Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Thomas Wood’s Garden Edgings.—Tiles for garden edgings were in Plot’s time made at Newcastle-under-Lyme, and must have had extensive sale, as the gardens of the better kind were in those days always laid out in “Knots” of more or less elaborate design. Plot, speaking of this branch of manufacture, says: “Also at Newcastle-under-Lyme the Tiles burnt in a Kill, the usual way, being found not to last, one Mr. Thomas Wood, of the same Towne, first contrived to burn them (which we may look upon as an art relating to fire) in a Potter’s Oven, wherein he made them so good and lasting, that notwithstanding they have been put to the hardship of dividing the parts of Garden Knots, to endure not only the perpetual moisture of the earth, but frost, snow, and all sorts of weather; yet they few of them decay, scarce 5 tiles in 500 having failed in 20 yeares time; so that now he has been followed by all the countrey thereabout.”
Newcastle Pottery.—This manufactory was established by Messrs. Harrison & Baker in 1866, for the production of red ware, ebony or jet ware, and terra cotta, as well as ordinary horticultural goods. In red and jet wares the usual useful and ornamental classes of articles are made, and are of average quality. Rockingham ware is also somewhat largely made.
Keys and Mountford.—In the Exhibition of 1851 Messrs. Keys and Mountford exhibited, and received honourable mention for parian statuettes.