Chapter III (4)

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. “S^{IR}, 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 S^{ir} 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 S^{ir} you
would please to take it into Consideration by Permiting me a
little work, you would for Ever oblidge, S^{ir} 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 1_s._”

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 30_s._ 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:--

“Mr. Brewer most respectfully informs the Nobility, Gentry,
Clergy, and others in Derby and its vicinity, that he has
arranged for their inspection his Specimens of Water-colour
Paintings as an Exhibition, consisting of more than two
hundred different Subjects, many of them quite new, and the
whole designed and painted by himself, which he hopes during
the interval of time not given to the festival will afford an
agreeable change of amusement. May be viewed from 8 in the
morning until dark at his house near St. Mary’s Bridge, Bridge
Gate, Derby. Admittance--Ladies and Gentlemen 1s., Children half
price. Mr. Brewer’s pupils free, also purchasers of Drawings.”

_Finished from April 29th._
2 Coffee cans and stands, Shipping N 1
6 Plates of plants 2
4 Comports of Landscapes 3
6 Comports of plants 4
2 Comports of plants 5
2 Coffee Cans Moonlight and fire 6
2 Coffee Cans and stands Birds 7
2 Tea pots Landscapes from Gilpin 8
1 Dejuneé of Birds 9
20 Plates of Rose border 10
1 Cream jug of Birds 11
1 Sugar bason Do. 12
2 Cabinet cups 1st and 2d Lesson of Love 13
12 Coffee cups of Landscapes 14
12 Plates of Landscapes 15
3 Comports Do. 16
1 Tea pot of Birds 17
--
83 Pieces to Sept^{br}. 8th.

_In hand._
2 Comports of plants.
4 Plates of do.
4 Coffee Cans of flowers.
1 Dejuneé of Ships.
1 Comport of Landscape, finished.
1 Cream jug Birds
1 Tea pot Do.
12 Saucers Landscapes.
2 Cans shipping.
1 Cream jug Do.
1 Sugar Bason Do.
--
30 Sept. 8th.

JN_o. BREWER.

ROBERT BREWER is stated to have been a brother to John Brewer.
He was a pupil of Paul Sanby. On leaving the Derby works he
commenced practising as a drawing master, and died in 1857.

BENJAMIN BROCKLESBY, son of John Brocklesby, of Derby, labourer,
was apprenticed, for seven years, on the 16th of September,
1783, to learn “the Art or Business of Painting Porcelain or
China Ware.” On the 24th of August, 1787 (Mr. Duesbury, to
whom he had been apprenticed, having died on the 30th October,
1786) he absconded, and on the 13th January, 1789, a warrant
was issued for his apprehension, and endorsed to be executed in
Middlesex and Westminster.

GEORGE BROUGHTON, a painter.

THOMAS BROUGHTON, painter, 1776.

JOSEPH BULLOCK, son of Joseph Bullock, of the borough of Derby,
Framework Knitter, was bound apprentice on the 23rd September,
1765, by the same printed indentures “to learn the Art of
Painting upon China or Porcelain ware.”

SEBASTIAN CLAIS, a Frenchman, was employed as a painter about
1772–9.

JAMES CLARKE, a painter and gilder, was apprenticed, and for
nearly 30 years remained, at the works.

WILLIAM CLEAVEY was also an apprentice, and became a
flower-painter.

GEORGE COCKER, born in Derby in 1794, was apprenticed at the
Derby Works about 1808, as a figure maker, and continued to work
there till 1817, when he removed to Coalport, where he is said
to have been much employed in making raised flowers. He next, in
connection with two partners, also workmen, commenced a small
manufactory at Jackfield, which, however, was closed in a few
months. He then got employment at the Worcester works, and in
1821 returned to Derby and again worked at the Derby China Works
till 1826. In that year he left, and in partnership with another
of the “hands,” Thomas Whitaker, commenced a china manufactory
in Friar Gate, Derby, under the style of “Cocker and Whitaker.”
The following is the announcement of the opening of these
works:--

“DERBY.--NEW CHINA WORKS, _For the Manufacture of Porcelain
Figures, Ornaments, &c._--MESSRS. COCKER and WHITAKER beg
most respectfully to inform the nobility, gentry, and the
public, that they have commenced the above business in FRIAR
GATE, DERBY, where they manufacture, and have now ready for
inspection, and sale, a numerous assortment of Goods in Biscuit
and Enamel, such as they hope will be found not inferior to
anything of the kind at present produced in this kingdom.

“Messrs. C. and W. have also a variety of TEA and DESSERT
SERVICES of modern and approved patterns; and by arrangements
already made, and a strict attention to the orders with which
they may be favoured, they hope to obtain the honor of that
patronage they now venture to solicit, and which it will ever be
their most earnest endeavour to merit.

“N.B.--Ladies or Gentlemen may have Figures, Ornaments, &c.
executed from models or drawings of their own.

“Friar Gate, Derby, Feb. 28, 1826.”

Their place of business was at the bottom of Friar Gate, near
St. Werburgh’s church; Cocker living on the opposite side of
the street, a little higher up, where he erected a kiln and
all the necessary appliances. The business, however, did not
answer well; the partnership with Whitaker was terminated;
and in 1840 Cocker removed with his family to London. Here,
in Chenies Street, Tottenham Court Road, he carried on his
business of china figure making, and had a small shop in
Regent’s Quadrant for their sale. This again not answering, he,
in 1853, obtained an engagement with Messrs. Minton and removed
to Stoke-upon-Trent, where he died, at the age of 74, in 1868,
His figures and busts, of which he produced a goodly variety,
were of small size, and were produced both in biscuit and
painted. They were very clever and meritorious. He also made,
rather extensively, as they met a ready sale, small baskets
of beautifully-formed raised flowers; and brooches and other
trinkets in the same way. In these he was assisted by his sons,
daughters, and nephew. Groups of animals were also produced.

GEORGE COMPLIN was one of the most noted painters at the works,
many of his landscapes being of high character. He must have
been an old man in 1794, for in one of his letters (Sept. 18) of
that year he says, “I think my hair admits of more respect.” In
the same letter he speaks of his employment, “the variety I do,
and the variableness of the work.”

WILLIAM COOPER was a clever flower painter, 1770–76.

WILLIAM COOPER, son of Sarah Cooper, of Derby, was apprenticed
for seven years on the 1st of January, 1777, to learn the “Art
of Painting upon China or Porcelain Ware.” His father also,
I believe, had been employed at the works about 1770, to his
death, in 1776.

WILLIAM CORDEN, born at Ashbourne, 28th Nov. 1797, and was
apprenticed to the Derby China Works in 1811. He remained some
time after the conclusion of his apprenticeship, and then
commenced as a miniature and portrait painter. In 1829 he was
employed in painting portraits at Windsor Castle, and from that
time continued to receive royal commissions. In 1843 he was
employed to paint by the Queen, and in the following year was
sent by the Prince Consort to the Castle of Rosenau, in Coburg,
to copy family portraits for him. He died at Nottingham, 18th
June 1867. A workman named Corden was also connected with the
Liverpool pot-works.

WILLIAM COTTON, a painter of landscapes and rural scenes, in the
early part of this century.

WILLIAM CRESSWELL, a flower-painter.

J. DEARE was a modeller of considerable note, in London, and was
employed by Duesbury to model various groups and figures in 1784.

WILLIAM DEXTER, a fruit, flower, and bird painter; became a
noted enamel painter and draughtsman. He died in 1860, and
his wife--Mrs. Dexter--was the celebrated costume lecturer on
“Bloomerism.”

RICHARD DODSON, a clever painter of birds, was the son of
William Dodson, one of the late foremen.

WILLIAM DIXON, a painter of humorous figure subjects.

JOHN DUESBURY, overlooker and private timekeeper.

ELIN was a painter and gilder from 1786 to 1795.

J. FARNSWORTH was an apprentice, and remained when out of his
time. He died in 1822.

JOHN FROST, son of William Frost, of Nottingham, was bound
apprentice to Edward Phillips, “China or Porcelain Painter,”
on the 16th of April, for seven years, “to learn the art of
Painting upon Porcelain ware,” and on the 25th of February
in the following year (1771) he was transferred, by fresh
indenture, to Mr. Duesbury.

WILLIAM GADSBY, of Little Chester, mould maker, bound himself
by agreement, dated September 2, 1772, for four years (“in the
Art of Making Molds”), at ten shillings per week; Mr. Duesbury,
in addition, agreeing “to give William Gadsby a Waggon Load of
Coals at the end of every year.”

WILLIAM HALL, a flower-painter.

JOHN HANCOCK, son of George Hancock, of Derby, was bound
apprentice for seven years, on the 29th of September, 1769,
“to learn the Art of Painting upon China or Porcelain or China
Ware;” to receive 1_s._ 6_d._ a week for the first year, 2_s._
for the second, 2_s._ 6_d._ for the third, 3_s._ for the fourth,
4_s._ for the fifth, 5_s._ for the sixth, and 6_s._ for the
seventh year. He became a very clever and successful flower
painter. From Derby he is said to have gone to Swansea for
a time, and from thence to have removed into Staffordshire.
In 1786–7, he was settled at Hanley, where he seems to have
remained many years, and occasionally supplied Mr. Duesbury
with enamel colours. He had a brother (probably George Hancock)
working for Mr. Duesbury in 1790. To him is due the invention
of gold, silver, and steel lustre, which, according to his own
account, written when at the age of 89, he first put in practice
at Spode’s manufactory. After working at many places--Spode’s,
Turner’s, and others--Hancock, about 1816, was engaged by
Messrs. Wedgwood as colour-maker and manager of one of the
departments of their works. He died in 1847, in the 90th year
of his age. Some receipts of his and of Aaron Hancock are given
in Shaw’s Chemistry. His five sons were all brought up to their
father’s business.

J. HANCOCK, jun. There appears to have been a second J. Hancock,
who was an apprentice and who absconded. He is described as “5
ft. 5½ inches high; dark brown long hair; between 18 and 19
years of age; had on a dark blue coat with yellow metal buttons
(rather too short for him), velvet breeches, and either a
striped velvet waistcoat, or red and white washing waistcoat.”

GEORGE HANCOCK, second son of John Hancock, removed to Derby
in 1819, and became a painter at the Derby works; and in 1820
his elder brother, John, also was there engaged as a colour
maker and painter. He died in 1840. George Hancock is said for
a time to have been employed by Billingsley at Pinxton and at
Mansfield. In 1835 he removed to Burton-on-Trent, having been
engaged by Mr. Edwards for those works. After many changes he
died in 1850. These two were uncles of Mr. Sampson Hancock, the
proprietor of the present Derby China works, whose father was
James Hancock. William Hancock, a son of the younger John, was
one of the last apprentices at the Derby works, and is now one
of the most successful designers in the potteries.

WILLIAM HAND, a handler and presser.

FRANCOIS HARDENBURG (lodged with a Mrs. Johnson), as he spelled
it himself, or Heartenburg, as it was spelled by Mr. Duesbury,
was a modeller in Derby in 1788 and 1789; having previously been
employed at Caughley. On the 8th of December in the latter year,
he was dismissed through repeated “idleness and ignorance.”
“Brosley, February 16th, 1789. Hon^d Sir, I take the Libberty of
wrightng to you not knowing aney other Name to truble in what
I ham going to aske I am a pirson in bunisness was a frend and
trusted Frances Hartinbirg. When at Mr. Turners Manufactory it
was not in His power to pay me before he Left, but Promised to
returne some as soon as he got worke as it is more than I Can
afford to loose Shall Esteeme it as a great favor if you will be
so good as to give leafe for one of your Servants to answer this
to let me know if he is there or not as he is not so gratfull to
answer aney letter That is sent to him. And ham Sir your Most
Obed. and Humbe. Sarvt., ANN OAKES. P.S. plest to Direct for Me
at the Tirkes armes, near Jacfield in Brosley, Shropshire.” He
afterwards resided in London.

JOHN HASLEM, a very late painter of flowers, figures, and
animals.

JOHN HENSON, one of the last apprentices, became a partner with
Mr. Hancock, in the present works in King Street; he died in
1873.

HICKEY,--“A Mons^r Mons^r Hickey, pres l’Hotel d’Angleterre a
Bruxelles,”--entered into negotiations with Mr. Duesbury in
1792; the correspondence having gone on since 1789. He was “a
native of Ireland,” “a man of reputation,” and a clever painter,
and “the first china burner in the world, who understands the
whole from the beginning to the end; if he (Mr. Duesbury) would
establish a Saxon manufactory,” &c.

HILL, a native of Warwickshire (commonly known by the
soubriquets of “Jockey Hill,” and “The Flying Painter,” through
his partiality for horses and horse-racing), a landscape and
flower painter of considerable note. After leaving Derby he
settled in London as a buyer and seller of old Government
stores, and died there about 1827.

JAMES HILL, one of the latest apprentices, became a clever
flower-painter. At the close of the works he became one of the
partners at the King Street works, and died in 1854.

HOLLAND, a flower painter.

WILLIAM HOLMES, a modeller of small animals.

WILLIAM HORSLEY, kiln man or labourer, and private
timekeeper, 1794.

DAVID KEEN, }
JOSEPH HALL, } “Fire-men,” all bound themselves by agreement
JACOB SPOONER, } for three years each, on the 2nd September,
ROBERT WOODWARD, } 1772, to employ “themselves in glazing and
THOMAS WARDLE, } burning of Porcelain, or in such other branch
SAMUEL WEAVER, } of the business” as Mr. Duesbury might think
WILLIAM WHITEHALL,} proper to employ them in, at six shillings
JOHN BUTLER, } per week each.
WILLAM YATES, }

SAMUEL KEY, son of Thomas Key, of Derby, who let out horses for
hire, was, in 1785, apprenticed to Mr. Duesbury, and died in
1850, in his 80th year. He was a painter of considerable skill,
especially in the fashionable Dresden style. After leaving
Derby, he worked for Minton’s at Stoke-upon-Trent. He drew up
a MS. account of the old Derby China Works, from memory, in
1837, of which he seems to have made two or three copies; one
of these is in my own possession. Three of his sons, John, a
flower-painter; Edward, a modeller; and Samuel, also a modeller;
were apprenticed at the works. The latter became a famous
modeller, and his statuettes of theatrical celebrities and
others were of a high order and became popular. He removed into
Staffordshire.

JOHN KEY, son of Samuel Key, also an apprentice, was a clever
painter of flowers, and afterwards a teacher of drawing, but
died young. His brother Samuel is a clever modeller.

JOSEPH LAKIN was employed in 1789.

JOHN LAWRENCE, “repairer,” was one of the earlier hands, and
in 1772 he, along with Robert Askew the younger, absconded
while under articles of agreement, and was advertised in the
Birmingham papers. On April 11, 1790, he wrote, “I now am in
employ for Mr. Turner, the Salop china manufactory.” This was
after he left Derby. In July of the same year, dating from
“Broasley, July 12, 1790,” he desires letters to be addressed to
him “at the China Works, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire.”

STEPHEN LAWRENCE was a clever moulder of ornamental ware.

CUTHBERT LAWTON, or LOWTON, was a painter of figures and general
subjects, including hunting scenes, which are said to have been
his forte.

LEONARD LEAD, of Belper, “wood collier,” executed articles of
agreement on the 20th May, 1790, by which he bound himself to
“burn, manufacture, and convert into charcoal in a good and
workmanlike manner, all the cord wood which he the said William
Duesbury shall have occasion to have converted into charcoal;”
not to work for any one else when he has any in hand for him;
and to be paid 7_d._ a quarter for every quarter of charcoal so
made. In this he continued till 1795, when Mr. Duesbury finally
gave up the use of charcoal. In a letter of Lead’s he says that
“for generations back, both of father’s side and mother’s, have
followed the above-mentioned business” of “coaling and cording
line”--_i.e._, charcoal burning. A son of his, of the same name,
was, I believe, apprenticed at the works as a flower-painter.

WILLIAM LONGDON, sen., was a china painter of considerable note
at the Derby Works.

WILLIAM LONGDON, jun., son of William Longdon, sen., china
painter, became an apprentice to Mr. Duesbury, July 5th, 1790,
“for painting or embellishing porcelain or earthenware.” In an
order in bastardy in 1799, he is described as a “china-painter.”

JOHN LOVEGROVE (the same as named on page 58 in my notice of the
Cock-pit Hill Works), EDMUND HOPKINSON, and JOSEPH KIRKLAND,
gilders.

WILLIAM LOVEGROVE entered into an agreement to work for Duesbury.

DANIEL LUCAS, a landscape and general painter, died in 1867. His
sons, John, William, and Daniel, were all apprenticed at the
Derby works.

MACLACHLAN, a painter of landscapes.

THOMAS MASON, of Derby, “China or Porcelain repairer,” bound
himself by an agreement, dated September 2, 1772, for four years
to Mr. Duesbury, at one guinea per week; Mr. Duesbury, by an
additional clause, promising “to make Thomas Mason a present
of five guineas at the end of each year over and above what is
specified in the articles (according to his service).” Later on
a Thomas Mason was a timekeeper.

M. MASON was an apprentice to Mr. Duesbury as a painter. He left
Derby and engaged himself to Mr. Barr of Worcester, in October,
1792.

GEORGE MELLOR, whose forte was painting flowers and insects, was
an apprentice but left and went to Pinxton. After that he was
employed at Coalport, and then in Staffordshire, but returned to
the Derby works. He died in 1861. His son, George Mellor (now
of London), was also a painter and gilder, as likewise was his
daughter Sarah.

WILLIAM MOORE, EDWARD BELFIELD, JOHN MORLEDGE, THOMAS TRUNDELL,
and JOSEPH SHIPLEY, were throwers in 1774–6.

JOHN MORLIDGE, son of William Morlidge, of Derby, hatter, was
apprenticed for seven years, on the 21st August, 1777, “to learn
the Art of Repairing of China or Porcelain Ware.”

MULLINS, a figure and landscape painter, was engaged for one
year certain to come down from London in 1795, to paint in
enamel on porcelain by the piece, at a fixed scale of charges,
on which for the first month he was to have 20 per cent., and
the second month 10 per cent. additional. The prices, in the
original list in my possession, are very curious.

JOHN MUSGROVE, kiln man and labourer about 1796.

WILLIAM PEGG, a Quaker, was a remarkable man in more ways than
one. He was a tolerably clever painter, but of a very erratic
and changeable character, and a religious enthusiast; indeed,
judging from his writings, there can be but little doubt that
he was not in all things perfectly sane. He wrote a singular
account of himself, “Traits in the singular life of that
persecuted man, for his obedience to the Truth, W_{m} Pegg, who
joined the Society of the People called Quakers in the year
1800,” in which he traced his descent from Abraham, “who is
said to be the Father of the Faithful,” because his family were
of the seed of Esau, red; and that on his mother’s side he was
descended from Ishmael, because she (his mother) and “all her
kin are swarthy and marked with a brown freckle.” William Pegg
was the son of Thomas Pegg, of Etwall, near Derby, who was a
gardener at Etwall Hall, and a member of the parish choir, where
he played the hautboy; from here he removed to Whitmore, in
the Staffordshire pottery district. William Pegg was born in
1775, and two years afterwards his father removed to Shelton,
where, at the age of ten, William Pegg was sent to work at a
pottery. At fourteen he was put to learn the painting on china
and earthenware, and when of age removed to Derby, and engaged
himself at the china works till he was twenty-three, when he
gave it up, and took to the stocking frame, at which he worked
at one place or other for twelve years. He then, in 1812,
returned to his old occupation, “making drawings and pictures
and painting china,” till 1820, when he again gave it up, and
commenced a small shop. He married Anne Hendley of Derby in
1814, and died in 1851. Pegg was a clever painter of flowers,
and his productions had the merit of being, in almost every
instance, painted from nature.

THOMAS PEGG, a brother of William Pegg, was one of the gilders
for many years.

WILLIAM PEGG, of a different family, was an apprentice at the
works in the beginning at the present century, but left, and
became a clever designer for calico printers.

ROBERT PENNINGTON, painter, 1775.

EDWARD PHILLIPS, of Derby, “China or Porcelain Painter,” by
agreement entered into September 2, 1772, bound himself as a
china painter, at twenty-five shillings per week. He afterwards,
I believe, removed into Staffordshire, where he carried on
business on his own account.

JOHN PORTER, son of Elizabeth Porter, of Spoondon, widow, was
apprenticed for seven years, on the 7th of April, 1777, “to
learn the Art of Painting upon China or Porcelain Ware.”

HENRY L. PRATT, a landscape painter, was apprenticed at the
Derby works, and afterwards, employed in Staffordshire. He
became a clever artist in oil, and died in 1873.

E. PRINCE, a landscape painter.

RICHARD ROBERTS, one of the Chelsea workmen, under Duesbury at
Chelsea, was a soldier and pensioner at Chelsea Hospital, and
was allowed occasional furlough to paint at Derby. Mr. Duesbury
endeavoured to procure his discharge, so that he might remain
with him. Here is one of the orders regarding him: “By Order of
Sir George Howard, K.B., General of His Majesty’s Forces, and
Governor of the Royal Hospital at Chelsea. Permit the Bearer,
Richard Roberts, a pensioner in the above-said Hospital to pass
from hence to Darby in Darbyshire, for the space of Two Months
from the Date hereof, and then to return to the above-said
Hospital. He behaving as becomeith. Given under my hand this
first Day of Dec^r. 1781. “L. GRANT, Adj^t.”

GEORGE ROBERTSON, a landscape painter, died in 1835.

ROBINSON, a landscape painter.

JOHN ROCKLEY, labourer; agreement for three years, from 1795 and
forward, at 9_s._ per week to be employed in the kilns, or in
any other manner.

THOMAS RODGERS was employed, at all events, from 1778 in which
year his wages were raised a shilling per week. He received this
addition for three years (£7 16s.) in January, 1782, after that,
till 1793, he received an addition of 3s. a week.

THOMAS ROGERS, timekeeper and labourer, 1780–95.

JONATHAN ROSE, a painter, came from London to Derby in 1780, and
was employed some time.

JAMES ROWSE, a late flower-painter. Now employed at the King
Street Works.

SARTINE was a modeller in London, employed by Duesbury in 1790,
on the recommendation of Vulliamy, to model figures.

CHARLES SHEEN, a clever thrower and presser, formerly of
Worcester, and in 1791, at the New Hall works at Shelton, was
engaged for Derby.

THOMAS SIMES (or SIMS) was an apprentice, from the age of 11 to
21, to Mr. Duesbury; in 1792 he absconded, and a warrant was
issued for his apprehension, and endorsed for the county of
Stafford.

MUNDY SIMPSON, a gilder and general painter.

WILLIAM SLATER, born at South Normanton, was an apprentice at
the Pinxton works, but came to Derby in 1813. He was a good
general painter. He died in Staffordshire in 1867. Two of
his sons, William and Joseph, were apprenticed at the Derby
works. They and their sons rank among the best painters in the
Staffordshire potteries.

CONSTANTINE SMITH, of Derby, in the county of Derby, preparer of
colours and porcelain painter and enameller, was one of the best
“hands” at the Derby works. On the 28th of October, 1773, his
son William Smith was bound apprentice to him.

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 25_s._

JOSEPH SMITH was a landscape painter; he had 7_s._ 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
Mess^{rs} Duesbury & Co., the sum of eighteen shillings, to
commence from this date and expire the 28th October, 1780.
Witness my hand, this 23_{d} Nov^r 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.

JOSEPH and THOMAS TATLOW were late apprentices and became clever
painters.

TAYLOR, at first a blue painter, afterwards became a clever
arabesque and Indian pattern painter. He painted the centres of
a service of plates for Mr. Digby in 1784.

JAMES TURNER, a late flower-painter.

S. or J. VIDAL, a painter, who, in August, 1793 till May,
1795, was living at “No. 1, Grosvenor Row, near the Bun-house,
Chelsea,” arranged, in the latter year, to leave London for
Derby “for six months every year, from June to January.” In
1793, he had sent specimens of his flower-painting to Mr.
Duesbury, and in doing so said, “As I have not painted anything
on china in this country, I am for that reason induced to show
what I am capable of doing in that line, being perfectly master
of the employment and direction of employing the colors, having
painted for about eleven years in the Porcelaine line,” &c.

JOHN WARDLE, “china painter” in 1800 (so described in an
affiliation order).

WATHEWS, a thrower and presser, was employed in 1787–90.

WILLIAM WATSON, a general painter.

H. WEBBER, a noted modeller, was employed in London by Mr.
Duesbury, and afterwards, in 1795, removed to Derby; the terms
of his engagement being shown in a letter from which the
following is an extract:--“London, Wed_{y}, July 15, 95.

{ N^o 4, Lisson Grove,
{ near Lisson Green.

“DEAR SIR,--When I had the pleasure of seeing you in Town, I
understood (or rather misunderstood) you was about to depart
for the Lakes; not for Derby: Therefore I had no intention
of writing to you ’till I shou’d have heard of your return
home;--But a call from M_{r} Lygo has set me right on that
head, and I lose no time to perform my promise; which I think
was, that as soon as I cou’d make up my mind on the matters
spoken of, to communicate it to you. Permit me then Sir briefly
to say, that the terms you propose--namely £100 pr. An^m. I
accept; with the allowance of a months vacation in the year
without deduction. But I find many obstacles arise which I am
sorry for--the detail of which I will not trouble you with;
but only beg leave to point out one of them,--which is--how to
get a tenant for the house I live in, and what relates to it.
However, I have requested the favor of M^r. Lygo to speak of
it to any friend he may suppose wou’d wish such a thing, and
have also spoken to other acquaintances and friends; and you
may rest assur’d Sir, that as soon as I can get rid of this
Stumbling-block (_which is indeed the principal_), I shall not
fail to use the utmost diligence in doing away every other in
hope to realize the pleasure I anticipate of paying my respects
to you at Derby. I am Sir, with Deference and Regard, Your Most
obed^t and very Humble Servant, H. WEBBER.”

MOSES WEBSTER, a flower-painter, was an apprentice, and
afterwards employed at the works. He was afterwards a teacher of
drawing, and died in 1870.

JOHN WELLS, a labourer, to be employed in any part of the
manufacture of china; fresh articles of agreement dated 1794.

WILLIAM WHEELDON (whose mother was a sister of the wife of
William Billingsley), was a clever flower painter.

JOHN WHITAKER, one of the workmen, in partnership with Mr.
Cocker, began in February, 1826, a china manufactory in
Friargate, Derby, but he failed in the same year. His son,
John Whitaker, began to work at the Derby China Works in 1818,
when only eleven years old, and in 1821 (Feb. 23rd) was bound
apprentice to Mr. Blore. In 1831 he became overlooker, and so
continued until the close of the works. Later on he was employed
at Minton’s and other places. He died in 1874.

RICHARD WHITAKER, a thrower and presser, employed in the
ornamental department, in which he was very clever, from about
1769 till 1786, when he died.

WILLIAM WINGFIELD, apprenticed at the works, was a clever
modeller, but died young.

JOHN WINROW, son of John Winrow, of Duffield, Innholder, was
apprenticed, by the same printed indentures, for seven years, on
the 6th of June, 1766, “to learn the Art of Painting on China or
Porcelain ware.”

EDWARD WITHERS, “of London, porcelain or china painter,” entered
into an agreement with Mr. Duesbury, on the 8th of May, 1789,
engaging himself for three years from the 27th of September
in that year “as a painter on porcelain” at the rate of 3_s._
6_d._ per day. It is said that he had previously been employed
at Derby, and from thence removed into Staffordshire, where he
worked as a china painter; then to Birmingham, where he worked
as a painter of japanned tea-trays. He is stated to have died in
Bridge Gate, Derby. A William Withers, potter, residing in 1778
at Rotherham, was in that year a voter at Derby.

WILLIAM YATES, a gilder.

JOHN YATES, general and flower painter and gilder, apprenticed
to, and afterwards employed by Duesbury about 1772. He is said
to have excelled in hunting subjects and flowers.

In 1876, while this chapter is passing through the press, new China Works, on a large scale, are about to be established on the Osmaston Road, Derby, by Mr. Edward Phillips, one of the proprietors of the Royal Porcelain Works at Worcester; there is therefore at last the pleasant prospect of one of the old staple trades of the town, that of porcelain, being brought back in all its integrity, and carried on with vigour and enlightenment.