Ranelagh Works.—Established in 1846 by Mr. Stephenson, these works were next occupied by Mr. James Oldham, next by Oldham & Co., then by Mr. T. R. Hinde, and next Hollinshed & Staner. The productions are the commoner classes of earthenware and stone ware, in which all the usual services and general articles are made. No mark is used.
Swan Works, Elm Street, established in 1835 by Samuel Bevington as Parian works, and afterwards carried on by his son, John Bevington, passed in 1866 into the hands of Messrs. W. L. Evans & Co., and in 1871 to Neale, Harrison & Co., who gave up the manufacturing and confined themselves to decoration only; they were succeeded by Mr. T. R. Simpson.
Mayer Street Works, established in 1864, by Mr. E. Hodgkinson, for the manufacture of mosaic stone ware, Parian, and pearl-white granite wares. In 1871 Mr. Hodgkinson was succeeded by Mr. W. E. Cartledge.
Brook Street Works.—Messrs. Worthington & Son produce earthenware and stoneware, both for home and foreign markets.
Dresden Works, Tinkersclough.—In 1843 Edward Raby produced at these works china ornaments with raised or “Dresden” flowers, hence the name. From 1852 until 1864 they were carried on by Messrs. John Worthington and William Harrop; from that time till 1873, by Thomas Worthington and William Harrop; and from that time to the present by William Harrop alone. The productions are the cheaper classes of Parian goods, and fancy jugs in stone ware and ordinary earthenware, of good middle-class quality, all of which are supplied both to the home and American markets. No mark is used.
The works are situated at what is called “Tinkersclough,”—a place whose name is said to be “derived from the fact of its being frequented in the olden times as a place of rendezvous by Gipsies and travelling tinkers.”