In Mr. Skardon’s possession is a pair of small sauce boats, embossed and painted with birds and flowers in colours; they each bear the name, painted on the bottom, as here shown. In Dr. Ashford’s possession is an example bearing a very similar mark, but in writing letters, thus:—
Mr
W. Cookworthy’s
Factory Plymouth
1770
Another curious example, formerly in the possession of Mr. C. W. Reynolds, bears the word “Plymouth,” the arms of the borough, some illegible letters, and the date “March 14 1768 C F.”
However beautiful and satisfactory the productions of the Plymouth works might be as china, they were not, it would appear, remunerative commercially. The clay and the stone Cookworthy had within easy distance, but his material was difficult and expensive to make, his experiments produced frequent failures and losses, and therefore he was unable to keep pace with other manufactories, and to compete with them. Add to this that he was far from being a young man—being then in his seventieth year—it is not surprising that he should determine on giving up the works, especially when Lord Camelford, who was one of his partners, says between two and three thousand pounds had been sunk in their prosecution.
On the 6th of May, 1774, therefore, William Cookworthy (who, it would appear probable, had already removed the manufacture to Bristol), for considerations set forth in the deed of assignment, sold the business and patent-right to Richard Champion, merchant, of Bristol, who had been connected pecuniarily with the works at Plymouth, and who had previously, “under license from the patentee” (William Cookworthy), commenced the manufacture of china in Bristol, under the style of “W. Cookworthy & Co.,” and they were transferred to that city.[89] Champion appears to have been a connection of Cookworthy’s—a cousin of the latter, Phillip Debell Tuckett, marrying, in August, 1774, a sister of the former (Esther Champion), about the time when the affairs for the transfer of the works were finally completed; and the arrangements appear to have been completed entirely to Cookworthy’s satisfaction. The following letter, highly characteristic of Cookworthy’s style, relates to the settlement of the transfer. Though without date, it evidently was written only a short time prior to the 6th of May, 1774. It is addressed to his cousin, Anna Cookworthy, of Plymouth:—
“Bristol, 4th day, 10 o’clock.
“My Dear Cousin,
“When I wrote my last to thy father, I hoped to have left this city, last second day; but such hath been the nature of the affair which detains me here, that though I have endeavoured, to the utmost of my power, to get it completed, I cannot yet succeed. The attorney assures me that we shall have everything ready by next fifth day; and, if he is as good as his word, we shall finish our matters that evening, or the next day at farthest. And then, if health permits, I shall set out in the machine second day morning, and reach Plymouth on fourth day.[90]
“I am heartily disposed to show every mark of respect to a niece so sincerely and justly esteemed by me; and it hath been one source of anxiety and vexation to me that I have been so long detained here; but there is really a necessity for my closing our affair before I leave this city. When this is done, I shall set my face towards Plymouth with great pleasure. Not that I have any reason to complain of Bristol; for, though I have had the load of important and difficult affairs on my mind, and have gone through a real fit of the gout besides, I have been helped through all in the enjoyment of calm spirits and inward satisfaction.
“I have a budget full of interesting matter for your entertainment at my return. I have not had the least reason to complain of R. Champion’s behaviour; and all my acquaintance at Bristol have shown me much kindness and respect; and, on the whole, my time hath been spent agreeably amongst them, all things considered. For, considering my attention to china-wares, the closing of my business with R. Champion, the settling the lovers’ matters, which were in a much worse situation than we imagined; all this, and the attending meetings, have made the last month the busiest one to me that I have known for many years. But quiet dependence is sufficient to carry us, safely and well, through all those things in which Providence engages us. Let this be an encouragement to my dear niece through every difficulty she may meet with. Let us but determine in all things to do our duty, depending only on Him who is mighty to help, and nothing that can befall us can be hurtful to us. Let us learn to despise the superficial judgment of a world that looks only at things that are seen; which renders all its spacious wisdom foolishness in reality. Let the attainment and possession of a conscience void of offence, regulate us in all our views and pursuits; and let us implore the help of the Great Father, and steadily wait for it, through the whole course of our conduct; and we shall know that blessing which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with it to rest on our hearts and houses.