Bristol Potters and Potteries

Research by Reg Jackson

Bristol Potters - C

Research by Reg Jackson

COLE Francis I

Born c1812 in Temple parish (61C).

1836 4 Dec. Temple parish (PPR).
1838 25 Feb. Temple parish (PPR).
1838 10 Sep. Redware potter, St Philip’s Marsh (Ao).
1840 18 Oct. Jacob Street, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1841 Church Lane, St Philip’s parish (25), living with his wife Elizabeth (20) born in Bristol and children (41C).
1842 13 Nov. Jacob Street, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1849 2 Dec. Church Lane, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1851 13 Church Lane, St Philip’s parish (39) living with his wife Elizabeth (34), a schoolmistress, and children (51C).
1856 24 Aug. Jacob Street, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1861 7 Newmans Yard, St Philip’s parish (49) living with his wife Elizabeth (44) and children and his mother-in-law Eleanor Howell, widow, of Prior Stanton [Stanton Prior], Somerset (61C).
1867 22 Jun. ‘Died, June 9, at Water Lane, Temple Street, aged 55, Mr Francis Hall Cole, upwards of 40 years, in the employ of Messrs Pountney, Bristol Pottery’ (Bristol Mercury).
1874 29 Mar. Noted as a potter when his daughter Hannah (24) of 4 Jacob Street, married William Hinder (PPR).
Children:
Thomas William (aged 3 wks), bapt 4 Dec 1836 (PPR), Francis Henry (aged 2 mths), bapt 25 Feb 1838 (PPR), Ellen Tudor (aged 3 wks), bapt 18 Oct 1840 (PPR), George (aged 3 wks), bapt 13 Nov 1842 (PPR), William, born c1846 in Bristol (51C), Hannah Maria (aged 3 wks), bapt 2 Dec 1849 (PPR), Elizabeth Martha Howell, born 31 Jul 1856, bapt 24 Aug 1856 (PPR)

 

COLE Francis II

Born c1779 in Gloucestershire, probably the father of Henry Cole (TPR, 41C).

1803 25 Dec. Probably the Francis Cole who married Mary Hall at St James’s church (information from Fiona Turnbull).
1818 19 Apr. Possibly the Francis and Mary Cole who had a son Henry (born 11 Feb 1815) was baptised (TPR; information from Fiona Turnbull).
1818 19 Apr. Probably the Francis and Mary Cole who had a daughter Hannah (born 14 Oct 1817) baptised (TPR; information from Fiona Turnbull).
1841 Harris Yard, Temple parish (62?), living with his children Hannah (22) and William (21) (41C).
1843 4 May. Possibly the Francis Cole buried at Temple church (information Fiona Turnbull).
1844 10 Mar. Noted as a potter when his son William Cole (24) a coach spring maker of Horse Fair married Ann Fletcher (JaPR).

 

COLE George I

Born c1834 in Bristol (51C).

1851 Labourer pottery, lodging at 3 Harris Yard, Temple parish (17) (51C).

COLE George II

Born c1856 in Bristol, the son of Charles and Charlotte Cole and the brother of Alfred Cole (71C).

1871 Labourer at pottery, 6 Church Street, Temple parish (16) (but 5 in 1861), living with his parents and family (71C).

COLE George III

Born c1858 in Bristol (71C).

1871 Labourer in pottery, 11 Church Street, Temple parish (13), living with John and Mary Ann Cole, labourer in timber yard (71C).

COLE Henry

Born c1815 in Temple parish, probably the son of Francis Cole II (TPR, 61C).

1815 11 Feb. Possibly the Henry Cole born in Bristol (bapt 19 Apr 1818), the son of Francis and Mary Cole (TPR; Ancestry website).  Or possibly the Henry Cole, son of Francis Cole, labourer, and Mary who was baptised on 21 May 1815 at Langton Street Wesleyan Chapel (information from Fiona Turnbull).
1841 Printer [probably earthenware printer], Holy Brook Place, Bedminster (25), living with his wife Mary Ann (20) and daughter Mary Ann (3) (41C).
1851 Earthenware printer, Hollybrook Place, Bedminster (36), living with his wife Mary Ann (34), laundress, born in Bedminster, and daughter Mary Ann (13), born in Bedminster (51C).
1861 Printer at pottery, Windmill Hill, Bedminster (46), living with his wife Mary Ann (44) born in Bedminster (61C). [This entry has been crossed out in the census return].
1871 Printer on earthenware, Albert Place, St Philip’s parish (56), living with his wife Mary Ann (54) (71C).
1881 52 Essex Street, Bedminster (66), born in Temple parish, living with his wife Mary (65), born in Bedminster (81C).
1881 26 Apr. ‘Tram Accident. The Deputy Coroner held an inquest at the Clarence Inn, Dean Lane, Bedminster, yesterday afternoon, as to the death of Henry Cole, aged 66, a potter, who lived at 52 Essex Street, Bedminster. A witness named Fisher, living at Broadmead, and a conductor in the employ of the Tramways Company, named Charles Hayward, gave evidence showing that on Saturday, the 2nd April, the deceased was a passenger by a car leaving Redcliff Street for Bedminster.  Just before it started he was seen to be sitting on one of the side rails, and on its moving he fell back into the street.  He was taken to the General Hospital by a police constable, but not being detained at the Institution, he was afterwards conveyed home, and lingered until Friday last, when he died.  Mr W.F. Carter, surgeon, who was called in to see the deceased, was of the opinion that he died as the result of internal injuries caused by the fall.  The jury returned a verdict to that effect.  In consequence of suggestions made by Dr Carter and members of the jury, the Deputy Coroner promised to make the following recommendations to the Tramways Company: – 1. That the rail skirting the tops of those cars having seats outside should be made higher; 2. That the cars should not stop in the middle of Bedminster Bridge; 3. That cars should not start without sufficient notice being given; and 4. That the conductor of a car should be requested to see that passengers were seated before the signal for starting was given’ (Western Daily Press).

COLE James

Born c1859 in Temple parish, the son of Charles Cole and the brother and Alfred and George Cole II (81C, 91C).

1881 Labourer, 6 Church Street, Temple parish (21), he was living with his parents and siblings (81C).
1884 13 Aug. Redcliff Backs, St Mary Redcliffe parish (25) the son of Charles Cole a printer he married Rebecca Parker (28) of 17 Guinea Street (RPR).
1891 Labourer in pottery, 28 Wellington Street, St Mary Redcliffe parish (32), living with his wife Rebecca (36), born in St Mary Redcliffe parish, and children Ernest (8), born in Bedminster, Bertie (3) and Elsie (2 mths), both born in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C).
1901 Potter’s labourer, 3 Somerset Street, St Mary Redcliffe parish (42), living with his wife Rebecca (45) and children including Harry (8) and Lily (5), both born in Bristol (01C).
1911 Out of work, general labourer, 11 Somerset Street, St Mary Redcliffe parish, living with his wife and children (11C).

COLE John I

See the Potteries List section for the St Philip’s Pottery 6.

1815-16 The St Philip’s Pottery 6 was operated by ‘Cole & Spokes’.

John Cole I was probably in partnership with John Spokes I, until Spokes established his own Pottery in 1816.

1817-21 John Cole I ran the St Philip’s Pottery 6, possibly in partnership with someone called ‘Campbell’, as a partnership between them was dissolved in 1821.
1825 John Cole I was in partnership with someone called ‘Pearce’ at the St Philip’s Pottery 6. (His partner was probably Colston Pearce).
1832-35 John Cole I ran the St Philip’s Pottery 6 alone.

He may have died in 1835, as by 1836 the Pottery was being run by his wife Frances Cole.

 

The husband of Frances Cole and the father of John Cole III and Thomas Homans Cole (A, Ao, PPR).

1798 29 Oct. Possibly the John Cole who married a Frances Inks in St Martin in the Fields church, Westminster, London. If so, then this might have been the John Cole born on 9 Jun 1776 in St Clement Danes church, London. Frances had been born in the Lying in Hospital in Holborn, London, on 22 Aug 1776, the daughter of Edward and Sarah Inks (information from Bruce Bennett).
1807 11 Nov. Great Gardens (Ao).
1815 25 Jul. Stone potter, Cheese Lane, St Philip’s parish (Ao).
1815-16 Cole & Spokes, brown stone potters, Avon Street, St Philip’s (MD, ED).
1816 13 Jan. The partnership of John Hilhouse Wilcox, Thomas Homans Cook and John Cole (t/a Wilcox, Cook and Company), stone ware potters and manufacturers of tobacco pipes carried on in Cheese Lane was dissolved on 29 December 1815 (FFJ).
1820 Brown stone potter, Great George Street, St Philip’s parish (MD).
1821 25 Feb. George Street, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1821 Cole & Campbell of Bristol, redware potters, partnerships dissolved (FFJ).
1825 Coles & Pearce, brown ware potters, Avon Street (MD).
1825 24 Sep. For auction ‘Lot 5. A small and convenient stone and brown ware pottery, with a yard, two kilns, small dwelling house, and other suitable buildings, now in the occupation of Mr – Coles, as yearly tenant. These premises … have a frontage of 108 feet and are in depth on the northward side, 40 feet and on the southward side 54 feet’ (Bristol Mercury).
1828 22 Jul. St Philip’s parish (Ao).
1830 21 Jan. To be sold by auction: ‘Lot 2. A Small and Convenient Stone and Brown Ware Pottery, with a Yard, two Kilns, small Dwelling house, and other suitable buildings, now in the occupation of Mr John Coles, as yearly tenant … The Lots … are situate near the Bridge over the Feeder, at the bottom of Cheese Lane … and are within a short distance of the New Cattle Market’ (BG).
1832 31 Mar. ‘To be let. A small and convenient pottery, with a yard, house, and other suitable buildings and ground adjoining thereto. The above premises are situated at the bottom of Cheese Lane, St Philip and Jacob … in the occupation of Mr John Cole, as tenant’ (Bristol Mercury).
1832 31 Jul. Stone potter, Redcliff Hill (RPR).
1832-35 J. Cole exported stoneware to Guernsey and Jersey (PB-EXP).
1833 John Cole paid £2.8s.9d duty on his manufacture of stone bottles (from the ‘Fifth Report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the  Management and Collection of the Excise Revenue [on] Stone Bottles and Sweets, London, 1834’).
1841 He had probably died as his wife was living alone at the Pottery (41C).
1842 17 Jan. Noted as a potter when his daughter Frances of Temple parish married Thomas Probert (TPR).
1846 22 Mar. Noted as a potter when his son George a baker of St Philip’s parish married Ann Llewellyn (PPR).
1846 26 Jun. Noted as a potter when his daughter Frances Ann of East Street, Bedminster married Charles Fowler (JBPR).
Apprentices:
With wife Frances
William Elbury, 11 Nov 1807 (A, Ao)
John Cole II, 25 Jul 1815 (A, Ao)
William Bowden, 22 Jul 1828 (A, Ao)
Children:
Emily, born 9 Jul 1806, bapt 31 Jul 1830 (RPR), John II, born c1809 (51C), Thomas Homans (aged 1 mth), bapt 25 Feb 1821 (PPR), Frances, married 17 Jan 1842 (TPR), George, married 22 Mar 1846 (PPR), Frances Ann, married 26 Jun 1846 (JBPR)

COLE John II

Born c1803 in Lambeth (51C).

1828-31 St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1835-42 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1841 Avon Place, Marsh, St Philip’s parish (35) living with his wife Susannah (35) born in Bristol and children (41C).
1851 9 Old Mill Place, St Philip’s parish (48) living with his wife Susan (49) and children Susan (18), Maria (16), Clara (10) and Esther (8) (51C).
1870 18 Apr. Noted as a potter when his daughter Maria of Frogmore Street married James Hamilton Sage (APR).
Children:
John, bapt 13 Jul 1828 (PPR), Thomas Edward, bapt 2 Aug 1829 (PPR), Elizabeth, bapt 13 Feb 1831 (PPR), Maria, bapt 11 Jan 1835 (PPR), Susannah, bapt 3 Feb 1833 (PPR), Frances (aged 1 mth), bapt 3 Dec 1837 (PPR), Clara Ann (aged 1 mth), bapt 10 Nov 1839 (PPR), Caroline, born c1840 (41C), Hester (Esther) Frances (aged 3 wks), bapt 27 Mar 1842 (PPR)

 

COLE John III

Born c1809 in Bristol, the son of John Cole I (A, 51C).

1815 25 Jul. He was apprenticed to his parents John I and Frances Cole (A, Ao).
1830 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (P).
1832 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (P).
1832 & 34 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (List of Electors BRO 04736).
1835 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (P).
1836 3 Apr. Tower Street, Temple parish (RPR).
1837 26 Mar. Temple parish (TPR).
1841 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (P).
1844 21 Jan. Baptist Mills (PPR).
1847 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (P).
1851 8 Henry Row, Barton Place, St Philip’s parish (42), living with his wife Rebecca (36), tailoress, born in Bristol, and children (51C).
1852 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (P).
1861 His wife was a widow (61C).
Children:
James, bapt 2 Apr 1836 (RPR), Rebecca, bapt 26 Mar 1837 (TPR), Emma, born c1840 in Bristol (51C), Eliza, born 24 Dec 1843, bapt 21 Jan 1844 (PPR)

 

COLE John IV

Born c1837 in Bedminster (51C).

1851 Potter’s apprentice, 4 Merchants Court, St Peter’s parish (14) living with his mother Esther (53) a marine store dealer, born in Babcary, Somerset (51C).

COLE John V

Born c1835 (PPR).

1857 19 Jul. Union Road, St Philip’s parish (22), the son of George Cole, ropemaker, he married Mary Ann Scrase of the Dings (PPR).
1860 13 Jun. Union Road, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1863 29 Mar. Bread Street, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
Children:
George, born 19 Jan 1858, bapt 13 Jun 1860 (PPR), Hester, born 20 Apr 1860, bapt 13 Jun 1860 (PPR), Rose, born 6 Mar 1863, bapt 29 Mar 1863 (PPR)

COLE John VI

Born c1856 in St Philip’s parish (71C).

1871 Labourer in pottery, 6 Victoria Road, St Philip’s parish (15), the son of Abraham, a stoker at gas works (71C).

COLE Joseph I

The son of Joseph Cole of Clifton, Gloucestershire, gardener (A).

1768 1 Oct. He was apprenticed to William I and Mary Maynard, with £10 the gift of Edward Colston deceased (A, Ao).

COLE Joseph II

Born c1834 in Pile Street, Bristol (61C).

1861 Potter’s printer, Ash Lodge, Temple parish (27), living with his wife Ann (23) tailoress, born Newchurch, Monmouthshire (61C).
1862 & 68 Temple parish (TPR).
1868 21 Apr. Possibly the Joseph Cole who was accused of stealing a waistcoat from his place of work, Price’s Pottery, on 1 April 1867.  He pleaded guilty and was committed for six weeks’ imprisonment (Bristol Times & Mirror).
Children:
Charles, bapt 13 Apr 1862 (TPR), Lionel Tom, bapt 16 Feb 1868 (TPR)

COLE Lavinia Ann

See the Potteries List section for the St Philip’s Pottery 6.

The Pottery had previously been run by Thomas Homans Cole who died in October 1867. It was taken over by his widow, Lavinia Cole.

1867-71 Lavinia Cole ran the St Philip’s Pottery 6.

In 1869 she married Joseph Rowland Hands and they then ran the Pottery in partnership.

After Lavinia Cole’s death in 1871 the Pottery was run by Joseph Rowland Hands.

 

Born c1825 in Bath, the wife of Thomas Homans Cole and afterwards Joseph Rowland Hands, and the mother-in-law of Charles Davis (51C, 71C).

1864 16 Jul. ‘Died July 9, aged 65, Mrs S. Boades, mother of Mrs Cole, Albert Pottery, St Philip’s’ (Bristol Times & Mirror).
1867 2 Nov. ‘To gentlemen, nurserymen, builders and others. Lavinia Cole returns sincere thanks to her friends and the public for the liberal patronage bestowed on her late husband for the last 13 years, and begs to inform them she intends carrying on the business as usual, and hopes by strict attention to merit a continuance in their kind support. Albert Pottery, St Philip’s Marsh. 28 October 1867’ (Bristol Mercury).
1869-73 Lavinia Cole, brown and red ware potter, garden pot manufacturer, and brick and tile maker, St Philip’s Marsh (MD, WD).
1869 29 Sep. ‘Wanted a woman, as general servant, not under 40. Only two in family. Apply Albert Pottery, St Philip’s Marsh’ (Western Daily Press).
1869 9 Oct. On 2 October at St Barnabus church, Lavinia Ann, the widow of Thomas Cole of the Albert Pottery, St Philip’s parish, married Mr J.R. Hands of Bristol (Bristol Mercury). [She was aged 44, while he was 25].
1870 9 Sep. ‘For sale, a silver mounted harness, nearly new. Apply at Albert Pottery, St Philip’s Marsh’ (Western Daily Press).
1870 Mrs L. Hands, Albert Pottery (WD).
1871 Potter, employing 6 men and 2 boys, widow, Albert Pottery, 10 Albert Road, St Philip’s parish (46), living with her daughter, Rosina (27), born in St Philip’s parish (71C). [It is not known why Lavinia used the surname Cole in this census, rather than the surname of her new husband].
1871 Her daughter had married Charles Davis (40) who was ‘clerk in the pottery works’ (71C).
1871 18 Nov. ‘Died November 8 at Albert Pottery, Lavinia Ann, wife of Mr Jos R. Hands, aged 46’ (Bristol Mercury).

COLE Thomas

1767 25 Apr. He became a free potter because of his marriage to Mary, widow of James Bracey, mason (F, G).
1774 Potter, St Mary Redcliffe parish (P).
1781 Potter, Bedminster (P).
1784 Potter, Bedminster (P).
Children:
Henry, bapt 29 may 1782 (RPR), Elizabeth, bapt 30 Sep 1798 (RPR)

COLE Thomas Homans (Hamans)

See the Potteries List section for the St Philip’s Pottery 6.

The Pottery had previously been run by his mother, Frances Cole, who died in 1855.

1855-57 Thomas Homans Cole ran the St Philip’s Pottery 6.

He died in 1867 and was succeeded at the Pottery by his widow, Lavinia Cole.

 

Born in 1821 in St Philip’s parish, the son of John Cole I (PPR).

1841 Potter, Hambleton Cottage, Bedminster (20), born in county (41C).
1842 & 43 Marsh, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1845 Dings, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1851 6 St Philip’s Marsh, St Philip’s parish (29) living with his wife Lavinia (26), a dressmaker, born in Bath and children, Lavinia (9) born in Chatterton Square, Rosena (7) and Emily (4) (51C).
1857 15 Aug. ‘Liquor merchants, nurserymen, builders, and others. Albert Pottery, St Philip’s. Thomas Cole returns his sincere thanks to his friends and the public for the many favours they have bestowed upon him for the last two years, and begs to inform them that, in addition to all kinds of brown ware, he has entered upon the improved stone, which he can supply cheaper than any firm in the West of England’ (Bristol Mercury).
1857 Thomas Cole, brown stone and red ware potter, and brick and tile maker, St Philip’s Marsh (MD).
1858-65 Thomas Cole, brown and red ware potter, improved highly glazed stoneware, brick and tile maker, St Philip’s Marsh (MD).
1858 28 Dec. Noted as a potter when his daughter Leonora Lavinia of Albert Road, married Charles Butt, a potter (HTPR).
1859 22 Jan. For sale by auction ‘Fee farm rents … payable out of … a pottery occupied by Mr Thomas Cole … having a frontage on the River Avon …’ (Bristol Mercury).
1861 Master potter employing 7 men and 3 boys, St Philip’s Marsh, St Philip’s parish  living with his wife Lavinia A. and daughter Rosina (61C).
1862 26 Aug. ‘Wanted a man who perfectly understands the glazing and burning of redware. Apply to T. Cole, Albert Pottery, St Philip’s’ (Western Daily Press).
1864 22 Feb. Noted as a potter when his daughter Rosina (20) married Charles William Davis, a mariner (HTPR).
1864 27 Feb. Married at Holy Trinity church, Mr C.W. Davies of London to Rosina, second daughter of Mr Thomas Cole of the Albert Pottery, St Philip’s Marsh (Bristol Mercury).
1864 12 Sep. ‘Yesterday morning at half past ten, a fire broke out at Albert Pottery, St Philip’s Marsh, which threatened to be very serious, on account of the scarcity of the company’s water, had it not been discovered in time. Through the kindness of neighbours in fetching water from the river it was soon got under. Fortunately Mr Cole was insured’ (Western Daily Press).
1866-68 Thomas Cole, brown and red ware potter, garden pot manufacturer and brick and tile maker, St Philip’s Marsh (MD).
1867 15 Oct. He died and his will was proved on 30 Oct by his widow, Lavinia, of Albert Road, St Philip’s Marsh.  He was described as ‘late of the Albert Pottery’ and his estate was valued at under £60 (PRO Calendar of Wills and Administrations).
1867 19 Oct. ‘Died, October 15, after a long illness, Mr Thomas Cole of Albert Pottery, St Philip’s Marsh, aged 46, deeply lamented’ (Bristol Mercury).
1868 12 May. Noted as a potter when his daughter Lavinia Emily Cole (20) of The Marsh, married Joseph Whyatt, an accountant (PPR).
Children:
Leonora Lavinia (aged 3 mths), bapt 16 Jan 1842 (PPR), Rosina (aged 5 mths), bapt 5 Nov 1843 (PPR), Frederick John, born 20 Apr 1845, bapt 17 Aug 1845 (PPR), Lavinia Emily, born c1848 (51C, PPR)

 

COLE William

1804-5 Church Lane, Temple parish (12 windows) (Temple-W).

COLES Ann

Born c1842 in Burslem, Staffordshire (71C).

1871 Cup handler, 22 Orange Street, St Paul’s parish (29), living with her husband George, a stone cutter, and children Edward (8), born in Bristol, Henry (3), born in Hanley, Staffordshire, and Alfred (1), born in Bristol (71C).
1881 She had no occupation in the census (81C).