Places in Hanley in 1859

HANLEY

ETRURIA, a village, in the parish of Shelton, borough and union of Stoke-upon-Trent, N. division of the hundred of Pirehill and of the county of Stafford, l mile (N.E.) from Newcastle. The classical name of this place was given to it by its late celebrated founder, Josiah Wedgwood, who established here the well-known Wedgwood-ware potteries, in 1769, and called the village after the seat of the ancient fictile art in Italy, Etruria, where a colony of Phoenician potters settled about 1000 years before the birth of Christ. On the formation of the Trent and Mersey canal, this spot was chosen by Mr. Wedgwood, who erected an entire village for his workmen and dependants, and a mansion on a neighbouring eminence for his own residence, which is now occupied by his grandson, Mr. F. Wedgwood, by whom, and his partner, Mr. Boyle, the manufacture is carried on. Mr. Wedgwood died here in 1795. Coal and ironstone abound; and there are extensive wharfs and warehouses for canal traffic. The road from Leek to Newcastle passes through.

In 1844, a church district was formed and endowed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; and a church has since been erected, of brick and stone, in the Maeso-Gothic style: the living is in the gift of the Crown and the Bishop of Lichfield, alternately; income, £150. A small episcopal chapel, also, for the use of the boatmen, has been lately built by local subscription, aided by a grant from a society, and a handsome contribution from the Canal Company. There are places of worship for Wesleyans, and Methodists of the New Connexion; and the North Staffordshire Infirmary, affording accommodation for 100 patients, besides dispensing vast out-door relief, is situated near Etruria. 

SHELTON, a township and chapelry, in the parish, union, and newly-erected borough of STOKE-UPON-TRENT, N. division of the hundred of PIREHILL and of the county of STAFFORD, 2 miles (E.N.E.) from Newcastle-under-Lyme; containing, with the hamlet of Etruria, and part of the village of Cobridge, 11,955 inhabitants. This place, which adjoins the township of Hanley, has arisen, like many other towns in the county, from the very extensive potteries carried on in the vicinity. It is amply supplied with water; the footpaths are paved with brick, and it is lighted with gas under the superintendence of commissioners appointed by an act of parliament obtained in 1815, and amended in 1828, for its better management, jointly with Hanley. An act for the establishment and regulation of the market, and for the improvement of the market-place, was procured in 1813, under the provisions of which the rents, tolls, and duties are vested in trustees; and the surplus is directed to be appropriated from time to time to the promotion and aid of any public works or institutions within the townships of Hanley and Shelton. A mechanics institute was founded in 1826, for the potteries at large, under the patronage of the Marquess of Stafford, Josiah Wedgwood, Esq., and others. Concerts, mostly for the benefit of some charity, take place occasionally; and races, which are in general well attended, 
have been lately established in the neighbourhood.

The principal articles of manufacture are porcelain and earthenware, affording employment to more than 3000 men, women, and children. Several of the manufactories are situated on the banks of the Trent and Mersey and the Caldon canals, which pass through the township, and near which are also some gas-works. In the hamlet of Etruria are the extensive potteries and handsome mansion of Josiah Wedgwood, Esq., the latter remarkable for the beauty of its situation and style of architecture, and for the many splendid Etruscan vases with which it is ornamented. These specimens of art, produced here under his own superintendence, are imitations of original vases found in Italy, to the discovery of which that gentleman was chiefly indebted for the elegance of form and purity of taste that he introduced into the manufacture of porcelain, china, and stone ware. For this manufacture the place is deservedly celebrated; and by the use of flint in the composition of the articles, also introduced by Mr. Wedgwood, it has, under his auspices, been progressively brought to its present state of perfection. The coal and iron-stone mines, in this and part of the township of Hanley, belong to the crown, and are extensively worked by Earl Granville, the lessee. Shelton is in the honour of Tutbury, duchy of Lancaster, and within the jurisdiction of a court of pleas held at Tutbury every third Tuesday, for debts under £40. Under the provisions of an act passed in 1827, relating to the rectory of Stoke, this chapelry is to be separated from that parish, and to be made a distinct district rectory, to be endowed with not less than £10,000, nor more than £15,000, at the option of the patron, from the proceeds of tithes authorized to be sold and invested in land.

A handsome and spacious district church in the early English style, with a square embattled tower crowned by pinnacles, has been erected by her Majesty's Commissioners, at an expense of £9311, towards defraying which George IV. gave £250 from the revenues of the duchy of Lancaster; it was consecrated on the 19th of June, 1834, and dedicated to St. Mark. In the chancel is a beautiful painted window representing the Nativity and Ascension. The late rector, Dr. Woodhouse, gave £1000, which, with its accumulations, he appropriated to the erection of a parsonage-house, besides allotting funds for the support of a national school, which has also a permanent endowment from land given by Mrs. Hannah Bagnall. There are places of worship for Baptists, Independents, Wesleyans of the Old and New Connexion, and Unitarians; and a British and Foreign school, established in 1821. In this township, also, is the North Staffordshire Infirmary, a oble institution erected in 1816, and since very much enlarged; including the fever wards, which occupy one of the wings, it is capable of accommodating more than 100 patients, and the charity has received donations and bequests to a very liberal extent, and is further supported by annual subscriptions. Elijah Fenton, the poet, was born here in 1683. 

 

[Description(s) from The Topographical Dictionary of England (1859) by Samuel Lewis - Transcribed by Mike Harbach ©2020]