The Folly Pottery.—Another pottery in Bovey Tracey parish was the “Folly Pottery.” This pottery may be looked upon as the origin of the present Bovey Tracey Pottery. No doubt the site was chosen for its proximity to the main outcrop of the lignite. Considerable uncertainty exists as to the date of this manufacture. It was probably commenced in the last years of the eighteenth or the first years of the nineteenth century by a man of the name of Mead. It was then for a considerable period contemporaneous with the Indio Pottery. The earthenware, however, seems hardly, at any time, to have equalled in quality that of the last-named pottery. In 1835 the works were carried on by Messrs. John and Thomas Honeychurch. It is thus described in an advertisement of sale:—“To be sold by public auction, as directed by the assignees of John and Thomas Honeychurch, bankrupts, at the Union Inn, Bovey Tracey, on the 2nd May, 1836, the Folly Pottery, situate in the parish of Bovey Tracey, in the county of Devon. This may be designated one of the largest and most complete potteries in the West of England, 14 miles from Exeter and 28 from Plymouth; its situation being in the land of clay, from which nearly all the potteries in Staffordshire draw their supply, with coal-mine and railroad, &c.” The advertisement, after giving particulars regarding the processes, &c., speaks of a glost-kiln, and a biscuit-kiln, capable of containing 1,600 saggers of ware; flint kilns; a quantity of Cornish clay and flints, copper-plates, moulds, &c. No purchaser was found until 1842, when the concern was bought by Captain Buller and Mr. J. Divett, and converted into the “Bovey Tracey Pottery Company,” as last described.
Bideford.
Pot works appear to have existed at Bideford ever since the fourteenth century, but nothing beyond the ordinary coarse earthenware has been produced. Nothing is known as to the early history of these works, but fragments of ware of mediæval character have not unfrequently been dug up. An interesting relic, a chimney-pot, is in the possession of Mr. Crocker. It is of square form, and bears the name “Bideford,” and the date “1668.”
The Bideford Old Pottery, belonging to Mr. W. H. Crocker, has been in the possession of himself and his ancestors for more than a century, but of late years its productions, under the present proprietor, have received a marked improvement. The works were almost entirely rebuilt, and much extended, in 1870.
Fig. 734.—Earthenware Ovens.
Ornamental goods are to some extent made, and consist of garden vases, edgings, jugs, and other articles. Flower-pots, sea-kale and rhubarb pots, chimney tops, &c., are also largely made.
The great specialty, however, of the productions are the fire-clay ovens, which are made in considerable numbers and of various sizes. They are of peculiar shape, and so constructed as to retain the heat for a considerable time. Their form may be said, in some measure, to approximate to the old couvre-feu, as will be seen by the engraving (Fig. [734]). The bottom is flat, and the walls, which are of great strength and thickness, are arched, so that the heat is thrown upon the bread in every direction. In front is a loose fire-clay door made to fit with exactness; or, occasionally, a cast-iron door is fixed. These ovens are heated with gorse, or wood, and one bundle of either is said to be sufficient to thoroughly bake three pecks of dough. The ovens are, and for generations have been, in much repute in Devonshire and Cornwall, and in the Welsh districts, and the bread baked in them is said to have a sweeter and more wholesome flavour than when baked in ordinary ovens. They are ornamented in a primitive manner with impressed and incised lines, and the mark used is the proprietor’s name