Joseph Hawley

Joseph, Elias’s son, was born in Burslem in 1794 and at an early age through the influence of his father was involved in the New Connexion. He described his parents as “truly consistent Christians”. He stated that as early as 1801 or 1802 “as far as my youthful mind could understand it, so far I received the truth in Christ” By the age of eleven he was fully involved in the work of the church and his young mind was led to fear God resulting in an avoidance of “ telling untruths, using deceptions and uttering improper expressions” He himself put this down to a “habitual sense of the Divine presence”.

As a young boy he received a good education and as an eager worker, this was soon put to good use. At that time, because education was not widely available, many men were appointed to offices for which they had every qualification except a good education. There were consequently many good businessmen who could not read or write. At the age of eleven years Joseph was regularly seen standing on a small stool by a writing desk preparing the documents needed by business people who did not have the capability to write themselves.

In one of his letters Joseph states that he has another means of obtaining a livelihood besides being an earthenware manufacturer. It is not known what this was but presumably he must have gained skill or experience in another field in his early years. However, he never followed up this alternative route.

On 14^th August 1815, at the age of twenty one he married Ellen Lockett who apparently came from Bucknall as they were married in that town. She may have been a descendant of the Lockett family who married earlier generations of the Hawley family. To Ellen he was a devoted and affectionate husband.

During the illnesses of his father Joseph had to manage the many difficulties that faced their factory at that time. These difficult circumstances continued in the years after Elias’s death and were varied in their nature.

In 1835 it appears that the business ran into severe financial problems, probably as a result of a strike by the pottery workers. On 6^th June that year the Staffordshire Advertiser reported:

“ The creditors of Mr Joseph Hawley, late earthenware manufacturer of Burslem who have executed the Deed of Assignment made by him to trustees therein named, may receive a first dividend of six shillings and eight pence in the pound by applying to Mr Crockett of Shelton at New Hall Mill on Monday June 15^th or any subsequent Friday afternoon.”

His financial difficulties were clearly severe but although he is described as “late” earthenware manufacturer, he must have overcome this calamity as he is still named as a Burslem manufacturer in Pigot’s Directory for 1841 and in John Ward’s Borough of Stoke-on-Trent of 1843. He is also described in the 1841 census as an earthenware manufacturer of Waterloo Road.

The financial pressures resulting from the issues facing pottery manufacturers at this time must have led to limited opportunity for investment in buildings and facilities and this was no doubt the reason for the Hawley manufactory being included in the third class by Samuel Scriven in his report on conditions in the pottery factories in 1840.

The type of ware that was made by Elias and Joseph Hawley is unknown and no makers marks were used, or at least none are recorded. The Scriven report describes the third class manufactories as including “ Egyptian ware and figure manufacturers” so it is probable it was this kind of product they made.

After 1843 there is no further mention of the Hawley manufactory, which appears to have closed down at this time. In this year he and his family took up residence in Bucknall, living in Bucknall New Road. He took up a position in the coal mining industry, being shown as a Colliery Agent in the 1851 census and as a retired Colliery Clerk in the 1861 census.

On moving to Bucknall, Joseph continued his involvement in the Methodist New Connexion. From eleven years of age to sixty seven years of age Joseph Hawley’s name appeared on the church books of the New Connexion. For forty years until his death he held the office of Circuit Secretary and was a trustee for six or seven chapels in the Connexion, thus taking on a large share of responsibility. He frequently represented the circuit at district meetings and at the annual conference. He was an indefatigable worker but in a quiet, constant and regular manner. At Bucknall Chapel he held the office of a church leader, was involved in the chapel school and maintained the various church accounts with beautiful neatness and scrupulous exactness. All the visiting preachers were made welcomed to the hospitality of his home and family.

Methodist Church in the process of demolition (1992)
Chapel Street, Bucknall

Between 1818 and 1835 Joseph wrote a series of letters to Mr William Ford a minister in the New Connexion. These documents provide a lot of information on issues related to the church during these years and also provide insight into the pottery industry at the time. These letters also are still within the family.

In June 1861 Joseph started the lingering illness to which he would eventually succumb. During his illness he was visited by ministers and friends and occasionally rallied a little when he was able to attend the chapel.

On 5^th November 1862 he left Bucknall and moved to Albert Place in Hanley because it was considered this would be favourable to his recovery. For a short while this seemed to be working but his illness re asserted itself and he deteriorated rapidly.

Shortly before he died he said to a friend “ I still feel sometimes an attachment to the present world, especially when I think of my home circle, my children and my dear wife but why should I wish to live seeing what God hath laid up for me? I am in his hands and to die will be gain.” He died peacefully on 7^th February 1863.

Joseph’s character was very much in line with his religion. In business relations he was known to be truthful and straight never causing others to think or say ill of him. Socially he was a pleasant companion and a trusted friend to many and his conversation was thoughtful but never dull. He possessed a natural humour which showed itself in the twinkle in his eye and the lifting of the corners of his mouth with a smile but he was more a self contained than an over- spontaneous and demonstrative person. He was thoughtful about other people and as a church elder was known for his judicious counsel.

The Rev. S Hulme, a minister in the New Connexion said of Joseph Hawley “ Mr Hawley was one of the best men I ever knew. Without parade of religion, there was the obvious power of holy principle which moulded his character and invested it with both harmony and completeness. His high Christian character, his gentle and genial spirit and the faithful and important services which through many years he rendered the church have secured for him a permanent place in the loving and grateful regards of a wide circle of friends. I have only to say that I never saw anything and never heard anything with which his name can be reproached. He was a good man.”

After his death, Joseph’s wife Ellen continued living in Hanley until her death in 1874 and her grandaughter, Ellen Heath, a schoolgirl, lived with her until that time.

William, born 1816, Elias, born 1817, John, born 1818, Mary Anne, born 1820, Joseph, born 1822, Eliza, born 1824, James George, born1826, Elias, born 1828, Henry Charles, born 1829, Margaret Ellen, born1833 and Tabitha, born 1835.

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