Shelton and the Ridgway Family

Thomas Ford's house "The Hollies"

Location 9 on the index map

next:  Richmond Villa 
previous:  view of Thomas Ford's house from Wellesley Street 

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The 1852 plan for the development of John Ridgway's estate showed a proposal for villa residences in the area to the north of Wellington Street (now Wellesley Street). It was intended to construct a row of large houses called "Richmond Terrace" fronting Snow Hill. Development began in June 1860 when Alderman John Ridgway notified Hanley Borough Council of his intention to lay out "Richmond Terrace". (John Ridgway died  soon after, in December 1860).

Most of the land was taken by Thomas Ford a china manufacturer with works in nearby Cannon Street. (The Cannon Street works was started in 1854 by the Ford family. In 1904 was sold by Charles Ford to J.A. Robinson & Sons Ltd).

Thomas Ford immediately began to build a large house, later called 'The Hollies', in the centre of the proposed terrace. The borough council threatened to issue a summons for building a house in Richmond Terrace without receiving the sanction of the council. Ford obviously settled his difference with the authorities for the house was completed by the time the 1861 census was taken.

1861 census returns:

Name	Position	Status	Age	Employment	Place of Birth
Maria Ford	Head	Married	33	China Manufacturer's wife	Middlesex, St Luke
Thomas Ford	Son	Single	8		Staffs, Hanley
Charles Ford	Son	Single	6		Staffs, Hanley
William Ford	Son	Single	4		Staffs, Hanley
Emily Ford	Daughter	Single	2		Staffs, Bucknall
Eliza Ford	Daughter	Single	1		Staffs, Bucknall
Alice Bate	Servant	Single	16	Servant	Staffs, Bucknall

 Thomas Ford was away at the time of the census.

 

Thomas Ford's house. "The Hollies"

 

Detail of the entrance and frontage

 

The Hollies was bought by Taylor Ashworth who described himself in the 1881 census as "Cotton Spinner, Woollen manufacturer, Ironstone and China Manufacturer". He renamed the house 'Sunny Bank House' and was still living there in 1907. 

This property and the next door house are now (2000) used as a Masonic Hall.

 

photos: 2000

  
next:  Richmond Villa 
previous:  view of Thomas Ford's house from Wellesley Street 

questions/comments/contributions? email: Steve Birks