Overhouse Works, Burslem

"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 (edited Godden)

From	To	Occupier	Comments
1787		Thomas Wedgwood	The old works were situated at the back and side of the Overhouse, with entrance in Wedgwood Place, where that street joined Scotia Road.
c.1800	1819	Goodfellow & Bathwell
1819	1828	Edward Challinor	Edward Challinor began business on his own account at the Overhouse Works, which he bought in 1819. About 1828 Challinor moved his manufacturing to Tunstall but he retained ownership of the Overhouse Works which he leased to a succession of other potters.
1828	1856	William Pointon
1856	July 1857	Morgan, Williams & Co	The partners were Thomas Morgan, Samuel Morgan, Thomas Williams, Jacob Baggaley Thomas Wood and Charles Hobson. On the 8th July 1857 Thomas William left the partnership - the other partners remained and continued as Morgan, Wood & Co.
July 1857	1860	Morgan, Wood & Co	Around 1860 Morgan, Wood & Co moved to the Hill Works in Liverpool Road, Burslem.
1861	Jan 1868	Allman, Broughton & Co	The original partners were George Allman, Henry Broughton, Joseph Robinson, R Lawton, Absalom Daniels and William Walsh. The business was dissolved on the 6th January 1868 - Joseph Robinson continued the business as Robinson, Kirkham & Co.
Jan 1868	1869	Robinson, Kirkham & Co.	In 1869 Robinson, Kirkham & Co moved to the New Wharf Pottery.
1869			The Overhouse Works were rebuilt by the owner Edward Challinor - the old works were entirely taken down and a new and extensive manufactory was erected
1870	1905	Ralph Hammersley Ralph Hammersley & Son	new manufactory opened
1905		Thomas Gater
c.1907	1943	Gater, Hall & Co
1943	March 1992	Barratts of Staffordshire Ltd
March 1992		Royal Stafford	Royal Stafford was formed in March 1992 with the combination of two famous pottery factories, Royal Stafford China and Barratts of Staffordshire, both with a history in keeping with their well known names.