Fig. 367.—The Bell Works, Burslem.
At these “Bell Works” Josiah Wedgwood turned his attention more especially to the production of the fine and delicate descriptions of earthenware which soon earned for him the proud distinction of “Queen’s Potter.”
The Bell Works were situated at the corner of Brick House Street and Queen Street, very near to the new Wedgwood Institution, but in the time of Josiah Wedgwood, Brick House Street was not formed, but was a part of the ground belonging to the manufactory, and was, indeed, waste land, covered with “shard rucks,” and other unmistakable evidence of the potter’s art. Queen Street then, too, was little better than a lane, but was dignified with the name of Queen Street, through Wedgwood being there appointed Queen’s potter, and there making his celebrated Queen’s ware.
Red Lion Works.—These were carried on by Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, and took their name from their contiguity to the Red Lion Inn.
Big House.—The pottery adjoining this house, at the corner of Wedgwood Street and the Market Place, passing down Swan Square, belonged to Thomas and John Wedgwood; the works have long ceased to be used, and are converted into builder’s premises.
The Ivy House and works, so called from the fact of the house being covered with ivy, was situated where the butchers’ shambles now stand, the old buildings having been purchased by the market commissioners, and taken down for the erection of the present market in 1835. These premises belonged to Thomas and John Wedgwood, of the “Big House,” to whom Josiah became tenant, covenanting by written agreement to pay for the house and the potwork attached to it the yearly rent of ten pounds. The “Ivy House” and works were situated nearly in the centre of Burslem, at the corner of what was then known as Shoe Lane, or Shore Lane, now called Wedgwood Street, which at that time was a narrow way, only wide enough for a single cart to pass along, and as rough and uneven as well could be. The visitor to Burslem who desires to know exactly the site of this historically interesting house, should stroll up to the fine modern-built shambles, or “butchery” as it is sometimes called, and while he stands at the corner facing down Swan Square, he may rest assured that he is standing on what was the little enclosed garden in front of Wedgwood’s house; that the outer wall of the building at his back goes diagonally across the house from corner to corner, one half being under the shambles and the other where the street now is; that the site of one of the kilns is just beneath the centre of the shambles; and that another kiln was about the middle of the present street at his back; the surrounding workshops being partly where the street now is and partly where the building at present stands.