Bristol Potters
Research by Reg Jackson
RATCLIFFE Thomas H.
Born c1862 in Longton, Staffordshire (91C).
| 1891 | Potter’s fireman, 12 Orchard Road, St George (29), living with his wife Alice (27), born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, and children Lilian (3) and Harry (2), both born in Fenton, Staffordshire (91C). |
| 1901 | He is not recorded in the census but his wife Alice was a china dealer living at 16 High Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, with heir children Lillian (12) and Harry (11) both born in Fenton, and May (7) and Cissie (5), born in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire (01C). |
| 1911 | His wife was a widow (11C). |
RAY Arthur Wolverson
Born c1856 in Blaydon, Newcastle-on-Tyne, the brother of Harry Vernon Ray (71C, 81C).
| 1871 | Potter thrower, 58 Ebenezer Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire (16), living with his father William, a potter thrower and widower, and siblings (71C). |
| 1881 | 68 Mead Street, Bedminster (25), living with his wife Ann Maria (23), born in Bristol, and son William A. (6 mths), born in Bristol (81C). |
| 1891 | Throwing potter, 113 St Luke’s Road, Bedminster (35), living with his wife Maria (34) and children (91C). |
| 1901 | Potter’s foreman, 25 Almorah Road, Bedminster (45), living with his wife Ann (43) and children (01C). |
| 1907 | 9 Dec. He was described as a foreman of a department at Price, Powell and Company (Western Daily Press). |
| 1911 | Foreman potter stoneware, 21 Almorah Road, Bedminster (55), living with his wife Ann Maria (54) and children (11C). |
| 1926 | 30 Nov. He died at 20 Almorah Road and the probate of his will was granted to his widow and his eldest son, William Alfred Ray. Effects valued at £1,392.2s.11d (Ancestry website). |
| Children: | |
| William, born c1880 in Bristol (81C); Frank, born c1882 in Totterdown (91C); Florence, born c1886 in Totterdown; Edith, born c1888 in Totterdown; Arthur, born c1890 in Totterdown; Lillian, born c1894 in Bristol (01C); George, born c1896 in Bristol (01C) |
RAY Ernest Arnold
Born c1890 in St Mary Redcliffe parish, the son of Harry Vernon Ray (11C).
| 1911 | Potter’s assistant (wedger), 146 York Road, New Cut, Bedminster (21), living with his father and siblings (11C). |
RAY Harry Vernon
Born c1858 in Blaydon, Newcastle on Tyne,, the father of Ernest Arnold Ray and the brother of Arthur Wolverson and William Ray II (71C, 11C).
| 1871 | Potter thrower, 58 Ebenezer Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire (13), living with his widowed father William and siblings (71C). |
| 1881 | 2 Rowley Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (23), living with his parents William I and Emma E. Rowley and siblings (81C). |
| 1891 | Stone ware potter, 11 Rowley Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (33), living with his wife Alice (27), born in Temple parish, and children (91C). |
| 1901 | Stoneware potter, 17 Rowley Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (43), living with his wife Alice (36), born in Bristol, and children (01C). |
| 1906 | 3 Aug. Noted as a potter when his daughter Beatrice Violetta Ray (21) of 9 Rowley Place, Chatterton Square, St Mary Redcliffe3 parish, married Richard George Blizzard (RPR). |
| Children: William, born c1882 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Anthea, born c1884 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Beatrice, born c1886 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Ernest, born c1890 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Selina, born c1893 in Bristol (01C); Grace, born c1895 in Bristol (01C); Edith, born c1898 in Bristol (01C) |
RAY William I
Born c1829 in Kingswinford, Staffordshire, the father of Arthur, Harry and William Ray II (81C).
| 1871 | Potter thrower, widower, 58 Ebenezer Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire (42), living with his children William and Harry (71C). |
| 1881 | 2 Rowley Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (52), living with his wife Emma E. (50) born in London, Surrey, and children (81C). |
| 1888 | 15 May. Noted as a potter when his son Alfred Samuel Ray of 29 Lukes Road, Bedminster married Florence Mary Headford (JBPR). |
| 1891 | No occupation, widower, 48 William Street, Bedminster (60), living with his daughter Florence (91C). |
| Children: William, born c1854 in Kennington, Surrey (71C); Arthur Wolverson, born c1855 in Blaydon, Durham (71C); Henry/Harry, born c1858 in Blaydon, Durham (71C); Emily A., born c1863 in Paisley, Staffordshire (81C); Alfred S., born c1867 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (81C); Florence M., born c1873 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (81C) |
RAY William II
Born c1854 in Kennington, Surrey, the son of William Ray I, the father of William Ray II and the brother of Arthur Wolverson and Harry Vernon Ray (71C, 81C, 91C).
| 1871 | Potter thrower, 58 Ebenezer Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire (17), living with his widowed father William, potter thrower, and siblings (71C). |
| 1881 | Stoneware potter, 9 Chatterton Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (27) living with his wife Betsy (29) born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire and children (81C). |
| 1891 | Throwing potter, 91 St Luke’s Road, Bedminster (37), living with his wife Betsy (37) and children (91C). |
| 1901 | Potter clay, 73 St Luke’s Road, Bedminster (47), living with his wife Betsy (48) and children (01C). |
| 1911 | Potter, stone warehouse, 56 Oxford Street, Totterdown (57), living with his wife Betsy (59) and children (11C). |
| Children: William Arthur, born c1874 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (81C); Emma, born c1878 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (81C); Joseph, born c1883 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (91C); Harry, born c1886 in Bristol (91C); Arthur, born c1888 in Bristol (91C); Maud, born c1891 in Bristol (91C); May, born c1894 in Bristol (01C); Clifford, born c1896 in Bristol (01C) |
RAY William III
Born c1874 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, the son of William Ray II (91C).
| 1891 | Throwing potter, 91 St Luke’s Road, Bedminster (16), living with his parents and siblings (91C). |
| 1901 | Potter, 106 Whitehouse Lane, Bedminster (27), living with his wife Mary (26), born in Bedminster, and daughter Violet (2), born in Bedminster (01C). |
| 1911 | Potter, stoneware, 22 Waters Place, Whitehouse Street, Bedminster (37), living with his wife Mary (36) and children including Dorothy (7), Walter (6), Beatrice (3) and Winnifred (1), all born in Bedminster (11C). |
RAYMON Thomas
| 1790 | 9 Oct. ‘Monday was married at Bedminster church, Mr Thomas Raymon, potter, on the Broad-Ware, to Miss Downs, eldest daughter of Mr Downs, bellman of this city’ (BMBJ). |
READ (REED) Charles
See the Potteries List section for the Counterslip Pottery.
| c1764-76 | Charles Read ran the Counterslip Pottery. |
| 1776 | Charles Read died, but the Pottery was carried on by his executor(s) for the benefit of his sons, Joseph and William Read, presumably until 1783. |
Joseph Gadd and Thomas Patience took over the Counterslip Pottery in 1783.
The son of Charles Read of Calne, Wiltshire, woolcomber (A).
| 1741 | 12 Oct. He was apprenticed to Paul and Elizabeth Townsend with £10, the gift of the Wiltshire Society. Friends to find apparel (A, Ao, Ar). |
| 1764 | 17 Mar. ‘At Read & Co’s Pothouse 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, etc, 30 per cent under common selling Price in this city. Also all sorts of Muggs, etc, at Lowest Prices’ (FFJ). |
| 1774 | 28 Sep. ‘Thursday died (sincerely regretted by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance) Mrs Reed, wife of Mr Reed, potter, in Temple Street’ (BG). |
| 1775 | Potter, 3 Counterslip (SD). |
| 1776 | 26 Mar. ‘All persons who have demands on the late Charles Read, Potter in Temple St., are desired to send their Particulars to Mr Edward Lacon, linendraper, Bristol, Admin., who respectfully acquaints the Friends and Customers of the Deceased that the Trade is carried on at the usual Place by and for the Benefit of his sons Joseph and William Read (till they come of Age) where any Orders they mat be favoured with, shall be punctually executed and gratefully acknowledged by them as well as their obedient humble servant Edward Lacon’ (BG). |
| Rate and tax book entries: Property 1 [29 Sep 1764-25 Mar 1783 Charles Read Counterslip (Temple-Wa,L,W)Property 2 [29 Sep 1764-25 Mar 1783 Charles Read a warehouse and yard Counterslip (Temple-Wa,LS,W) |
READ Joseph
See the Potteries List section for the Counterslip Pottery and the 124 Temple Street Pottery.
Counterslip Pottery
Previously ran by his father Charles Read.
| 1776-83 | The Pottery appears to have been run by the executor(s) of Charles Read’s estate for the benefit of his sons, Joseph and William Read, until they came of age.
Joseph Read was born in about 1757 and would have come of age in 1778 while William Read’s birth date is not known and no further reference to him as been found. |
Joseph Gadd and Thomas Patience took over the Counterslip Pottery in 1783.
124 Temple Street Pottery
It is not known when Joseph Read became involved with Charles Price I in running the 124 Temple Street Pottery. His name was first recorded in connection with the Pottery in 1799. He was referred to as an accountant in 1794 and it is possible that he subsequently reverted to his previous trade as a potter.
| 1799-1803 | Charles Price I and Joseph Read ran the 124 Temple Street Pottery, trading as Price & Read. |
The Pottery was still operating as ‘Price and Read’ in 1804, despite Read’s death in 1803, and the name of the firm seems to have been retained subsequently at the 123 (or 125) Temple Street Pottery until 1817, although Charles Price I was the only surviving partner.
Then John Duffett succeeded Charles Price I at the 124 Temple Street Pottery.
Born c1757 in Bristol, the son of Charles Read, and the brother of William Read.
| 1776 | 26 Mar. The Counterslip Pottery was to be carried on for his benefit, until he came of age (BG). |
| 1778 | 14 Aug. A potter of Temple parish, he was granted a licence to marry Ann Jones of St James’s parish, at St James’s (M). |
| 1778 | 17 Aug. Joseph Read of Temple parish married Ann Jones (JaPR). |
| c1780 | Married his second wife, Eliza (information from the Price family). |
| 1794 | Accountant, Barrs Street (MD). |
| 1796 | 23 Aug. A potter of Bristol, he was bondsman in respect of the will of John Tagg of St Philip and Jacob parish, limeburner (BRO Will 1796). |
| 1798 | 23 Mar. Presumably the Joseph Read who witnessed the will of Joseph Gadd, potter. |
| 1799-1801 | Price & Read, brown stone potter, Temple Street (MD). (This was Charles Price I and Joseph Read). |
| 1802-04 | Price & Read, brown stone potter, 124 Temple Street (MD). |
| 1803 | Potter, Barrs Street (MD). |
| 1803 | 29 Dec. ‘Joseph Read, aged 46 years, late of Barrs Lane in St Paul’s parish, was interred in the Baptist Burial Ground, near Redcross Street’ (PRO RG4/1826 Broad Mead (Baptist), 1789-1803). |
| 1805-08 | Price & Read, brown stone potter, 123 Temple Street (sometimes Price & Read (late Alsop) (MD). |
| 1809-17 | Price & Read, brown stone potters, 123 Temple Street, next to the Bunch of Grapes, Thomas Street (MD). |
| Children: | |
| Anna Maria, married 1807; Sophia; Anne, married 1808, died 1812; Eliza, born 1786, married 1807, died 1838; Lydia; Ellen (all information from the Price family). |
READ William
See the Potteries List section for the Counterslip Pottery.
The son of Charles Read and the brother of Joseph Read.
| 1776 | 26 Mar. The Counterslip Pottery was to be carried on by the executor(s) of the estate of his father, Charles Read, for his benefit until he came of age (BG). It seems unlikely that William Read was active in the business. |
REDMAN Rose
Born c1858 in St George (81C).
| 1881 | Potter warehousewoman, 2 Henry Row, St Philip’s parish (23) (81C). |
| 1891 | She had moved to Mells, Somerset, where her husband was a police constable (91C). |
REDWORTHY (REXWORTHY) John
| 1820 | 27 Nov. St Thomas parish on his marriage to Ann Nation of St Thomas parish (ThPR). |
| 1821 | 29 Apr. Temple parish on the baptism of his son John Edward (born 20 Jan 1821). Wife Ann (TPR). |
REED John
The son of John Reed of Bristol, coachmaker (A).
| 1794 | 5 Apr. He was apprenticed to Michael and Elizabeth Edkins (A). |
REES Charles
Born c1846 in Bristol (61C).
| 1861 | Potter, 2 Brick Street, St Philip’s parish (15), living with his parents Charles and Susan Rees, labourer at oil factory (61C). |
| 1871 | Labourer in oil mills, 24 Wade Street, St Philip’s parish (25), living with his wife Anna (24) and daughter Harriet (2), both born in Bristol (71C). |
REES James
Born c1817, the son of Joseph Rees (A).
| 1831 | 21 Jul. (or 1832; Ao). The son of Joseph Rees he was apprenticed to William and Constance Powell, aged 15 years, and with 40s from Alderman Kitchen’s Charity (A, Ao). |
REES Joseph
The son of Joseph Rees of Bristol, hallier (A), he was the father of James Rees (A).
| 1804 | 8 May. He was apprenticed to Edward Patience (A, Ao). |
| 1815 | 3 Dec. St John’s parish on the baptism of his son Joseph. Wife Mary (JaPR). |
| 1830 | Crown Court, Temple parish (P). |
| 1831 or 32 | 21 Jul. Noted as a potter when his son James was apprenticed to William and Constance Powell (A, Ao). |
| 1832 | Crown Court, Temple parish (P). |
| 1832 | Crown Court, Temple parish (List if Electors BRO 04736). |
| 1835 | Crown Court, Temple parish (P). |
REESE Charles
Born c1846 in Bristol (61C).
| 1861 | Braggs Lane, St Philip’s parish (15), living with his grandmother Elizabeth Henson, a widow (61C). |
REEVES George
| 1736 | 10 Aug. ‘Assignment of the residue of a term of 99 years by Thomas Cave the elder of Bristol, pewterer, and George Reeves, potter, of a piece of ground on which Thomas Cave has built a house in a lane leading from Redcliff Pitt to Redcliff Backs’ (BRO Quaker Deeds SF/D2/8). |
| 1741 | He stood sureties of £5 for Joseph Bale and Jeffrey Bedford to keep alehouses in St Mary Redcliffe parish (AKL). |
| 1748 | 25 May. ‘Assignment absolute for 99 years, George Reeves, potter, and others re. the above property’ (BRO Quaker Deeds SF/D2/10). |
REID Thomas
The son of John Reid of Bristol, gardener (A).
| 1777 | 25 Aug. He was apprenticed to William II and Elizabeth Maynard. Friends to find apparel and washing (A, Ao). |