Barker, Sutton & Till

Burslem

1832/4

1843

In 1833 Wiliam Barker of Snow Hill, Burslem together with James Sutton and Thomas Till of Liverpool Road, Burslem took over the Sytch Pottery from John Hall & Sons.

Trading as Barker, Sutton & Till they made general earthenware, lustre ware and figures. In 1842 Sutton retired from the business which continued as Barker & Till.

Messrs. BARKER, SUTTON, and TILL's Earthenware Factory, Burslem.

John Mayer, aged 9

I am a runner of moulds for Adolphus Hancock ; I come to work at six o'clock and go home at six; sometimes stay till half-past seven or eight.

I cannot read; I cannot write; I went to day school before I came to work; I go to Sunday school now;

my father was a plate-maker; he is now blind; he has not worked for four years or more; mother takes in washing I've got two brothers and two sisters; my two brothers work, one is a squeezer or presser, the other is a colour maker; my sisters are too young to work ; they go to school and pay each 2½d. a-week;

I get for breakfast a bowlfull of stir-pudding, as much as I can eat and bacon and taters for dinner; I go home to both; and take the time allowed me, an hour and a half. I am very tired when I get home, and get my supper and go to bed, 'cause I have to be up early next morning.

William Clowes was born at Burslem, Staffordshire, on 12 March 1780, he was the son of William Clowes, potter, and Ann, daughter of Aaron Wedgwood, grandson of Gilbert Wedgwood and employed during his early years as a working potter.

He was one of the founders of Primitive Methodism, and became one of the best-known preachers of the new society.