People from Stoke-on-Trent

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Richard Hicks

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1765 Richard Hicks, born in Shrewsbury, the son of Richard Hicks.
Served as an apprentice to Thomas Turner of Caughley, Shropshire. Kicks became a trained engraver.
1801 Married Lydia Meigh - the daughter of Job Meigh I
1805-8? Set up in Broad Street, Shelton as a partner with Joseph Boon as Boon & Hicks.
1807 Purchased the Broad Street works of John & Edward Baddeley & set up in partnership with Job Meigh II. 
1815 Hicks & Meigh rebuilt the Broad Street Works
1822 Johnson joined the partnership, which became: Hicks, Meigh & Johnson 
1835 Partnership dissolved & works sold to Ridgway, Morley & Wear.
1844 Richard Hicks dies. He was buried in Bethesda Chapel.

 

| also see Key Dates in the History of the Meigh family |

 

Richard Hicks married Lydia Meigh, daughter of Job Meigh I in 1801. In 1807 he bought a factory in Broad Street, Hanley, were he set up as a pottery manufacturer in partnership with his brother-in-Law, Job Meigh II. In 1815 they rebuilt the works in a typical rectangular courtyard plan with the kilns in a line along the rear. By 1841 it was said that the premises, standing on around three acres, consisted of “60 rooms, seven ovens, and five offices.” (Royal Commission on Children’s Employment.) 

The White House fronting the works was the home of Richard Hicks. It was demolished after the Second World War and is now the site of the Mitchell Memorial Theatre in Broad Street. 

Hicks & Meigh occupied the Broad Street Works.

From 1806-1822 as Hicks & Meigh
From 1822-1835 as Hicks, Meigh & Johnson (Johnson was their traveling representative)

"History of the Staffordshire Potteries", Simeon Shaw - published in 1829:
"In Shelton, is the elegant mansion of R Hicks, Esq. a gentleman who connects with sterling piety a most unbounded benevolence of disposition. 
Here the destitute find relief, the distressed find consolation, and the miserable, sympathy and protection. 
The Manufactory adjoining produces excellent porcelain and pottery, of various kinds; and is creditable to the parties of Hicks, Meigh, & Johnson. It stands on the site of that where Mr R Baddeley first made the Blue printed ware; and which subjected him and his brother to the highest censure for extravagance, in having a manufactory covered with tiles, instead of thatch; and for being the first who erected four hovels behind, instead of only two...