s Forces, and proprietor of the China manufactory, formerly carried on in this city’ (BMBJ).
Apprentice:
With his wife Judith:
Henry Bone, 23 Jan 1772 (A, Ao) – 9 Feb 1781 (F, G)
William Stephens, 23 Jan 1772 (A) – 17 Feb 1781 (F, G)
John Hayden, 23 Jan 1772 (A, Ao) – 22 Feb 1781 (F, G)
Samuel Daw, 23 Jan 1772 (A, Ao)
John Mates Young, 23 Jan 1772 (Ao)
Samuel Andrews Lloyd, 31 Dec 1772 (A, Ao)
James Alsop II, 19 Jan 1773 (A, Ao)
John Garland, 19 Jan 1773 (A, Ao)
James Banford, 19 Jan 1773 (A, Ao) – 9 Feb 1781 (F, G)
William Wright I, 8 Mar or 8 Apr 1775 (A, Ao)
John Parrot, 22 Nov 1775 (A, Ao)
Benjamin Lewis, 5 Dec 1775 (A, Ao)
Samuel Beynon, 29 Jan 1776 (A, Ao)
Thomas Williams I, 19 Sep 1776 (A, Ao)
John Jones, 19 Sep 1776 (A)
Samuel Fiander Peglar, 24 Oct 1776 (A, Ao)
John Webb, 28 Jul 1777 (A, Ao)
William Webb, 26 Jul 1777 (A, Ao)
James Saunders II, 27 or 28 Jul 1777 (A, Ao)
Rate book entries:
Property 1:
Castle Green Pottery
29 Sep 1772-29 Sep 1780 China Warehouse & Co/China Manufactory Castle Green (Castle Precincts-Wa)
[21 Dec 1773-24 Dec 1775 R. Champion & Co. China warehouse Castle Green (Castle Precincts-LS)
25 Mar 1776-25 Mar 1780 Richard Champion & Co. Castle Green (Castle Precincts-W)
1773-1780 Richard Champion & Co. Castle Green (Castle Precincts-PR)
(These Poor Rate entries are taken from Owen, as they are not among the records held by the Bristol Record Office).Property 2:
25 Mar 1776-25 Mar 1779] Richard Champion Castle Green (Castle Precincts-W)

 

CHAMPNEYS Richard

See the Potteries List section for the Tower Harratz Pottery.

Champneys was a merchant who built a Pottery next to Tower Harratz (part of the medieval defences of Bristol) in Temple parish by 1695.  It was the earliest recorded pottery in Bristol to have manufactured stoneware. By 1698, the Pottery was noted as ‘void’, and it must have been in operation for only a very short period. It is not known which master potter was working there.

c1695-98 Richard Champneys was involved in the Tower Harratz Pottery.

The Pottery does not seem to have worked after 1698.

For a report on stoneware waste from this Pottery, see Jackson, R. 2003. Late 17th-century stoneware waste from the Tower Harratz Pottery, Bristol. Journal of the Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology 37/2, 217-220.

 

1694 17 Dec. ‘Then agreed with Mr Richard Champnies That there shalle at next Generall Sealing granted him a Lease of all those ruinous and decayed Storehouses housings and buildings near and adjoining to Tower Harris in the parish of Temple between Templeback and Templemeades and reaching from the round Tower which Tower is not to be granted there downe to the River with the materials thereon and all appurtenances thereto belonging …’ (BB).
1695 28 Sep. A lease between Mayor, Burgesses and Commonalty of Bristol and Richard Champneys of Bristol, merchant, ‘in consideration of the great costs and charges which the said Richard Champneys hath been at in erecting building and repairing the Storehouse or Warehouse and Workhouse hereinafter intended to be demised or granted … And by these present doe demise granted & to farm lett and sett to the said Richard Champneys All that great Warehouse, storehouse adjoining and next to the great round Tower called Tower Harris [Tower Harratz] … and the Lofts and Buildings over the same warehouse or storehouse.  And also the workehouse by the said Richard Champneys lately built intended for Pottmaking to the same great warehouse or storehouse adjoining’.  The lease was held on the lives of Richard Champneys and John William Champneys of Orchardley [Orchardleigh], Somerset (BRO ETD 00020).
1689 Richard Champneys, St Werburgh parish (BRO Rate 1 William & Mary c.3).
1696 Richard Champneys, widower, St Werburgh parish (Ralph & Williams 1968, 222).
1698 1st and 2nd quarters. ‘Richard Champnyes for the Potthouse voide’ Temple parish (BRO Rate 9 Will III c.10).
1699 29 Jul. Richard Champneys ‘for and in consideration of the sume of ninety pounds to him in hand by John Day the eldr. merchant Robert Bound shipp-wright and James Holledge mchant all of the City of Bristoll … doth grant … unto them the said John Day Robert Bound & James Holledge All and singular the said great warehouse or storehouse, the said lofts and buildings over the Same warehouse …’ (BRO 00017).
1700 9 Feb. Probably the Richard Champneys who married Mary Morris at St Michael’s church (Ancestry website).
1701 9 Dec. Probably the Richard Champneys whose daughter Mary was baptised at St Michael’s church (Ancestry website).

 

CHAPMAN Henry

The son of Thomas Chapman of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, cordwainer (A).

1707 18 Jan. He was apprenticed to Henry Hobbs and co-partner (A).
1707 27 Oct. Probably the ‘Henry Chipman Pottmaker’ buried (RB).

CHAPPLE Frederick

Born c1800 in Temple parish (51C).

1815 11 Oct. He was apprenticed to J.D. Pountney (Ao).
1826-29 Temple parish (TPR).
1830 Water Lane, Temple parish (P).
1832 & 34 Water Lane, Temple parish (List of Electors BRO 04736).
1832-39 Temple parish (TPR).
1832 Water Lane, Temple parish (P).
1835 Water Lane, Temple parish (P).
1837 Temple Back, Temple parish (P).
1837 18 Mar. Mr Chapple of the Bristol Pottery, charged police sargeant no.11 with assaulting him.  The charge was dismissed (Bristol Mercury).
1841 Accountant, Somerset Street, Bedminster (40), living with his wife Ann (39) and children (41C).
1851 Potter’s accountant, 22 Hillsbridge Parade, Bedminster (51), living with his wife Ann (50), born in Devonport, Devon, and children (51C).
1853 29 Oct. ‘A hard case. The notice of the benevolent public is earnestly called to the case of Frederick Chapple, of 22 Hillsbridge Parade, for many years engaged as a manager in Messrs Pountney’s Pottery, and for the last seven years employed in the Bristol Post Office, who with his wife and family has been plunged into deep distress under the following circumstances:- About a year and a half ago F. Chapple became surety for the repayment of a loan made by the Scottish Society to one of his brother officers, and he having failed in his payments, the Society has called upon the sureties to make good the amount (£100), and F. Chapple’s goods have been, in consequence, siezed and sold under a distress warrant.  Contributions of the benevolent who may feel disposed to assist in mitigating this case of misfortune will be received at the office of the Bristol Mercury’ (Bristol Mercury).
1861 18 Feb. Noted as an accountant when his daughter Isabella Matilda (28) of Wellington Street married Edward Cross, mariner, the son of Samuel Cross, potter (JBPR).
1861 Accountant, 25 Layton Street, Bedminster (59), living with his wife Ann (58) and children (61C).
Children:
George James, bapt 9 Jul 1826 (TPR), Louisa Ann, bapt 29 Apr 1827 (TPR), Frederick Alexander, bapt 21 Jun 1829 (TPR), Isabella Matilda, bapt 25 Nov 1832 (TPR), Henry Edwin, bapt 7 Jun 1835 (TPR), James Painter, bapt 28 Aug 1836 (TPR), Sarah Ann, bapt 20 Mar 1839 (TPR), Alfred, born c1843 in Temple parish (51C)

 

CHAPPLE George

Born c1802 (Ao).

1816 20 Jul. He was apprenticed to J.D. Pountney ‘to be educated a turner’ (Ao).
1829 20 Dec. Temple parish (TPR).
1830 Water Lane, Temple parish (P).
1832 & 34 Water Lane, Temple parish (List of Electors BRO 04736).
1832 Water Lane, Temple parish (P).
1834 Rope Walk (JBPR).
1835 Water Lane, Temple parish (P).
1837 Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1841 Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1841 Possibly the George Chappel (35), publican, living in Temple Street with his wife Margaret (35), and children Sarah (12), Joseph (8), Matilda (6) and Mary (8 mths) (41C).
1842 St Paul’s (JaPR).
1847 7 Jun. Noted as a Bristol potter deceased when his son Joseph was apprenticed to George Adlam, a brassfounder (A).
1857 29 Aug. Noted as a potter when his daughter Matilda (22) of Bedminster married Frederick Tucker (JBPR).
1860 10 Dec. Noted as a potter when his daughter Rosetta (22) of Frogmore Street married Amos Withers (APR).
Children:
Wife Sarah
Sarah, bapt 20 Dec 1829 (TPR), Joseph, born c1832, apprenticed 7 Jun 1847 (A), George, bapt 17 Jun 1834 (JBPR), Matilda, born c1837, married 29 Aug 1857 (JBPR), Rosetta, born c1838, married 10 Dec 1860 (APR), Emma Jane, bapt 1 May 1842 (JaPR)

 

CHAPPLE Thomas

1829 21 Jun. Noted as a potter of Temple parish when his son Charles Oliver was baptised. Wife Mary (TPR).

CHARD George

Born c1833 in Bristol (71C).

1871 Labourer at pottery, 6 Anvil Street, St Philip’s parish (38), living with his wife Jemima (43), born in Woolavington, Somerset (71C).

CHARLES Matilda

Born c1841 in Bristol (61C).

1861 1 Rose Street, Temple parish (20), living with her mother Elizabeth Charles, staymaker (61C).

CHARTLEY William

Born c1814 in Bitton, Somerset (51C).

1851 Temple Backs, Temple parish (37), widower, living with his parents William (72) a pauper and Sarah (63) (51C).

CHASE George

He received the following wages at the Bedminster Pottery:

1789 27 Jun 6 shillings; 4 Jul 6 shillings; 11 Jul 5 shillings (Bedminster Pottery Day Book).

CHASEY David

1811 21 Jan. He was apprenticed to John and Hester Bright (A, Ao).
1832 Princes Street, Pile Street, Bedminster (P).
1832 & 34 Princes Street, Bedminster (List of Electors BRO 04736).
1835 Princes Street, Bedminster (P).
1837 Shown as a labourer, Princes Street, Bedminster (P).
1841 Floor cloth worker, Princes Street, Bedminster (45), living with his wife Hannah (42) and children Elizabeth (12), Caroline (10), Sarah (8), David (6) and Henry (4), all born in Bristol (41C).

CHATTERLEY William

Born c1820 in Staffordshire (71C).

1871 Lodging at 16 Victoria Terrace, St Philip’s parish (51) (71C).

CHATTERLY Theophilus

1775 29 Jul and 3 Aug. Notices of an auction to take place including: ‘A mess. or ten. in Small Str. formerly called or known by the name of the Little Ship, with a large cellar thereto belonging, late in the possession of Theophilus Chatterly, Potter, at £20 p.a. (but now void)’ (BB).