CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY remarks.-Earliest notices of the district.—British tribe (Cornavii),

—Druid temple, called Bride-stones-Station of Roman troops at Deva (Chester),

Mediolanum (Chesterton).—Routes of Antoninus, Via Devana, or Rykeneld Street,

distinguished from Ikeneld Street.—Erdeswick's notice of Chesterton-Its present

appearance, Roman coins found in the neighbourhood,-Dissertation on Lyme

Woodlands

Page

CHAPTER II.

-

Parliamentary union of towns to form the borough.-Early introduction of the

earthenware manufacture, probably by the Romans, certainly by the Saxons.-

Geographical locality of the borough. — Saxon owners, or governors, Leofric,

Algar;-Notices in Domesday-book,-Edwin and Morcar's revolt.-Robert de

Stafford and his property.-Roads.—Grand Trunk Canal.—Religious condition,—

Mr. Wesley's visits and societies.-Separatists from the Wesleyans,—Various

religious sects.-Education.......

23

CHAPTER III.

Rapid advance of the earthenware manufacture in the 18th century.-Tables of

population at successive periods; also of rated property, dwelling-houses, and

elective franchises.-Earliest notice of Burslem potteries.-The butter-pot.—

Ancient pot-work.-Salt-glazing.-Elers' Samian ware-Their secrets surrep-

titiously obtained.-Introduction of flint and white clays,-White stone-ware;—

Plaster-moulds introduced.-Eminent potters.-Josiah Wedgwood's improve-

ments.-Champion's patent porcelain.-Pulverized flint.-Brindley's mills, and

Wedgwood's machinery for preparing the compound clay.—Modern pot-work.—

Fluctuations of trade. - Wesley's and Franklin's remarks on speculations.

Association of masters for purposes of the trade; Berlin and Milan decrees.-

Dispute with America, 1814.-Political excitements.-Volunteer associations in

1798 and 1803.-Civil government of townships.-Police acts for Burslem and

Hanley.—Parliamentary representation.-New elective franchise.-Elections.—

Popular violence.-Chamber of commerce, or committee of trade.-Combinations

of workmen.-Public institutions.-Newspaper-press

CHAPTER IV.

TUNSTALL. - Local situation, Superficies, &c.-Etymology-Its omission in

Domesday accounted for. - Erdeswick's notice. - Manorial territory. - Barons

Audley, lords of Tunstall.-Origin of Manors.-Fief of the New-Castle.-Sneyd,

and Earls of Bath, joint lords.—Sneyd and Bowyer; finally, Sneyd only.-Tenures

of Estates.-Phythyon of Tunstall.-Suit respecting his garden-place.—Battle of

Blore Heath.-Tunstall Manor Court.-Memoir of the Family of Sneyd,—Also of

Child.-Other landed proprietors.-Enclosure of Town-Fields.

41

69

CHAPTER V.

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Page

TUNSTALL concluded.—Its existing state.-Christ Church.-Value of the living.-

Thomas Child, an old inhabitant.-Enoch Booth.-Anthony Keeling.-Sande-

manian society. - Commencement of modern Tunstall. Police formation.-

Market proprietary.-Court-House.-Establishment of market.-Building society.

-Wesleyan Chapel and Schools.-New Connection Chapel,-Primitive Methodist

Chapel and Schools,-History of the rise of the Primitive Methodists, and their

present position.-China and earthenware manufactories,-Tileries,-Comparative

prices of bricks and tiles,-Chemical works,-Collieries,-Harecastle Tunnels,-

Principal dwelling-houses;-Police arrangements.-Supply of water,-Highways,

repairs, President Bradshaw's opinion.-Friendly societies.-Charitable donations.

-Wake.-Public-houses,-Professional persons.-Electors on the county register 89

CHAPTER VI.

WOLSTANTON. The parish and vicarage,—Vivian, of Stoke, first vicar.—Advowson

given by Henry III. to his son Edmund, with Newcastle.-King Edward I. calls

the title in question,-Rector, Nicholas de Audley.-Pope Nicholas's valor.-

Subsequent patronage of the church, granted by Queen Elizabeth to Sir W.

Sneyd.-Revenue in time of Henry VIII.-Recent commutation of tithes, and

present revenues.-Etymology of Wolstanton.-History of St. Wolstan,—His

supposed ancestry at Dimsdale.-The church described-Monuments in the chancel

-Elegant one of Sir W. Sneyd.-Marriages registered in Cromwell's time.-New

Marriage Act,-Parochial divisions and expenditure.—Union with Burslem.—

Ancient parochial notice.-Coins found at Golden Hill, in Vill of Oldcott.-The

several hamlets and parts described: viz., Wolstanton, Knutton, Chesterton, Red

Street, Pottery and Glass-House, Apedale Furnace and Hall, Chatterley, Bradwell,

Dimsdale, Chell, Oldcott, Golden-Hill, Ranscliff, Brieryhurst, Kidsgrove Col-

lieries, Church, and School, Harecastle Tunnels, Mow-Cop, Stadmoreslow, Harri-

seyhead, Thursfield, Newchapel, Grammar-School, Wedgwood.-Observations on

rural names. Increased value of property.-Election statistics

CHAPTER VII.

THE AUDLEY FAMILY.-Henry de Audley, founder of Helegh Castle and Hulton

Abbey.-Times he lived in.—Royal confirmation of his estates.—Lineage.—Intro-

duction of family names. His wife.-His offices under Henry III.—His death.-

James de Audley (son of Henry), his dignity, &c. —His accidental death.—His

issue.-Nicholas, first Baron Audley.-Thomas, second Baron.-Nicholas, third

Baron.-James, fourth Baron.-The ward of Roger Mortimer, whose daughter he

marries -Heroism at Poictiers.-Nicholas, fifth Baron, last of the male line.-Sir

John Touchet, sixth Baron, a warrior under Henry IV.-James, seventh Baron,-

Killed at Blore Heath.-John, eighth Baron.-James, ninth Baron, rebels, and

is beheaded.-John, tenth Baron.-George, eleventh Baron.-Henry, twelfth

Baron.-George, thirteenth Baron, created Earl of Castlehaven, wasted his

estates. Subsequent fortunes and decay of the house.-Reflections.—Catalogue

of the Staffordshire estates.-Family pedigree

....

CHAPTER VIII.

BURSLEM.-BROWNHILLS.-Situation of Brownhills.-John Burslem, ancient

proprietor. Subsequent ownership. - Improvements by John Wood, Esq.- His

family connections.-Grand Trunk Canal commenced here.-Brownhills Villa.-

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135

Page

Messrs. Haywood's Tileries, &c.-Potworks, and other notices of Brownhills.-

LONGPORT,-Its situation,-Former condition.-Limits defined.-First manufac-

tories.-Messrs. Davenport's establishments for china, glass, &c.-Royal visit to

Longport in 1806.-Porcelain service for coronation of King William IV.—Mr.

Davenport's family.-Longport volunteers.-Other manufactories.-Wharfs.-

Principal houses. - Line of intended railway. - Biography of Brindley, the

engineer. His family connections.-Hugh Henshall, Esq.-The Messrs. William-

son.-Greenway Bank-Knypersley.—John Bateman, Esq.-Curious subsidy roll 151

CHAPTER IX.

BURSLEM continued.-Manorial History of Burslem,-Domesday entry.-Part of

the barony of Stafford.-Orthography and etymology of Burslem.-Local sur-

names, how derived.-Biography of John Burslem, of Dale-Hall.- Extraordinary

prosecution against him.—Inventory of his effects at his decease.—His descendants

and family pedigree.—Gilbert Wedgwood and William Colclough (husbands of

the co-heiresses of Burslem).—Account of the Wedgwood family.—Their pedi-

gree. Introduction of the manufacture of earthenware at Burslem. — The ✔

Tilewright's art. Family of Telwright.-Township of Burslem.-Tenure of

Lands.-Principal proprietors

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183

CHAPTER X.

BURSLEM continued.-The Hamlet of SNEYD not noticed in Domesday, probably

included in Chell.-Remarks on its Etymology.-Sneyd farm.-Lord Parker's

drainage of mines.-Landed proprietors in Sneyd.-The Hamil.-Public bath.

-Dr. Plott's account of mineral waters.-Isolated portions of Sneyd.-The

parish of Burslem an ancient chapelry of Stoke.-Supposed foundation of the

chapel by Barons Stafford.-Exemptions from Tithes, &c.-Office of church-

warden.-Tithe composition.-Strictness of a former incumbent. - Parochial

expenditure, 1705-6 & 1836.-The plague at Burslem, 1647; neighbouring

parishes taxed in aid.-Parish registers from 1636 to 1838.-Observations on the

new acts for marriages and registrations. - Parish-church of Burslem. Miss

Leigh's tomb, and tradition thereon.-Ancient stone-coffin, &c.-Endowment of

the Rectory.-Parsonage-house; advowson of the Church.-Rectors.-A "Burs-

lem dialogue," exemplifying the provincial dialect, and commemorating some

curious facts and traditions....

207

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CHAPTER XI.

1

BURSLEM Continued. Introductory observations. Burslem formerly a small

village. State and population about 1750.-Potters about that time.-Depen-

dence on Newcastle.-Erection of the market-hall.-Origin of the market.-

Management thereof.-Appointment of fresh trustees.-First turnpike-road.-

Canal and Branch. - Progressive improvements.-Waterloo-Road.-Moorland-

Road. -Loyal manifestations.-Peace Festival, 1814.- Political bearing. — Old

free-school.-Wesleyan Sunday-school.-Management thereof.-Opposition of the

preachers, &c.-Disputes with the teachers.-Their expulsion and secession.-

New school-room or chapel.-Reflections.-National school.-Church and other

Sunday-schools.-Dissenters' chapels; viz., Wesleyan, Bethel, Zoar, Independents,

Primitives, Baptists.-Erection of St. Paul's church.-Description thereof.-

Monuments. Cemetery.-Engraved view of the church.-Incumbents.- Market

and police act.-Qualifications and powers of Trustees and Commissioners.-Chief

constable.-Rates.-Annual meetings.-List of chief constables.-Improvements

of town.-View of new market-house.-Cost thereof.-Description.-Income of

market.-Rate of tolls.-Annual fairs

CHAPTER XII.

Page

..

233

BURSLEM concluded.—Manufacturing establishments.—Enoch Wood and Sons.—

Memoir of Mr. Wood, sen.-His museum of fictile rarieties.-Bust of John

Wesley, and anecdote thereon.-Mr. Wood's patent for raising water.-Samuel

Alcock and Co.'s extensive china works.-Machin and Potts.-Their improve-

ments, and patent inventions.-Other manufacturers.-Chemical and colour

works.—Principal dwelling-houses.—Banking establishments.—Professional per-

sons. Gas works.-Supply of water.-Highways.-Benevolent institutions.-

Burslem wake.-Charitable gifts.-Workhouse.-Parochial expenditure.-Inns

and beer-houses.-Registered voters

-

CHAPTER XIII.

......

Cobridge and ABBEY-HULTON.-Situation of Cobridge.-Hamlet of Rushton.-

Etymologies. Domesday notice of Hulton and Rushton. - Pope Nicholas's

Survey.-Estimate of the comparative value of land.-Purchase of Rushton

Grange by R. Biddulph, Esq.—Notices of the family of Biddulph.-Pedigree.—

Rushton tithe-free.-The Old Grange.-Roman Catholic chapel.-Royal art of

healing.-Landed proprietors. Family of Warburton.-Sneyd Green. -Hot-

Lane.- New church.-Dissenters' Chapels.-School-house.-Charities.-Manu-

facturers. — Dwelling-houses. — Highways. — Population. - Vignette of the Old

Grange.-ABBEY-HULTON.-Ancient history. -Cistercian monastery. — Ac-

count of that order.—Their possessions.—Abbey surrendered.—Names of Abbot

and Monks. Remains of the Abbey.-Milton.-Notice of the manor and parish

of Norton in the Moors

-

-

-

259

273

CHAPTER XIV.

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME.-Manorial territory.-Erection of the castle.-The

Earls of Chester constables.-State in King John's reign.-His visit to Newcastle.-

The main structure.-The Donjon Tower.-Leland's account.-Randle de Blun-

deville. Surrender of King Henry III.-Fiefs under Newcastle from Testa de

Neville.-Queen Eleanor's dowry.-Charter to the borough.-Barons' wars.-

Simon de Montfort.-Battle of Evesham.-Grant to Edmund Earl of Lancaster.-

Quo Warranto against him.-Succeeding earls.-Origin of the town.-The church.

-Friary.-Subsidy in 1340.-Surrender of the Borough by the corporation to the

Earl of Lancaster.-Manorial history continued.-John of Gaunt.-Memoirs of

him and his queen.-Tutbury Castle.- Sports there.-Succession of King Henry

IV.-Events during the 14th and 15th centuries. -Description of the castle from

an old MS.-Concluding remarks

CHAPTER XV.

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME continued.—Tenure of lands.-Remarks on slavery.

-Origin of copyholds.-Services reserved-commutation for money.-Changes

in villenage tenures.-Origin and designation of copyholds.-The King's copy-

holders. Incidents of villenage.-Decline of the system.-Transition state.-

Disputed customs in the manor of Whitmore.-Ancient rigour and gradual

extinction of villenage.-Copyholds in Newcastle. Rights of the crown.-Suit

297

CONTENTS.

respecting them.—Composition and decree.—Customs and copyhold rights decreed

-Schedule of copyholds.-Demesne lands.-Crown rents.-Presentment of cus-

toms.- Probable enfranchisement.-Grantees of the Castle, Pool, Manor, Mines, &c.

-Sale of demesne lands.—Mineral rights.-Number of copyholders.-Stewards

of the manor

....

xiii

Page

312

CHAPTER XVI.

HANLEY.-Manor of Hanley, a fief of Newcastle.-William de Hanley ancient lord.-

Sir Thomas Colclough in 1615.-Account of the family of Colclough.-Their Pedi-

gree.-Peculiarities of this manor.-Disquisition respecting manorial rights.-

Ownership of the mines.-Family of Bagnall afterwards lords.-Their pedigree.-

Ancient condition of Hanley.-Leases by the lords of waste lands.-Freehold and

copyhold properties.-Building of the first chapel.-Mr. John Bourne principal

contributor.-Rev. John Middleton first incumbent.-His biography.-Act for

erecting the present church.-Registers and monuments.-Purchase of Parson-

age-house. Present incumbency. Rise and establishment of the market.-

Original market hall.-Subsequent improvement and present condition of the

market.-Repairs of the highways.-Landed proprietors
... 337

CHAPTER XVII.

HANLEY AND SHELTON, one connected town. - Potters of past days.-Mock

Mayor's Feast.-Drinking parties.-Amusements.-The rough fleet.-Police Acts.

-Chief bailiffs.-Public meetings -Manufacturing establishments; viz the Old

Hall, the New Hall, and other firms.-Messrs. Fourdrinier's paper-mill.-Water-

works of John Smith, Esq.-Wood-Wall Well.-Iron foundries.-Furnaces of Earl

Granville-Birtish Gas Company.-Silk-mill.-Flint and colour-mills.-Cobalt

merchants and refiners. Engravers and artists. - Banking establishments.—

Private dwelling-houses.-Mr. C. Meigh's picture-gallery-Professional persons.. 365

-

CHAPTER XVIII.

-

HANLEY AND SHELTON continued.-Public wharfs.-Junction of the Caldon canal

with the Grand Trunk.-Estimate of traffic.-Table of freight.-North Stafford-

shire Infirmary. - Pottery races. - Mechanics' Institution. - Savings' Bank.-

Hanley and Shelton National Schools.-The British School.-Bethesda Chapel,

Schools, and Library.-The Methodist New Connexion.-Their other Chapels and

Schools.-Wesleyan Methodist Chapels and Schools.-Independents.-Baptists.

-Primitive Methodists.-Table of churches, chapels, and schools. -Influence

of the Dissenting bodies.-Miscellaneous notices.....

CHAPTER XIX.

SHELTON, identified with the Manor of Newcastle.-Area of the Township.-Copyhold

tenure,-Bell's Mill an exception.-Tradition thereon.-Family of Bell.-Ancient

village.-Old Hall, the seat of the Fenton family.-Biography of Elijah Fenton,

the poet.-Fac-simile of a letter of Alexander Pope.-Pedigree of the family of

Fenton.-Account of the family of Twemlow, and pedigree.-Erection of St.

Mark's church.-Description thereof.-Future rectory.-Schools adjacent.-Landed

and other proprietors in Shelton

387

409

CHAPTER XX.

ETRURIA. Remarks introductory to the biography of Josiah Wedgwood,―His birth,

-Parentage,-Early employment, -Experiments in the potter's art,-Partnerships