Bernice Banford, wife of James Banford, china painter, was also employed as a painter, but at her own house or lodgings. She had a somewhat unsteady husband and a family to look after, and seems to have been a great help to them. Here is her first letter, asking for work, showing that she had been employed at Wedgwood’s works in London; and another letter by her, when objection was taken to her being so employed, is given on page 103. “Sir, I beg pardon for addressing you on a Subject which nesessety oblidge’s me to which is to Solicit the favour of a little work in the painting way at home, I was brought up to the business at Mr. Wedgwoods manufactory in London, and flatter my Self I should be able to do the Slightest paterns on China. I would Sir very willinly Contribute any thing towards the Suport of my family, and to assist my Husband to pay Some Debts which we owe in Derby, which if I Should be so happy to obtain Such a favour I Doubt not but we Should be soon able to Effect and do better for our Family than at present. if Sir you would please to take it into Consideration by Permiting me a little work, you would for Ever oblidge, Sir your Hume Sert, Bernice Banford.”
W. Barker, formerly of London, was employed between six and seven years at the Derby Works, and left them in March, 1795.
Richard Barton, the manager at Chelsea (it is he who makes out all the “weekly bills” and receives and pays) was a modeller. In 1773 “Barton, modling 2 small antiquit vauses, £1 1s.”
John Blood was an apprentice at the Derby works, and became a clever painter.
Robert Blore, a late apprentice at the Derby works, afterwards for a time produced on his own account small figures, vases, &c., at a small place in Bridge Gate; he removed into Staffordshire.
Zachariah Boreman, one of the old Chelsea painters, employed by Spremont, and afterwards by Duesbury, and came down to Derby on the closing of those works, was for some time employed. In 1784 he left Derby and returned to London; but about 1794 fresh articles of agreement were entered into, and a supplemental agreement drawn up same day covenanted that “wherever three shillings and sixpence per day occurs in the aforesaid agreement, the words ‘seven shillings’ shall be inserted in Z Boreman’s agreement, when regularly executed on stamps.” He was to employ himself in painting, and in improving the enamel colours, &c. He is said to have died in London in 1810.
R. B. Bowman, of Goswell Street, London, was engaged by articles of agreement, dated May 6th, 1793, to come down to Derby, and agreed to be there in three weeks from the 12th of that month. A week afterwards, however, he begged to have the agreement cancelled, as he had had “a beneficial offer in London, in the engraving branch,” at 30s. a week.
George Bradbury, son of William Bradbury, of Little Chester, Labourer, was bound apprentice on the 10th of March, 1765, for seven years, to “William Duesbury of Derby aforesaid (altered by the pen to “in the said county”) China or Porcelain Maker,” “to learn the Art of Repairing China or Porcelain Ware.” (The indenture is printed on a skin of parchment; the name “William Duesbury, of Derby, China or Porcelain ,” being printed with the rest, and a blank left for writing in “maker,” “painter,” or the like.)
Thomas Brentnall, a flower-painter.
John Brewer, an artist of repute in London, who had previously, as early as 1782, been employed by Mr. Duesbury, was engaged by him in 1795, and removed with his family to Derby. He was engaged to paint figures, animals, landscapes, and flowers by the piece, a schedule of prices being drawn up for that purpose; and to be assured that he should not have less than a guinea and a half a week for the first year, and two guineas afterwards. Until his engagement with Mr. Duesbury he had not painted on china, and therefore had to make himself acquainted with the art after his arrival. Brewer later on gave lessons in drawing in Derby, and in 1811 held an exhibition of his drawings:—