Fenton House | Buildings of Stoke-on-Trent
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Fenton House

Ralph Bourne and his stepson William Baker (1800-65) built houses in the late eighteenth century on the higher ground on the south side of the High Street. William Baker’s residence, Fenton House, was near the corner of what is now Glebedale Road and City Road and Ralph Bourne’s was a little further along the main road opposite Victoria Place. 

see William Baker

 

Simeon Shaw described the two houses in his History of the Staffordshire Potteries in 1829:  “On the south side of the turnpike road], are the two mansions of Ralph Bourne, and William Baker Esqs.  The former is neat; but being only a kind of business residence is without exterior decorations, the proprietor’s home being Hilderstone Hall, a few miles south-east of Fenton.  Mr Baker’s residence is spacious and commodious, surrounded with gardens and pleasure grounds, and enjoying a tolerably extensive prospect.  The public spirit and private virtues of these gentlemen, have been long known in the district; and are duly appreciated by all persons of discernment and worth. Ready for every good word and work, their benevolence has been exercised to discover objects of commission; and their liberality has been dispensed with most laudable extension and promptitude.  Almost adjoining are the two extensive Manufactories, and Mill, of Messrs Bourne, Baker and Bourne, whose productions are in estimation in both the home and foreign markets.”

 

The gates to Fenton House on the 
corner of City Road and Glebedale Road

photo: July 2000

 

The two houses are shown on the Ordnance Survey maps:

| 1878 OS map of Fenton showing Fenton House |
| 1924 OS map of Fenton showing Fenton House |

Each house had a separate carriage entrance, garden and outbuildings. 

Those at Fenton House included a gardener’s cottage; the coachman was accommodated in one of the houses in the High Street.

The household in Fenton House was recorded in the 1851 census returns as follows:

1851 census:
Dwelling: 31 High Street (Fenton House)

There was an empty house recorded in the census which was the smaller adjacent house the residence of the Bourne family of Hilderstone Hall when they stayed at Fenton.