The beds of clay on this property are as follows:—The principal, or fire-clay, found at a depth of from 10 to 30 yards, is a bed of about 6 feet in thickness, “and is proved to be equal to any bed in the kingdom.” There are also valuable beds of clay for terra-cotta and salt-glazed ware, both above and below the fire-clay: these consist of, first, common marl, generally blue in colour, from 2 to 4 yards in thickness (this is intermixed with small ironstones, round and oval in form); then a thin bed of clunch; next a thin vein of coal or smut, about a foot in thickness, but of little value; then another bed of marl, from 3 to 5 feet, with small pieces of ironstone intermixed, generally kidney-shaped; then the fire-clay, 6 feet; next 1 foot of smut or coal; then a bed of clay called “bottle clay,” good for brown earthenware, of similar character to the Chesterfield and Denby ware, but used by the firm for pipes, from 6 to 9 feet in thickness; then a very hard light-coloured clay, full of silica, which is used for terra-cotta, &c.
Woodville.—Messrs. Barry & Co. manufacture all the usual varieties of glazed stoneware sewerage and drain-pipes.
Wooden Box Pottery.—This manufactory was established by Mr. Thomas Hallam in 1817. Since his time it has been successively worked by Mr. Robinson, Messrs. Harrison and Cash, Messrs. Hallam & Co., and Messrs. Watts and Cash. Its present proprietor is Mr. Thomas Nadin, who manufactures ironstone, cane, buff, and Rockingham wares of the usual kinds and qualities as the other Derbyshire manufactories. No mark is used.
Mount Pleasant Works.—In 1847 the late Mr. John Knowles, of Matlock, established these works for the manufacture of bricks, tiles, fire-clay goods, and terra cotta. These he continued till his death in 1869, when they were carried on by Mrs. Knowles, his widow, till 1871; since that time they have been continued by the trustees of Mrs. Knowles, under the style of “John Knowles & Co.” Besides all the usual classes of bricks, tiles, stove-backs, garden edgings, salt-glazed sanitary and drain-pipes, &c., some highly ornate chimney-tops, and garden vases of good design are made. The firm are also proprietors of crucible and cement fire clays.
Coleorton Pottery.—Established in 1835 by Messrs. Wilson, Lount, and Proudman. On the retiring of the latter partners, the works were carried on by Mr. Thomas Wilson alone, and so continue. The productions are yellow, buff or cane, and Rockingham wares, in which all the usual domestic articles are made. The ware is of more than average excellence in quality. The “buff” is made of a mixture of Devonshire china clay and the local clay found close by the works, from which the yellow ware is made; it is found about nine yards below the surface, underlying a seam of coal. The London and other home markets are supplied. No mark is used.