The Foley China Works were built in 1860 by the late Mr. Henry Wileman, the owner of the Foley Potteries. At his death, in 1864, they were continued by his sons, Messrs. J. & C. Wileman, till 1867, when the partnership was dissolved, the latter (Mr. C. J. Wileman) continuing the china, and the former the earthenware works. In 1870 Mr. C. J. Wileman retired, and his brother then became proprietor of both manufactories, and shortly afterwards took into partnership Mr. J. B. Shelley, the firm being styled Wileman & Co. The china produced is of the ordinary useful class for household purposes.
King Street Works.—These works were established in the latter part of last century by Mr. Shelley, who was succeeded by Mr. Marsh, from whom they passed to Messrs. T. & J. Carey. The productions of these firms were the ordinary Rockingham ware and common classes of earthenware; Messrs. Carey also occupying two other manufactories at Longton. They were next held by a company, and about 1850 passed into the hands of the present proprietor, Mr. John Edwards. The goods now produced are semi-porcelain and white granite for the American markets. Until 1856 Mr. Edwards produced china in addition, but this has since then been discontinued. Mr. Edwards is patentee of a process for making thimble pins; and he also, in 1859, took out a patent for “improvements in stacking or holding biscuit, earthen, china, and glossed ware for firing” by means of “a ring frame or holder, with a rim or flange projecting inwardly, so as to occupy the whole or part of the centre of the ring.”
Heath.—Thomas Heath was a potter in Lane Delph in 1710, and produced a good hard grey-coloured ware. His three daughters married three potters, Palmer and Neale, of Hanley, and Pratt of Fenton. Heath was an enterprising potter, and was successful in making the coated or delft ware, same as made by Astbury.
Bacchus.—Thomas Bacchus, who, according to Shaw, married first a widow named Astbury, manufactured cream-coloured and blue painted ware; his second wife being a skilled painter, his late productions were of a more superior character.
William Meir had pot works at Fenton in the middle of last century, which he rented from Whieldon, as the following entry in his book shows: “Mr. Wm. Meir, of Fenton Low, for a house and pottworks & 3 small closes, March 25, 1750, a year’s Rent due—£14—10—0.” Whieldon at that time owned much land about Fenton, and Fenton Hall seems also to have belonged to him. This he let to Ralph Woolf, at a yearly rental of £4; the “New House in Lower Lane” being at the same time let to Thos. Woolf for £2 2s. a year. Fenton Hall was afterwards, in 1750, let at the same rent to Wm. Marsh and Wm. Kent; it was afterwards divided.