Figs. 211 to 214.—Messrs. Minton’s Productions.

It would seem that Mr. Minton had visited Cornwall several times—the first time in 1798, and we are afforded an insight into the difficulty and expense of travelling at that period, by the fact that the cost of each journey was nearly thirty pounds. It seems that Mr. Minton must have got the mines into something like working order during these visits, as an immediate supply of clay and stone was available at the time the Company was formed, and there is proof of this in the following document:—

“I, John Varcoe, farmer, resident in Treloar, of the parish of St. Denis, in the county of Cornwall, have this day agreed with Thomas Minton, of Stoke-upon-Trent, in the county of Stafford, to let to the said Thomas Minton all my right of lower tin bounds in Trelavour Common, for the purpose of the water for washing china clay, so long that Thomas Minton, or his representatives, may carry on the clayworks in Lord Arundel’s lands, or in Hendra Common—but not to hinder any streaming—with privilege of making pools for the use of the works, at the yearly rent of one pound and eleven shillings and sixpence, to commence at Michael. next. As witness our hands the 26th day of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine.

“Signed in the presence of

Charles Bagnall.

James Kent.”

Difficulties of all kinds sprung up. Sometimes the water-courses were obstructed; robbery of all kinds was going on; and there were also the exacting demands of lords of the manor to battle with and satisfy. Bad roads, imperfect machinery and methods of getting the minerals, were other stubborn facts tending to abate “the pleasures of landlordism.” The property was within three miles of St. Austel, but Charlestown was then the port of shipment, and the cost of transit thither in waggons over the wretched roads was 8s. per ton; cost of raising, working, and casking, £1 15s.; and other expenses, raised the value free on board there to £4 15s. Freight from Charlestown to Liverpool 12s., dues 2s. 6d., canal freight to the Potteries, 11s. 6d., and making a moderate allowance for capital invested, the clay could not be delivered at less than £6 15s. per ton.[43] As a trading concern the Hendra Company was not a profitable one; but it afforded the proprietors for twenty years a supply of good and pure material, and checked any attempt at monopoly. The clay mines were abandoned, but as there were good tin lodes on the property, and other minerals, the investment proved not a bad one.

From the first establishment of the Pottery works at Stoke, their success was unbroken, and not only were great advances made in processes of manufacture, but they were so much enlarged, that at the time of Mr. Minton’s death in 1836, they were among the most important in the district. Mr. Minton married, on January 1st, 1789, Miss Sarah Webb, of Bruton Street, London, and by her had a family of four sons, two of whom were the Rev. Thomas Webb Minton and Herbert Minton, and six daughters. After his marriage, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Webb, resided with them, and was a valuable acquisition to him in his business; keeping his books and accounts, and being, in fact, the financial manager of the concern. She received and paid all money, and superintended the entire office arrangements, thus leaving Mr. Minton at liberty to devote his entire time to the manufactory and to the engraving. Mrs. Minton, also, so far as the cares of her home and family would permit, took her share in the business.

Mr. Herbert Minton, the second son, was born at the house erected at the works, at Stoke-upon-Trent, in March, 1792, and when old enough, was, with his brother and sister, sent to a dame-school kept by Miss Cheadle, at the only house, beyond what is now the Queen’s Inn, at that time existing on the Liverpool Road, the remainder being fields and gardens. At that time the Mintons had removed from the house at the Works to one on Talbot Bank (now Hill Street, corner of Commerce Street). Later on, Herbert Minton (as was also his brother) was sent to Audlem Grammar School, under the Rev. Nicholas Breakspear, where he remained until nearly fourteen, when he was placed in his father’s manufactory. In 1808, when only sixteen, he had attained such proficiency in the business that he became traveller and salesman, and represented the house both in London and the provinces; and this he continued till more pressing engagements necessitated his more general attendance at the works.