William Adams was an apprentice to Josiah Wedgwood, and was a great favourite with him. He commenced business for himself at Tunstall, and there produced some fine works of art in jasper and other wares. He died quite in the beginning of the present century, and was, I have heard, succeeded in the Tunstall business by his son Benjamin Adams. Occasionally the name ADAMS, or W. ADAMS & SON, is met with.
“About 1800,” according to Shaw, “Mr. Benjamin Adams, of Tunstall, was successful in the manufacture of jasper” in imitation of, though not equal to, that of Wedgwood.
Newfield Works.—These were occupied in 1857 by the father of the members of the firm whose works have just been spoken of, and are now carried on by Mr. William Adams. The goods are of a similar excellent character and are produced for the same markets, with the addition of Australia and Cape of Good Hope. An extensive business is done with the United States, especially in Philadelphia and Baltimore (see [Child]).
George Street Pottery, established 1862.—At these works Mr. W. Holdcroft (formerly Holdcroft & Wood) manufactures all kinds of earthenware dinner, toilet, tea, and other services, and the usual varieties of useful articles. Jugs are produced in immense quantities and of great variety, both in form and in styles of ornamentation, as is also every variety of goods. Even in the commoner classes a better style of decoration is observable in the productions of this manufactory than in many others. The styles of ornamentation are hand painting, transfer printing, ground colours, lustre-glazes, &c. The markets produced for are both home and foreign, and the general classes of goods are what may be called generally commercial. Connected with these works is the highly interesting fact that Mr. Holdcroft was the first to introduce the down-draught system of firing into the potteries, which has effected a great saving in fuel and a freedom from smoke. Mr. Wood was great-nephew of one of the most celebrated men of the district—the late Enoch Wood—and is now a partner in the firm of Poole, Stanway, & Wood, of Stoke.
Phœnix Works.—These works were built in the last century by Anthony Keeling, one of the eminent potters of the district in the “olden days,” and of whom a notice has already been given (page 424). He married Ann Booth, daughter of the celebrated Enoch Booth, to whose business he succeeded. At the commencement of the present century he was the principal manufacturer in Tunstall, but was unsuccessful and retired on a small independence in 1810. He was succeeded by Mr. Thomas Goodfellow, who made considerable additions to the establishment. They afterwards passed into the hands of Mr. Bridgwood, by whom (being, later on, joined in partnership by Mr. Edward Clarke) they were carried on under the style of “Bridgwood & Clarke.” Mr. Bridgwood dying in 1864, Mr. Clarke, whose large practical experience had added much to the already extensive transactions of the establishment, became sole proprietor, and carried on the concern until 1877, when he removed to the New Bridge Works at Longport, which see. Mr. Clarke produced “white granite” (porcelain opaque) in immense quantities and of the very best quality, for the American markets, where it successfully competed with “French porcelain;” artists’ palettes, tiles, slabs, saucers, &c., were also made in large quantities, and possessing all the requirements of hardness, evenness, and durability of glaze, are much esteemed. Finger plates and door furniture of every variety, both in black in white and in ivory coloured body, and plain or variously decorated, were also produced in large quantities. In ivory body, in white, and in brown, Mr. Clarke manufactured, very largely, castor bowls, which are used on legs of tables, chairs, sofas, &c., and on other varieties of furniture which require constant moving. Mr. Clarke also for many years carried on the “Churchyard Works” at Burslem, of which a lengthy notice is given on page 244. The marks used were EDWARD CLARKE, impressed on the body of the ware, and the royal arms, with supporters, garter, motto, &c., above a flowing ribbon on which are the words “EDWARD CLARKE, PORCELAIN OPAQUE,” and, beneath, TUNSTALL (see [Enoch Booth]).
Lion Works, Sandyford.—These works were commenced for goods for the home trade by James Beech in 1838, and afterwards passed into the hands of Thomas Walker, who made South American goods, and next, in 1856, to Broughton & Mayer, whose productions were for the United States. In 1862 the present firm, “Ford & Challinor,” became proprietors, and have continued the manufacture of general earthenware for the home and foreign markets.