Overhouse Manufactory

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No 43 - Overhouse Manufactory

The old works were situated at the back and side of the Overhouse, with entrance in Wedgwood Place, where that street joined Scotia Road. They were operated from 1787 by Thomas Wedgwood

The old works were entirely taken down and a new and extensive manufactory was erected in 1869 - it stands on the site of Wedgwood's Over House Estate

"A great many of the more interesting 19th century pottery factories have long since been demolished, or replaced by inferior asbestos and concrete box-like buildings that unfortunately do not reflect in any way the creative work that goes on within their walls. But, with a little investigation, you can still discover some real gems that have managed to survive. It was refreshing to find this particular factory entrance at the Overhouse Manufactory, Burslem, better known as Barratts.

The carved inscription in stone above the entrance proudly announces that "Edward Challinor commenced business here A.D. 1818 and rebuilt the premises A.D. 1869. Over House Manufactory." This statement is surrounded by a variety of ornamental embellishments created from local materials such as ceramic tiles and colourful bricks.

Fortunately for this building it appears to have had a recent facelift, but too many have been allowed to decay.

I would assume that this factory stands on a site previously occupied by a large, high-class dwelling known as the Over House, and that this and the Big House were occupied by two branches of the Wedgwood family during the 18th century. As so many potteries developed from cottage-type industries, it might be that Edward Challinor purchased the house or its adjoining land and so began his pottery. The only oddity about this building is that there is no mention of a pottery on this site nor of a Mr. Edward Challinor in an 1839 directory of Burslem, which is quite comprehensive and lists all the pottery manufacturers, big and small."

Neville Malkin 29th January 1975

"The Overhouse Works, Wedgwood Place.

In 1787, the record runs, "Thomas Wedgwood, Manufacturer of Cream-coloured Ware and China glazed Ware, painted with blue" worked the Overhouse Pottery at Burslem. The old works were situated at the back and side of the Overhouse, with entrance in Wedgwood Place, where that street joined Scotia Road.

Early in the nineteenth century, the Overhouse Works were occupied by Goodfellow & Bathwell, who were succeeded in 1819 by Edward Challinor, and from about 1828 by William Pointon. In 1856, they passed to Morgan, Williams & Co., afterwards to Morgan, Wood & Co. who, in 1861, were succeeded by Allman, Broughton & Co., and later by Robinson, Kirkham & Co.

In 1869, the old works were entirely taken down and a new and extensive manufactory was erected with all the latest improvements of machinery and appliances, the jiggers all being driven by steam-power and the drying stoves heated by exhaust steam.
The rebuilding, after half a century of active occupation by one person, was thus commemorated in ornamental scroll stonework over the entrance:

"Edward Challinor commenced business here A.D. 1819, and rebuilt the premises A.D. 1869."

The new manufactory was opened in 1870 by Ralph Hammersley, who removed here from the Church Bank Pottery at Tunstall and who had previously been engaged for twenty years with Mr. Challinor. In 1833, the firm's style was changed to Ralph Hammersley & Sons and as such remained until sold in 1905 to T. Gater.

Twentieth-century owners include Gater, Hall & Co., King & Barratt, and Barratts of Staffordshire Ltd.
The goods produced by Hammersley were the ordinary description earthenware in services of various kinds and the usual classes of useful articles which (besides a good home trade) were shipped in large quantities to the United States, Canada and Sweden. Stoneware jugs were also produced. The mark was the initials R.H. & S. in various forms until 1905."

Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900

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