Charles Ford (& Co)

Location and period of operation:

(See sources)

Stilt and spur manufacturer at Parker Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

• Originally an Engineer, Iron & Brass Founder - advertised as 'Manufacturer and patentee of the patent spur used by china and earthenware manufacturers in placing flat ware'.

• 'Letters patent granted to Charles Ford, original inventor and patentee 14th December 1846' 

• Evidently others copied Charles Ford's patented products. In 1849 there was a Chancery Case Ford v. Buller concerning infringement by Thomas Buller of Bovey Tracey Pottery Works, Devon, of patent of Charles Ford of Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, engineer and manufacturer, for manufacture of cockspurs for use in the pottery industry.

• In 1879 and 1882 trade directories the company is noted to be in the hands of executors. 

• The business continues at least until 1907 (when it is recorded in a trade directory). 

Stilt and spurs 
used to seperate ware during the firing process
to prevent sticking of the glaze

Charles Ford 
Parker Street, Shelton

Slater Directory - 1850

early adverts give the address as Shelton and later adverts as Hanley
originally Stafford Street was the dividing line between the townships of Hanley & Shelton
as time went on the boundary of Hanley expanded to include much of Shelton

Charles Ford & Co
Parker Street Works, Hanley

Pottery Gazette - May 1880 

Charles Ford & Co
Parker Street Works, Hanley

Keates Directory - 1882

courtesy: R K Henrywood - 'Staffordshire Potters 1781-1900'

Ford, Chas., & Co.,
stilt and spur manufacturers

from: 1907 Staffordshire Sentinel 
'Business Reference Guide to The Potteries, Newcastle & District'

running centre top to bottom is Trinity Street and Etruria Road
Hanley - 1929
Britain from above

- click picture for more - 

Blue rectangle is the works of Charles Ford
Red line is Parker Street

Light Blue line = Trinity Street & Etruria Road
Green line = Potteries Loop Line railway
Yellow line = Marsh Street
Purple line = Clough Street
Yellow oval = Grand Hotel
Light blue circle = Former chapel, then Scout Shop, then restaurant
Green rectangle = Town Hall
Red rectangle = Bethesda Methodist Chapel

Centre left is the Parker Street works of Charles Ford

Blue rectangle is the works of Charles Ford
Red line is Parker Street

Light Blue line = Trinity Street 
Yellow line = Marsh Street
Purple line = Clough Street
Light blue circle = Former chapel, then Scout Shop, then restaurant

questions/comments/contributions? email: Steve Birks