China and earthenware manufacturers at the Church Street Works, (Longton),  Stoke-on-Trent, England. A notice in the London Gazette of April 1859 records that Hilditch & Hopwood were "Manufacturers of China and Flint, and Colour Grinders at Longton.."

• In 1830 John Hilditch was joined in partnership with William Hopwood and the firm became known as Hilditch and Hopwood. 

• By 1833 the eldest son, William Hilditch, referred to the business as a partnership between him, his brother John and William Hopwood; trading under the name of Hilditch and Hopwood. 

• An entry in the 1834 White Directory lists the company as Hilditch & Co. manufacturing china and luster ware.

• An entry in the 1835 Pigot directory lists William & John Hilditch manufacturing china. 

• John Hilditch died 22 September 1845 (age 51 years) and his son William who was also in the business died on 
  1 January 1850 (aged 21 years). 

• An entry in the 1846 William directory lists the partners as Mary Ann Hilditch of Furnace Road and William Hopwood of Church Street. 

• The business continued under the style of Hilditch & Hopwood until 1858 when William Hopwood died. The firm was continued by the executors until March 1859 - see announcement in April 1859 London Gazette. 
  The executors of John Hilditch were Thomas Wynne, John Rowland and Mary Ann Hilditch. The executors of William Hopwood were Thomas Orton Goodwin and William Litherland. 

After the dissolution of the business trading as Hilditch & Hopwood it appears that the executors/trustees representing the interests of the estates of Hilditch also Hopwood operated separately at the same Church Street works:

Hilditch: 

• An entry in the 1862 Slater Directory lists 'May Ann Hilditch' of Peel Street as an earthenware manufacturer.

• Various trade directories from 1862 to 1873 list Thomas Bentley & Co as china manufacturers operating at Church Street. Adverts of 1864, 1869 and 1870 state "Late Hilditch & Co".  

Hopwood:

• The executors/trustees of William Hopwood are recorded as operating as china manufacturers in Church Street in various directories from 1860 to 1867 - see 1864 advert. 

• In 1862 Slater directory the manager is listed as Joseph Dale. 

• It is noted that in ".. May 1867.. the stock and plant, including moulds and copperplates as well as the business were purchased by Dale, Page & Co."  Mankowitz & Haggar

• Various trade directories from 1868 to 1875 list Dale, Page & Co as china manufacturers operating at Church Street. Adverts of 1869, 1873 and 1875  state "Late Hilditch & Hopwood".