William Smith, who had on the 28th October, 1773, been bound apprentice to his father, Constantine Smith, to learn “the art of preparing colours, and Painting and Enameling Porcelain,” agreed with Mr. Duesbury, to whom he had “finished his time,” and been since employed, in 1790, to employ himself “in preparing enamel colours, painting china, or otherwise at the discretion of Mr. Duesbury.” Up to this time he had been receiving a guinea a week, but on the signing of this fresh agreement Duesbury was to pay him £10 down, and to raise his wages to 25s.
Joseph Smith was a landscape painter; he had 7s. a dozen for painting teas No. 115 in 1792.
William Smith, son of Hannah Smith, of Derby, agreed “to make colours for painting on china or porcelain ware,” and by covenant entered into on the 23rd of November, 1778, agreed as follows:—“I do hereby promise to pay to my mother, Hannah Smith, weekly, and every week, out of the wages I may get under Messrs Duesbury & Co., the sum of eighteen shillings, to commence from this date and expire the 28th October, 1780. Witness my hand, this 23d Novr 1778.—W. Smith.”
Thomas Soare was an apprentice to Duesbury, and afterwards employed by him. He was son of —— Soare, of Little Chester, and was a clever gilder and arabesque painter. After leaving the China Works, Thomas Soare commenced, in 1810, a small business on his own account. The following is his advertisement, copied from the “Derby Mercury” of April 5th, 1810:—“Enamelled China.—Thomas Soare, with the greatest respect, begs to inform the Nobility, Gentry, and Public at large that he enamels Dessert, Breakfast, and Tea Services with Arms, Crests, Cyphers, &c., in the most elegant manner and on the most reasonable terms. His long experience in the Derby Porcelain Manufactory encourages him to look with confidence for support, which it will be his study to deserve and his pride to acknowledge. N.B.—Ladies instructed to Paint china at their own apartments, on reasonable terms. Navigation Row, near St. Mary’s Bridge, Derby.”
Thomas Southall, “son of Humphrey Southall, of the Borough of Derby, Pincher,” was apprenticed on the 25th of December (Christmas Day) 1772, for seven years “to learn the Art of Painting upon China or Porcelain Ware.”
J. Stables, a clever gilder, was employed for very many years.
John Stanesby, a flower painter in the latter days of the works.
Thomas Steele, one of the later and more celebrated painters of flowers and fruit, in the latter of which he excelled. He died in 1850, in his 79th year. Three of his sons, Edwin, Horatio, and Thomas, were apprenticed at the works.
Martin Stephens, then of Duke Street, St. James’s, London, signed articles of agreement in 1794.
Francis Stone, a skilled workman, was employed at all events from 1770 to 1772, and probably much longer.