Bristol Potters

Research by Reg Jackson

EASTMAN Thomas

Born c1847 in London (61C).

1861	Kingsland Road, St Philip’s parish (14), the son of William, a sawyer (61C).

EATON Ralph I

The father of Ralph Eaton II (A).

1691	7 Jan. A potter of Westbury-on-Trym, he was granted a licence to marry Anna Williams, widow, of the same parish at Westbury or the Cathedral (M).
1715	22 Oct. Noted as a potter of Westbury-on-Trym when his son, Ralph II was apprenticed to Mary Orchard, potter (A, Ar).
1719	He was paying Poor Rate of 9d on property valued at £1 (BRO P/HTW/OP 1(b)).
1721	3 Oct. Ralph Eaton buried (WPR).
1728	2 Jan. Hannah Eaton buried (WPR).

EATON Ralph II

The son of Ralph Eaton I of Westbury-on-Trym, potter (A).

1715	22 Oct. He was apprenticed to Mary Orchard. Friends to find apparel (A, Ar).
1724	11 May. He became a free mugmaker (F, G).
1724	26 Sep. A potter of St Mary Redcliffe parish, he was granted a licence to marry Mary Wraxall of the same parish at St Mary Redcliffe or the Cathedral (M).
1729	Mary, the wife of Ralph Eaton of St Mary Redcliffe parish, received £1 from John Whitson’s Charity for poor women in child bed (JW).
1730	7 Apr. A potter of Bristol he stood surety of £20 for Thomas Cadwallader (T).
1734 & 1739	Mugmaker, St Mary Redcliffe parish (P).
1776	28 Feb. His son Ralph took his freedom as a baker (F).
	Rate book entries: 25 Dec 1717-25 Dec 1729 Ralph Eaton (SMR-LS) [29 Sep 1724-25 Mar 1732 Ralph Eaton Redcliffe Street (SMR-L,PR) [29 Sep 1725-25 Mar 1726 Owner: Mrs Orchard, Tenant: Ralph Eaton, Redcliffe Street (SMR-L)
	Children: Charles, bapt 14 Feb 1725 (RPR), Mary, bapt 14 Aug 1726, buried 27 Oct 1728 (RPR), Ralph, bapt 24 Feb 1728 (RPR), Elizabeth and Mary (twins), bapt 3 Dec 1729; Mary buried 9 Dec 1729 (RPR), Hannah, bapt 25 Dec 1731 (RPR), Ralph (aged 2 years) buried 20 Mar 1732 (RPR), Ralph, bapt 20 May 1735 (RPR)

EAVES John

1807-08	China enameller, Under the Bank (MD).
1809	China enameller, Under the Bank (Holden’s D).

See Towner, D. 1978. Creamware. London: Faber & Faber, pp176 & 178:
‘A plate in the Victoria and Albert Museum, having an enamel-painted armorial design, is signed ‘J. Eaves, Bristol’. Eaves no doubt enamelled for Joseph Ring’.

EDGAR Alexander

See the Potteries List section for the St Philip’s Pottery 4.

Pre 1772

Alexander Edgar had been operating the St Philip’s Pottery 4.

The Pottery appears to have been taken over by Earl Pearce I in 1772.

1772	17 Sep. Sale of lands including: ‘Lot 5. All that Pothouse, Yard and Buildings, situate in Avon-street … now lett to Alexander Edgar, Esq., for a term of twenty-one Years, about sixteen Years whereof is now to come, at the Yearly Rent of £4.10s’ (BG).

It is known that Pearce succeeded Edgar at the Pottery (BRO B4978).

EDKINS Joseph

1795	31 Jan. The son of Michael Edkins, a painter (see below) he was apprenticed to his parents (A).

EDKINS Michael

He is generally considered to have been a decorator or painter of tin-glazed earthenware (Owen 1873, 330 & Pountney 1920, 87 etc) although he was also a general house and sign painter.

1755	28 Apr. Possibly the Michael Edkins who married Elizabeth James, both of St Augustine-the-Less parish (APR).
1756	21 Feb. He became a free painter because of his marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of William James, glassmaker, deceased (F).
1761	13 May. He was described as a painter (A).
1763	Probably the ‘Michae. Edkins’, a victualler, for whom Thomas Taylor II stood surety to keep an alehouse in St Mary Redcliffe parish (AKL).
1764	‘Mical Edkins’ was included in the list of persons holding alehouse licences in St Mary Redcliffe parish (BRO Wooden Box 1764 Bundle 11 no.4).
1766-7	Probably the Michael Edkins, a victualler, for whom Thomas Taylor II stood sureties to keep an alehouse in St Mary Redcliffe parish (AKL).
1772	2 Jul. To be sold by auction two tenements next above the Hoopers Arms on Redcliff Hill, one in the possession of Michael Edkins, painter (BG).
1774	7 Apr. The property on Redcliff Hill was again advertised for auction but was described as ‘lately in the possession of Michael Edkins, painter’ (BG).
1777	He painted a sign board for Joseph Flower (EL).
1794	5 Apr. He was described as a painter (A).
1795	31 Jan. He was described as a painter (A).
1811	27 Jul. Died ‘Tuesday fe’nnight in his 78th year, at his house in Bridge Street, Mr Michael Edkins, painter; whose uniform affability and urbanity rendered him equally esteemed in life as lamented in death’ (FFJ).
	Apprentices: With his wife Elizabeth Benjamin Williams, 13 May 1761 (A) John Reed, 1 Apr 1794 (A) Joseph Edkins, 31 Jan 1795 (A)
	Children: Jane, buried 20 Aug 1757 (RPR), Jane, buried 13 Jan 1760 (RPR), William, bapt 25 May 1764 (RPR), Ann, bapt 2 May 1766 (RPR), Susannah, bapt 10 May 1771 (RPR), Joseph, bapt 21 Oct 1774 (RPR)
	Rate book entries: Property 1: [29 Sep 1757-29 Sep 1762] Mich. Edlkins Redcliffe Pit/Hill/Mayors Paddock (SMR-PR,LS,W,Wa) [29 Sep 1762-29 Sep 1763 Michael Edkins void Redcliffe Pit/Hill/Mayors Paddock (SMR-W,LS,Wa) Property 2: 29 Sep 1761-29 Sep 1762] Michael Edkins/Late Patience Redcliffe Hill and Pit (SMR-Wa) [29 Sep 1762-29 Sep 1768] Michael Edkins Redcliffe Hill and Pit (SMR-Wa,LS,W) [29 Sep 1768-29 Sep 1769 Michael Edkins now Perrins Redcliffe Hill (SMR-Wa) Property 3: [29 Sep 1761-29 Sep 1769] Edkins Coachhouse Guinea Street (SMR-Wa) [29 Sep 1769-29 Sep 1770 Michael Edkins Coachhouse void Redcliffe Hill (SMR-Wa) Property 4: [25 Mar 1768-25 Mar 1771] Michael Edkins Poor Redcliffe Lane/Brickyard (SMR-W) Property 5: 25 Mar 1771-29 Sep 1772] Michael Edkins Redcliffe Hill and Guinea Street (SMR-L,LS,W,Wa) 29 Sep 1772-25 Mar 1774 Michael Edkins void Redcliffe Hill and Guinea Street (SMR-L,LS,Wa,W)

EDMONDS Solomon

The son of Daniel Edmond of Bristol, labourer (A).

1806	21 May. He was apprenticed to James and Margaret Alsop I (A, Ao).

EDWARDS Charles

1732	6 Apr. ‘John Arnoll agst Charles Edwards at Mr Potteryes, Brandon Hill’ (C). See also William Pottery.

EDWARDS Dorothy

Born c1893 in Soundwell, Gloucestershire (11C).

1911	Lithographer, Pountneys pottery, 4 Napier Road, Eastville (18) (11C).

EDWORTHY Solomon

Born c1826 in Kingston, Somerset (51C) or in Bedminster (61C).

1851	Labourer, mason’s, 5 Taylors Court, St Mary Redcliffe parish (25), living with his wife Mary Ann (20), born in St Philip’s parish, and son James Charles (11 mths) (51C).
1861	Potter’s labourer, West Street, Bedminster (35), living with his wife Mary A. (29) born in St Philip’s parish, and children (61C).
1871	His wife Mary Ann was described as a ‘potter’s widow’ (71C).
	Children: James C., born c1850 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (61C), Edward S., born c1855 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (61C), Charles J., born c1858 in Bedminster (61C), George, born c1860 in Bedminster (61C), William, born c1864 in Bedminster, Mary Ann, born c1866 in Bedminster (71C)

ELBURY Edward

Born c1821 in St Mary Redcliffe parish, the son of William Elbury and the brother of Henry Elbury and William Richard Elbury, and the father of Henry Elbury (61C, 71C, 81C).

1821	11 Mar. Probably the Edward Elbury baptised at St John’s, Bedminster, the son of William and Ann Elbury (Ancestry website).
1841	Journeyman potter, Avon Cottage, St Philip’s Marsh (20), living with his parents (41C).
1851	Potter, lodging at 105 Dyers Street, Lambeth, Surrey (30) (51C).
1851	29 Jun. A stone potter, the son of William Elbury, a stone potter, he married Jane Simmons (26), the daughter of John Simmons at St Leonard’s church, Shoreditch, London (Ancestry website).
1861	Stoneware potter, 23 Harford Street, Bedminster (40), living with his wife Jane (38) born in East Grinstead, Sussex, his children and his father William Elbury (67), stoneware potter, born in Bristol and his brother Henry Elbury (22), stoneware potter, born in Bristol (61C).
1862	St Mary Redcliffe parish (TPR).
1871	Stoneware potter, 7 York Road, Bedminster (50), living with his wife Jane and children (71C).
1880	21 Sep. Noted as a potter when his son Thomas (18) a hotel servant of 9 Orchard Square, St Mary Redcliffe parish, married Emily Collier (20) (RPR).
1901	Potter, widower, 4 Merioneth Street, Bedminster (80) (01C).
1905	Died in Bristol, aged 83 (Ancestry website).
	Children: Edward Henry, born c1852 in London (61C), Eliza Jane, born c1856 in Bristol (61C), Henry William, born c1860 in Bristol (61C), Thomas, born in 1862 in Bedminster, bapt 4 May 1862 (71C, TPR)

ELBURY Henry

Born c1858 in Bedminster, the son of Edward Elbury (71C, 81C).

1871	Possibly the Henry William Elbury, living with his parents at 7 York Road, Bedminster (71C).
1881	40 Somerset Street, Bedminster (23), living with his wife Alice (21), born in Bristol (81C).

ELBURY Henry Edwin

Born c1838 in Bristol, the son of William Elbury and the brother of Edward Elbury and William Richard Elbury (51C).

1861	Stoneware potter, 23 Harford Street, Bedminster (22) he was living with his brother Edward and his family and also with his father (61C).
1863	10 Mar. Wellesley Street (24) the son of William Elbury I, potter, he married Emma Fry (20) the daughter of Thomas Fry, a farmer (HTPR).
1868	St Mary Redcliffe parish (TPR).
1871	Stoneware potter, 9 Clarence Square, Bedminster (32), living with his wife Emma (27), born in Norton, Somerset, and children (71C).
1881	Stoneware potter, 39 Stratfield Road, Bromley, London (42), living with his wife Emma (38) and children (81C).
1891	He was still living and working in Bromley (91C).
1901	He had moved to Christchurch, West Ham, Stratford, London (01C).
	Children: Ada, born c1863 in Bristol (71C), Charles, born c1866 in Bristol (71C), Emma Rosa, bapt 29 Nov 1868 (TPR), Henry, born c1871 in Bristol (71C), Rose, born c1875 in London (81C), Emma, born c1877 in London (81C)

ELBURY Richard

Born c1801 in Somerset (41C).

1841	Redcliff Crescent East, Bedminster (40), born in county (41C).

ELBURY Thomas

Born c1827 in St Philip’s parish, possibly the son of William Elbury (PPR, 51C).

1827	24 Jun. Possibly the Thomas Elbury baptised, the son of William and Ann Elbury, potter, of St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1851	Potter, 4 South Lambeth, Lambeth, London (24), living with his wife Emma (23), born in Wales, and children Richard (2), born in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, and Emma (1), born in London (51C).
1855	16 Dec. Potter, Temple parish on the baptism of his daughter Susan Jane (TPR).
1861	Refreshment house keeper, 9 Bridewell Street, St James’s parish (33), living with his wife Emma (33), and children including Emily (age illegible), born in St James’s parish (61C).

ELBURY William

Born c1793 in Bristol, the father of Edward, Henry, William Richard and possibly Thomas Elbury (51C, PPR).

1807	11 Nov. He was apprenticed to John and Frances Cole (A, Ao).
1818	He was one of eight journeymen potters who was convicted of entering into an unlawful agreement for ‘controlling and affecting Messrs. Wm. & Thos. Powell, being persons carrying on the manufacture trade or business of a potter, in the conduct or management thereof, & severally sentenced to be imprisoned in the House of Correction for one month’. The Bright goblet to commemorate this event was made on 4 Dec. 1818 (Bristol Museum Acc. No. 2225). He was employed by W. & T. Powell.
1819	25 Apr. Stone potter, St James’s parish (JaPR).
1823	28 Sep. Tiley’s Building, Old Market, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1825-31	St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1830	St Philip’s Marsh (P).
1832	St Philip’s Marsh (P).
1832 & 34	St Philip’s Marsh (List of Electors BRO 04736).
1833-42	Marsh, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1837	St Philip’s Marsh (P).
1841	Journeyman potter, Avon Cottage, St Philip’s Marsh, St Philip’s parish (40), living with his wife Ann and children (41C).
1841	St Philip’s Marsh (P).
1844	Possibly the ‘R. Elbury’, stoneware potter, red ware chimney & garden pot manufacturer, Avon Street, St Philip’s (MD).
1850	31 May. Noted as a potter when his son William II (31) of Langton Street, Bedminster, married Matilda Jarvis (JBPR).
1851	Stoneware potter, 2 Russell Street, St Mary Redcliffe parish (58), living with his wife Ann (56) born in Bristol and children (51C).
1852	Russell Street, St Mary Redcliff parish (P).
1861	Stoneware potter, 23 Harford Street, Bedminster (67) he was living with his son Edward and his family, and his son Henry (61C).
1863	10 Mar. Noted as a potter when his son Henry Edwin (24) of Wellesley Street married Emma Fry (HTPR).
	Children: William Richard, bapt 25 Apr 1819 (JaPR), William, born c1821 in Bristol (41C), Edward, born c1821 in Bristol (41C), Elizabeth Ann (aged 3 wks), bapt 28 Dep 1823 (PPR), Thomas, bapt 25 Dec 1825 (PPR), Thomas, bapt 24 Jun 1827 (PPR), George, bapt 12 Jun 1831 (PPR), Emma, bapt 25 Aug 1833 (PPR), Richard Hardwick (aged 1 mth), bapt 28 Aug 1836 (PPR), Henry Edwin, born c1838 in Bristol (51C), James, born c1839 in Bristol (41C), Richard Hardwick (aged 6 wks), bapt 17 Aug 1842 (PPR)

ELBURY William Richard

Born c1819 in Bristol, the son of William Elbury and brother of Edward, Henry and possibly Thomas Elbury (51C, JaPR).

1819	25 Apr. Baptised, the son of William Elbury (JaPR).
1850	31 May. Langton Street, Bedminster (31), the son of William Elbury I, he married Matilda Jarvis (27), widow (JBPR).
1850	25 Aug. Langston Street, Bedminster (JBPR).
1851	Journeyman stoneware potter, 34 Langton Street, Bedminster (32), living with his wife Matilda (28), born in Lambeth, London, and daughter Phillis (51C).
1853	9 Jan. St Mary Redcliffe parish (TPR).
1855	8 Apr. St Thomas Street (TPR).
1861	Stoneware potter, Wandsworth Road, Lambeth (42), living with his wife Matilda (37) and children (61C).
1871	His wife was still living in London, but was a widow (71C).
	Children: Phillis Susannah Matilda, bapt 25 Aug 1850 (JBPR), William Francis Leopold, bapt 9 Jan 1853 (TPR), Julia Emma, bapt 8 Apr 1855 (TPR)

ELLIOTT Alfred

Born c1855 in Bristol (71C).

1871	Potter, Rich’s Buildings, St Philip’s parish (16) (71C).

ELLIS Arthur

See the Potteries List section for the Crown Pottery Company.

The Pottery had previously been run by his father, John Ellis II.

1885-86

Arthur Ellis ran the Crown Pottery Company.

He died in March 1886 and the Pottery was advertised for sale. It was acquired by Thomas Bertram Johnson.

Born c1858 in Bristol, the son of John Ellis II and the brother of Henry Ellis (71C).

1871	Crown Pottery, Clouds Hill, St George (13), living with his father, aunt and siblings (71C).
1881	Manufacturer, boarding at 96 Victoria Villas, St James and St Paul’s parish (23) (81C).
1884	29 Mar. ‘For sale. Spring cart, would suit cob 14 hands. Also a set of harness, nearly new. Arthur Ellis, Crown Pottery, St George’s’ (Western Daily Press).
1885-87	Arthur Ellis, earthenware manufacturer, Crown Pottery, St George (WD).
1885	30 Mar. Offers wanted for 300 dozen jars, holding 8 oz and 2 oz respectively. Crown Potteries, St George’s’ (Western Daily Press).
1885	18 Sep. ‘To grocers and others. Lot of earthenware butter stands, cheap. Apply Crown Potteries, St George’s’ (Western Daily Press).
1886	16 Feb. ‘Dog cart, with cushions and india rubber mats. Also nearly new silver-mounted harness. Crown Potteries, St George’s’ (Western Daily Press).
1886	15 Mar. ‘Died March 11, at Swansea Villa, Cromwell Road, St Andrew’s, Arthur Ellis, late of Crown Potteries St George, aged 28’ (Western Daily Press).
1886	25 Jun. ‘Crown Pottery, St George’s. In consequence of the death of the late proprietor, the executor of the estate is prepared to sell this very desirable and compact business which has been carried on so successfully for some years past, and was in full work until very recently. The business presents an admirable opportunity for investment of a moderate capital, and can be continued at once as a going concern’ (Western Daily Press).
1886	14 Aug. The Crown Pottery, St George, was advertised for sale by auction, described as: ‘All that close of freehold land, containing 2 acres (more or less), and situate at St George’s, with the various buildings erected thereon; consisting of a commodious dwelling house, counting house, capital warehouses, kilns, workshops, etc. The valuable machinery and plant, including a 20 horse-power steam engine and boiler, and the goodwill of the business will be included in the sale. The pottery is situate within easy distance of Bristol, but being just outside the city boundary the taxes are low. A never failing stream of pure water runs through the premises. The late Mr Ellis carried on a lucrative business for many years on the above premises, and as the same are in full working order, a capital opportunity is now afforded to any gentleman desirous of embarking in the pottery trade’ (Bristol Mercury).