Dublin.

Delamain.—A manufactory of delft-ware existed here in the Strand, in the early and middle part of last century. Before 1753 the manufactory had passed into the hands of Captain Henry Delamain, who, as stated by himself, “when the delft manufactory in this city [Dublin] failed,” “being convinced that it might be carried on greatly to the advantage of this nation, took said manufactory into his hands, built workhouses and kilns, erected a mill to grind flint and metals,” and so forth. In that year he appears to have had as a confidential manager Mr. William Stringfellow, who probably had either been the previous owner of the manufactory or one of the “most knowing persons” of those works. In the year referred to Capt. Delamain petitioned the Irish House of Commons for assistance in carrying out his undertaking. His case was thus stated:

“A.D. 1761. 1st November. Geo. II.[66]

“A Petition of Henry Delamain the Younger, of the City of Dublin, Gentleman, Setting forth:—that when the Delft Manufactory in this City failed, the petitioner being convinced that it might be carried on greatly to the advantage of this Nation, took said Manufactory into his hands, built Workhouses and Kilns, erected a mill to grind flint and Metals, and discharged debts affecting the old Manufactory, and also supported the most knowing persons that were employed at the old Manufactory, while his new one was building, to prevent their leaving the Kingdom; and purchased the Art of Printing Earthen Ware with as much Beauty, Strong Impression, and Dispatch as it can be done on paper. That the Petitioner lived above 20 years abroad, where he acquired a knowledge in the Manufactures of Delft and Earthen Ware and having taken a Circuit thro’ this Kingdom found that every Province therein is furnished with proper Materials for making thereof. That the Petitioner after many repeated experiments has discovered the secrets of Glazing Delft Ware with Coals, and Painting and Glazing Flint Ware. That the petitioner employs upwards of 40 families in his Manufactory, and proposes taking a number of Charter School Boys apprentice, by which means he will be able to supply New Manufactories with Artists; and the petitioner is willing not only to communicate all the secrets of his business to any one setting them up, but also to assist them in the construction of their kilns, &c. That the petitioner laid Specimens of the Wares made by him before the Dublin Society, who were of opinion that they were as good, and some of them better than any imported into Ireland; and found on Experiments made, that they stood boiling water without breaking or Cracking; and as it can be made near 20 per cent. cheaper than it can be imported, he apprehends a great benefit will arise, not only by preventing large sums from going out of the Kingdom for said Manufactures, but also by exporting it to Foreign Markets, and praying aid to enable him to carry on the said Manufactory, was presented to the House and read.

“Ordered to be reported on by Sir Arthur Gore and a Committee.”

“Sir A. Gore reported that the Committee considered the Allegations proved, and that the Petitioner deserved encouragement.[67]

“Referred to Committee of Supply.”

“Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that a sum of £1000 be given to Henry Delamain the Younger, Manufacturer of Earthen Ware, for his encouragement, and to enable him more effectually to carry on the said Manufacture.”[68]

In the same year, 1753, Delamain having discovered a way to use coal instead of wood in the manufacture of earthenware, applied to the English Parliament for compensation for making his invention public. From the Journal of the House it appears his petition, wherein he is described as “Henry Delamain, gentleman,” was read on the 21st of January, 1754, and referred to a Committee, where, however, the whole matter seems to have ended. In it he says that “he has discovered a method of firing kilns of a particular construction,” “which perfectly burn and glaze all sorts of white ware with coal in less time and in larger quantities than the method now practised by burning of wood, and at one-third of the expense.” In a not very honourable letter, printed by Owen, Delamain speaks of his intention of applying to “the Parliament of England for a reward for having burnt and glazed delft-ware with coals,” instead of wood or turf. In this letter Delamain writes to Stringfellow that he has seen the Liverpool potters and told them of the success of his plan, and he desires him to write how well he has succeeded with the coal; he says, even “suppose it has happened quite the reverse, do you write what I desire you, for your own advantage as well as my credit; for I have set them all on fire to burn their ware with coals, and have come to this agreement with them, that you are to come over to build their kilns, for which they will pay you handsomely.” And again he says, “by all means answer to them by return of post all you can say in its favour, and more if necessary.” The letter is addressed, “to Mr. Wm. Stringfellow, at the Delft Manufactory, on the Strand, Dublin,” and dated 19th of December, 1753. Another letter, addressed to his wife, “Mrs. Mary Delamain, at the India Warehouse, Abbey Street, Dublin,” by Capt. Delamain, is to the same effect, and runs as follows:—

“To Mrs. Mary Delamain, at the India Warehouse, Abbey Street, Dublin.

Tuesday, Liverpool [Jany.] 18th, 1753.

“My D^r Poll,

“Inclos’d I send you a letter to Mr. Stringfellow the purport of it is to desire him by all means to answer some letters that will be wrote to him this night from Liverpoole to know how our large kiln has turned out; send for him on the rec^t of this and right or wrong beg of him to write it was burnt twice before I left Ireland and once since, and that it succeeds so well that not a bit of ware was smoked and that it Glazes the Ware better than Turf and Wood & makes it harder, less subject to peel, and that about two Tun or 2 and a half of coals will burn it off, give him this letter for fear he s^d forget writing them all the above particulars, let him write the night he receives mine, for as soon as his letter arrives at Liverpoole the Mayor Corporation and all the Potters will joyne in a petition for me to parliament & they will give Mr. Stringfellow a handsome some of money to build them kilns. I go to London this day and shall call in my way at Worster to see the fine new China Manufactory.”

To Delamain, doubtless, belonged the credit of introducing the use of coal in the manufacture of earthenware, and he deserved the recognition he sought, but did not succeed in obtaining, for his invention from the English Parliament. In 1755 Capt. Delamain received from the Dublin Society a grant or “bounty” of £1,100, which he expended in furthering his manufacture.

Capt. Delamain died on the 10th of January, 1757, and his death is thus curiously recorded in the Belfast News Letter of that period. “Dublin, January 15th:” “Monday last, died, universally lamented by all true lovers of their country, Captain Henry Delamain, formerly in the Duke of Saxe-Gotha’s service, Master of the Irish Delft Ware Manufactory, who, by the expense of a large fortune and unwearied application, brought that ware to such perfection as totally to prevent the enemies of our country, the French, from draining large sums yearly from this country for Burgundy and Roan ware. Mary Delamain, his widow, carries on said manufactory and hopes for the continuance of the friendship of the nobility, gentry, and whole kingdom.” On the 9th of November, 1759, Mrs. Delamain, his widow, petitioned the Irish House of Commons for further assistance to enable her to carry on and extend the business, but nothing seems to have been done for her. Mrs. Delamain, who survived her husband three years, died in March, 1760, her death being recorded in the Dublin Public Gazetteer of that date: “Tuesday last died Mrs. Mary Delamain, widow of the late Captain Henry Delamain, who was the first that brought the earthenware manufacture to perfection in this kingdom; and since his decease his said widow (endowed with all the virtues of a good Christian, tender parent, and sincere friend,) continued it with such advantage to the purchasers as to prevent the further importation of foreign wares,” &c. In 1763 the executors of Mrs. Delamain petitioned the Irish House of Commons for a further grant. The petition contains many interesting particulars, and is as follows:—

“A.D. 1761. 6th November. Geo. III.

“A Petition of Samuel Wilkinson and William Delamain, Esq^res. Executors of Mary Delamain, late of the City of Dublin, Earthen-Ware Manufacturer, was presented to the House and read, Setting forth, That the late Henry Delamain erected a Manufactory for Making of Earthen-Ware in which he discovered the Art of burning with Coal instead of Wood, and brought it to such Perfection as not only to excel any thing of the kind ever attempted in this Kingdom before, but to equal the best Foreign Ware imported: in which he expended his entire Fortune to the amount of £6,000, and upwards, as appeared to a Committee of the late Parliament who were appointed to take his Petition into consideration.

“That in the Session 1753, the House of Commons did grant him £1,000 as an encouragement for carrying on said Manufacture, and the Dublin Society upon Inspection had, and Satisfaction received of his having expended said Bounty in the Improvement of said Manufacture, did in the year 1755 confer a further Bounty on him of £1,100, which sum was also expended with the best Economy, in improving said Manufacture. That on the Decease of said Henry Delamain, his late Widow, Mary Delamain, carried on said Manufacture with Great Success, and declined troubling Parliament in Session 1757, assured that the Manufacture would support itself: but finding that the export of the Ware to Foreign Markets was prevented by the continuance of the War, she, the said Mary, Petitioned in the Session of 1759, praying the further Sanction of Parliament, and Proved the Allegations of her Petition; but in that Session no money was granted to Private Petitions.

“That the Petitioners, since the Decease of said Mary Delamain, have carried on the same Manufacture, for the advantage of the orphans of the said Henry and Mary, in particular, and of the Nation in General, with so much success as to prevent the Import of Foreign Ware, which Annually carried out of this Country above £10,000 to France, and have supplied Dealers in every principal Seaport of this Kingdom. That Petitioners by commencing on a Small Stock are disabled of purchasing Coal and other Materials in the proper Season requisite for carrying on the Work, and lowering the price of the Ware, or employing between 2 and 300 of the poor Natives which the Apparatus is equal to; and on a Peace, of exporting to Foreign Markets about £20,000 worth every year, over and above the Home Consumption; and therefore praying the House to take their Case into Consideration, and to grant such assistance and relief as shall seem meet.

“Referred to a Committee.”[69]

A similar petition appears to have been presented by the same parties on 9th Nov., 1763, and was referred to a Committee, but no votes in either case seem to have been taken.