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THE
JOURNAL OF THE WILKINSON SOCIETY No. 2, 1974
Editor:
N.J. Clarke
THE WILKINSON SOCIETY.
NOTES
AND NEWS.
The
Year's Activities.
CHURCHES
OF THE BROSELEY AREA by Dennis Mason.
BROSELEY
RAILWAY by Neil Clarke.
THE
MIGRATION OF POTTERY WORKERS BETWEEN STOKE-ON-TRENT AND THE BROSELEY AREA IN THE
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY by Maurice Hawes.
Introduction.
Extracts
from the Much Wenlock Archives.
Conclusions.
JOHN
WILKINSON’S TRADE TOKENS by Wayne Turner
WATER
PIPES OR CANNON by Neil Clarke.
THE
SOCIETY'S COLLECTION OF INDUSTRIAL RELICS by Ralph Pee.
NEW
WILLEY IRONWORKS by Neil Clarke.
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The Society was formed in 1972 to meet the
need for an organisation to preserve the material and documentary evidence of
Broseley's industrial past. Since an important part in this industrial past was
played by John Wilkinson, who lived for a time at the Lawns, it was decided that
the organisation should be known as the Wilkinson Society.
The
aims of the Society are:
- to
act as custodian of any relevant material and information and to make such
material and information available to interested individuals and
organisations;
- to
promote any relevant preservation activity and to assist individuals or
organisations in such activity where deemed appropriate;
- to
provide a link with the community of Broseley for individuals or
organisations undertaking local historical research.
Any
available material will be added to the existing collection of Broseley and
Wilkinson relics at the Lawns, Broseley. This collection is open to the public
on Saturdays and Sundays (2-4p.m.) and by appointment.
Administration
of the Society is by an annually elected committee. Membership is open to anyone
interested in the Society's aims and activities. These activities include
illustrated lectures, social evenings, researching and exhibiting the
Collection, fieldtrips and coach-tours. Members are kept informed by a
Newsletter, and an annual Journal presents articles on the history of the
Broseley area, John Wilkinson and industrial archaeology in general.
At
the first A.G.M. of the Society on October 4th, 1973, the serving committee was
re-elected, with Maurice Hawes as secretary. Following the formal business of
the meeting, Mr. Malcolm Wanklyn gave a talk on "Industry in East
Shropshire in the century before Abraham Darby"
On
January 24th, 1974, a symposium was arranged on the theme of “Local Clay
Industries'': the speakers were Mr.
Frank Turner (Clay Mining at Blists Hill), Mr. Howard Williams (Brick and Tile
Work of the Broseley area) and Mr. Tony Herbert (Ceramic Tile Industry of
Jackfield).
Mr.
George Stretton gave a. talk on “Early Communications and Settlements in
S.E. Shropshire" on March 22nd.
On
May 4th a coach-tour was made of historical sites in Broseley,
Bridgnorth and north Telford areas.
A
day conference on June 8th examined the theme "John Wilkinson
and the two Willey Ironworks" the speakers were Mr. Robert Machin
(Documentary and Archaeological Evidence), Mr. Maurice Hawes (Willey Tramway),
Mr. Wayne Turner (John Wilkinson's Trade Tokens) and Mr. Ralph Pee (First Iron
Boat) following these talks at the Lawns, lunch was taken at Broseley Hall; and
the afternoon field-excursion ended with tea at the Deanery.
In
addition to these general meetings, there have been seven committee meetings
during the year; a demonstration of a, working forge for the Broseley Carnival
on August 26th , and the publication of Monograph No. 1 -
"John Wilkinson and the two Willey Ironworks", by Ralph Pee and
Maurice Hawes,
Programme of Events for 1974
October
4th : second A.G.M. followed by talk "The importance of the
excavations at Caughley" by Mr. David Holgate.
November
1st . talk "Tobacco
pipe making in Broseley", by Mr. Ron James (joint meeting with Friends
of Ironbridge Gorge Museum).
January
18th . members' evening (details to be announced)
February
28th . talk - "John and William Wilkinson in France, the
Austrian Netherlands, Scandinavia
and Silesia, 1775-1790", by Mr. W.H. Chaloner.
March
28th talk
"Brick and Tile Works of the Broseley Area" by Mr.
Howard Williams (sequel to earlier talk).
Spring/Summer-.
coach-trip (to be arranged)
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The Journal
The
first Journal was well received and, as a result of interest from outside the
Society; .a reprint was necessary after this initial success, we feel justified
in producing a larger Journal this year-. this accords with an increase in
membership and a wider range of activities. Unfortunately, more Journal means
more cost, and we are obliged to increase the price to non-members from 10p. to
15p. Copies of this issue of the Journal and back-numbers can be obtained from
the Secretary Maurice Hawes, 2 Church Street, Broseley, Salop, (20p., including
postage).
Contributions
to future issues of the, Journal would be welcome, and should be sent to the
Editor, N.J. Clarke, Cranleigh, Little Wenlock, Telford. Salop (Tel. Malinslee
4135).
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Wilkinson,
unlike Telford, did not design any churches. His Broseley days were, however.,
spent in a locality of interesting ones, four of the six of which are still
standing and are likely to be standing for a few centuries-to come!
All
Saints, Broseley, was not
around in Wilkinson's day. The parish church of his day (on the same site) was
an undistinguished one of brick and stone of 18th century date. At least one and
probably two earlier structures stood on the same site, but their architectural
qualities are shrouded in mystery. The church of Wilkinson's day was not even
called "All Saints". This name was given to the present church and was
a typical British compromise following much dispute by the partisans of various
individual saints.
The
brick and tile industry in 1845 (when Broseley church was built) was in the
ascendant and a powerful lobby was in favour of building the church in brick. I
am not usually on the side of conformity, but here is one instance when I am
pleased that the forces of "reaction" won and the building was thereby
built of stone.
Early
Victorian churches are not notable for their beauty (the Rev, J.C. Oakes will
start sharpening his ecclesiastical sword at these words, but once more I am on
the safe side of conformity!..) but All Saints is a very notable exception. Its
total cost (around £9,000) was a large sum even for a church, in those days.
And here, by the way, John Randall, in giving the figure as £3,388. 4. 0. is in
serious error. The result of this expenditure was a noble Gothic building, which
would have been nobler still. if modern methods of underpinning foundations had
been known then, for the chancel was shortened, owing to unstable ground. This
unavoidable act seriously modified the architectural quality of the building as
did another - not unavoidable - act, the insertion of side galleries, which
partially ruined the majestic effect of the great Gothic arches.
The late Prebendary C.S. Jackson saw this and hoped to get rid of. the
galleries. He failed the present rector, the Rev. J. Tilston, hopes to do the
same and all power to his elbow!
Features
of this unusually beautiful Victorian church should be mentioned here. In an age
of appallingly ugly stained glass windows the great East window stands out as a
triumph to the architect,, Mr. Harvey Eginton, and the west window (an unusual
feature), though less spectacular, is pleasing. A stained glass window in the
north wall, put in by the Thursfield family in 1852, is rather less admirable.
Beneath
the fine carpets of the chancel and sanctuary are exquisite "figured"
tiles, representing some of the highest skill of the local encaustic tile
industry. This type of tile has not been made for many years. It is doubtful if
they could be made, even if they were economically viable.
The last craftsman locally of this beautiful work was the late Mr. Tom
Harrington of Benthall, who has been dead many years.
The
pinnacles of the tower were taken down about 25 years ago, as they were in
danger of falling on the worshipers! A shame, this, as they did much to set off
this fine building. There is a peal of eight bells in the tower (originally 6).
But a small bell, known as
“the parson’s bell” when I was a choirboy rather a long time ago predated the
other bells by a couple of centuries. It bears the date of 1642 and possesses the foundry mark of
Thomas Olibury whose foundry was near the present Charlton Arms,
Wellington.
Another
object of antique interest is a strange, half-circular stone in the clock
chamber, with heraldic signs and the letters "R.T." marked on it. It
was taken from the old church and probably from previous structures. So far no
antiquary has provided a satisfactory explanation for it.
Almost
all the church silver predates the church. Two chalices and two patens,
beautifully made; bear the date 1691. An alms dish, the size of a dinner plate,
is dated 1764 and was made in that year from a chalice given to the church. in
1658 by Mrs. Gertrude Langley of
The Amies. an ancient manor house which once stood a little off the Coalport
Road. Two flagons 18" high are early 19th century. The value of this
beautiful silver today must be immense. It is perhaps a sign of changed times
that before the War some of the oldest of this silver (then in regular use) was
kept in a simple wall-safe in the vestry, the key being in one of the drawers
of the chest where the priest kept his hood, scarf and
other academic and ecclesiastical garments; and
no-one would have dreamed for
a moment that the silver could
be un-safe!
The
Old Red Church Jackfield’s previous parish
church, was demolished some years ago. The arrogance of the Middle Ages
continued in these parts for a long time afterwards this church was built on the
tip of an eminence nearer Broseley than Jackfield and the unfortunate
parishioners had nearly a mile's walk up a sharp hill to reach it. It was built
about 1755 by the Blyth family, in red brick in characteristic mid-18th
century style. After little more than a century, undermining made the place of
doubtful safety and an annual service only was held there right down to the '20s
of this century. The present Jackficld parish church (St Mary's) was
built in the village in 1863 and is quite an attractive brick building with an
apse. It is a Blomfield church and he makes effective use of red, yellow and
blue bricks and stone dressings.
The
district's other churches are all much older. The piece de resistance is
undoubtedly Barrow, a small church with massive walls on the wind-swept
Barrow ridge, a mile and a half from Broseley on the Wenlock road. The main
building is early Norman, but the chancel arch is Saxon, the only one in
Shropshire, The Rev. L.J. Peltor, the last incumbent of Willey & Barrow, a
most worthy historian, states in an excellent pamphlet which he published on
Willey and Barrow, that the present chancel of Barrow church was the site of a
small chapel built in the 8th century and some of the present fabric
would appear to date back to that remote age. This early chapel was dedicated to
St. Giles, as is the present church, so that there has been a St. Giles, Barrow,
for 1200 years!
The
tower, a squat, massive affair characteristic of the Welsh Marches, was added
about 1100 and the west door in the tower possesses an early typmpanum. Plate includes a chalice of 1625 and a paten of 1700.
St.
John the Baptist, Willey,
now closed, is near Willey Hall, about a mile; and a half away. It is basically
Norman, the tower having been rebuilt in the 18th century. Unfortunately the
church has suffered sorely from 19th century "restorers", who really
went to town on what must have been a very pleasant structure. Beside an oval
font of more recent date is an old, plain early Norman one. Two of the five
bells bear date 1618 and one 1726.
Two
miles south of Broseley, tucked away in a little copse a few hundred yards from
the Broseley/Bridgnorth road is the lovely little Norman church of St.
Leonard Linley, one of the neatest specimens of this period in the county,
in spite of the inevitable 19th century "restoration" (Mr. Oakes, your
favourite period has a lot to answer for!). Two outstanding features are the
font and a fantastic tympanum over the south door (long since blocked up). The
font is elaborately carved in the late Norman style; with cable moulding,
foliage and quite grotesque heads. The tympanum, weathered by the north winds,
has a figure with branches and leaves issuing from its mouth, a "green
man". Its significance has puzzled many an antiquary: a favourite theory,
I believe, is that it represents His Satanic Majesty consigning some of his
victims to the flames'. A tympanum over the
south door has more characteristic Norman zig-zag carving.
The
tower of St. Leonard's is of the usual heavy Norman character to be found in
these parts.
About
12 miles north west of Broseley, in a high and windy spot, crouching beside the
Tudor splendour of Benthall Hall is the 17th century church of St.
Bartholomew Benthall, one of the few Salopian churches of that century. It
was erected in 1667, following the destruction during the Civil War of the old
church of St. Brice, a Celtic missionary of the 5th century. The building is
quite characteristic of the late 17th century. A remarkable feature of it dates
only from 1893, when the porch was added. On the turret is carved a lion's head
with the words "De forte dulcendo" (From the strong comes forth
sweetness"). To quote Dr. Cranage, "In the lion's mouth are two holes,
which communicate with two lockers in the gallery of the church. They are to
accommodate bees!" As far as I know this is a. unique architectural feature
in a church of any period!
To
conclude, it must be said that in an article of this size, justice has not been
done to some of these fine structures, particularly Barrow and Linley. The
purpose is partly informative, but is much more to whet the appetite of lovers
of beautiful buildings; and that, no doubt, will include most members of the
Wilkinson Society. I hope that old residents will have borne with me patiently
while they have read much that they already know. More recent residents to the
district will, I hope, be inspired to visit these churches for themselves.
Dennis
Mason
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WHERE WAS ABRAHAM DARBY BURIED? By Barrie Trinder
People
interested in the history of Coalbrookdale and Broseley may well have been
confused by the different burial places given in various works of reference for
the first Abraham Darby. The older books, particularly the works of John
Randall, say that he was buried at Broseley, and other books published before
about 1960 have followed Randall. Then Dr. R. A. Mott, to whose work on the
Coalbrookdale and Horsehay ironworks everyone interested in local history is
indebted, discovered in the Register of the Society of Friends for Herefordshire
Worcestershire and Wales that Darby was said to have been buried at Bewdley.
This seemed to be conclusive evidence, and most recent publications have
accepted it. Then, when the future of the graveyard was called into question
earlier this year, the subject was investigated by Mrs. Hutton of Beckbury, who
discovered that the source of Dr. Mott's evidence was a copy made about 1840,
one of many made by Nonconformists at this time when legislation compelled them
to deposit their original registers in Somerset House. Mrs. Hutton traced the
original at the Public Record Office and found that the entry read "Mary
the Widow of Abraham Darby deceased the 1st day of the second month
1718 and was interred at Bewdley-ye 3rd.... the 7th of 3rd mo.1717 her husband
A.D. deceased was buried at Broseley".
(Ref.RS6 1581 6795, or Book 666 p.61 in Friends House Register). This
seems to establish beyond all doubt that Darby was buried in the graveyard of
the Friends Meeting House in Broseley, and Mrs. Hutton deserves the grateful
thanks of all local historians for her persistence.
Barrie
Trinder
In
1880 a new railway was planned to reach Broseley. According to the deposited
plans in Salop Record Office (No. 486 - 13th November, 1880), this
railway was to run from a junction with the LNWR Hadley - Coalport line at the
bottom of Lee Dingle across the River Severn to the town of Broseley.
Needless
to say, it was never built. Broseley's only. rail-link was the Severn Valley
line (opened in 1862), with stations at Ironbridge, Coalport and later Jackfield
serving the parish.
N.J.C.
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John
Randall, in his contribution to the industrial section of the Victoria County
History of Shropshire (1909), notes the links between the pottery industries in
Stoke-on-Trent and Broseley in terms of migrating workers in both directions; in
the middle of the sixteenth century from the Broseley area to Stoke-on-Trent,
and in the early part of the eighteenth century from Stoke-on Trent to the
Broseley area. Evidence for such migrations is usually to be found in the parish
or borough records of the place to which the person has moved, in the form of
references to births, deaths and marriages, or in the form of examinations
conducted under oath before magistrates of persons who have become unemployed
and are therefore applying for relief under the Poor Law.
The
Borough Archives at Much Wenlock, Shropshire, contain records of Poor Law
Examinations for the periods 1729-1743, 1774-1777, and 1813-17 and include many
cases referring to workers in the Broseley area, which was in the Borough of
Wenlock at that time. Some of these workers were very closely connected with
influential figures in the early history of. English pottery, and the overall
impression gained by the writer of these notes is that Broseley was a more
important centre of the industry than is sometimes allowed. To enable readers to
draw their own conclusions, the relevant cases from the Much Wenlock Archives
are quoted below in chronologica1 order. It should be noted at this point that
the original records vary considerably in depth and detail. In some cases the
unemployed person under examination gives no more than his name, occupation, and
place of birth, whereas in other cases, fortunately for posterity, he gives much
more detail.
Only the more detailed and therefore interesting records are quoted in
full here; the remainder are shortened to essentials.
1730
Examination of John Bell, a Potter born in Hardley Green, Stoke-on--Trent.
1731
Examination of Thomas Simpson, a Mugmaker, born in Stoak (sic) and worked there
for one Richard Miles.
1731
Examination of Thomas Alcock, a, Potter, born in Stoke and has been working for
William Bird of Broseley for upwards of 7 years.
1732
Examination of Samuel Edge. a Mugmaker. Born in Burslem, Staffs., 26 years
previously and apprenticed to John Symson as a Mugmaker.
1736
Examination of Thomas Toft, Plattermaker, born in the Parish of Kanham, Salop,
his father James Toft being a certificated person from Stoke-upon-Trent in the
county of Stafford.
1737
Examination of Thomas Symson, born in Steak and worked there for one year for
John Astbury:, fourteen years since.
1739 Examination of John Thursfield,
Potter, "Who upon his oath saith that he was born in the Parish of Stoke
the County of Stafford and that about 16 years ago he came to work in Jackfield
in the Parish of Broseley under one Mr. Joseph Garner as a Potter and that he
there hired for seven years at seven shillings and sixpence a week the first
five years and eight shillings a week the two last years and that he served -a
year a quarter of the term and then marryed and has since served the remainder
of his term agreed on as aforesaid, and hath not done any thing to create
himself a settlement in any other place."
1739
Examination of John Pope, a Potter, born in Stoke.
1739
Examination of Thomas Pope, a Potter, born in Stoke, came to Broseley 16
years previously to work for Joseph Garner,
1739 Examination
of Thomas Toft (again:), adding this time "about 14 years ago he was hired
a year with William of Broseley, Plattermaker,, at three shillings a week drink,
washing and lodging."
And
lastly a much later records
1814
Examination of John Ashton, 75 years old, born in Lane End, Stoke-on-Trent and
apprenticed for 7 years to William Turner, Stoke-on-Trent.
Inferences
1.
Remembering that the evidence deals only with workmen who became
unemployed, and noting the dates given by Alcock, Toft, Thursfield and Thomas
Pope, it appears that there was a significant movement of pottery workers from
Stoke-on-Trent to Broseley during the period 1723-25. The principal employers in
Broseley at that time who took on such workers seem to have been William Bird
and Joseph Garner. Trade apparently declined during the 1730's, rendering at
least these recorded cases unemployed. There appears to have been three
categories of worker, namely potter, mugmaker and plattermaker.
2.
The case of Thomas Toft is of special interest because he states that his
father was called James Toft and was a certificated person from
Stoke-upon-Trent. It therefore seems highly probable that the Wenlock Thomas
Toft was related to the famous Staffordshire Tofts, Ralph Toft (b.1638), Thomas
Toft (d.1689), and James Toft (b.1637). A further piece of somewhat
circumstantial evidence is given by the fact that the Wenlock document carries
an actual signature "Thomas Toft" rather than just a mark - it was
unusual for these workers to be able to write their names, but if Thomas Toft
was related to the Staffordshire family he might have been expected to do so,
because they all signed their work with their full names.
3.
The case of Thomas Symson is of special interest because he states that
he worked for a year for a John Astbury in Stoke-on-Trent, in 1723. The
important and famous early English potter John Astbury operated in Stoke-on-Trent
from about 1700, until 1743; so it is highly probably that he was the man who
employed Thomas Symson in 1723.
4.
The case of John Thursfield is of special interest because he states that
he arrived in Jackfield in 1723 to work as a potter under one Joseph Garner, and
was married fifteen months' later. The first part of this statement
contradicts Randall in two respects, when he says that John Thursfield came to
Jackfield in 1723 to take over an existing works. However, the second part of
John Thursfield's statement is generally consistent with Randall when he says
that John Thursfield was the father of the Maurice Thursfield who is mentioned
by many writers as the operator of the Jackfield pottery prior to Blakeway and
Rose. John Thursfield was married around 1724-25, so a son could have taken over
his pottery at any time between about 1745 and 1785 and Blakeway and Rose
started their operations in Jackfield soon
after 1785.
5.
The isolated and later case of John Ashton is of special interest
for two principal reasons, he was apprenticed in Lane End, Stoke on Trent, to a
well-known concern which eventually manufactured porcelain; and the year in
which he became unemployed, 1814, is the year in which Caughley was closed.
Without stretching the evidence beyond reason, it seems possible that John
Ashton, having been trained under the Turners at Lane End around 1753-60, came
to Caughley, perhaps in its early days, and remained there for the remainder of
his working life, to become unemployed there at
the age of 75, when the factory closed.
The
evidence from the Much Wenlock Archives confirms and dates the eighteenth
century links between the pottery industries in Stoke-on-Trent and Broseley,
mentioned by Randall and others.
Apart
from this general confirmation, there are seen to be specific case slinking
Broseley with the Toft family, with John Astbury and, slightly later, with the
Turner factory at Lane End. In addition it is seen that Randall's account of
John Thursfield's early years in the Broseley area is not quite accurate.
Finally,
there arises, in the case of John Ashton, the interesting possibility that a
workman trained by the Turners at Lane End, and therefore being familiar with
porcelain manufacture, eventually became a much valued worker at the, Caughley
factory and remained there until the factory was closed, when he was 75 Years
old.
Acknowledgements
The
research upon which these notes are based was carried out under the auspices of
the University of Birmingham Department of Extramural Studies during the 1973-4
Session. The classes were held in the Much Wenlock Corn Exchange on Tuesday
evenings under the Tutorship of Mr. M. D. G. Wanklyn, and the writer is
extremely grateful to him for his guidance throughout, and to the other members
of the group for their advice at various points.
Maurice
Hawes
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The following is extracted from "The
Town of Chepstow, Part I: Riverside", by Ivor Waters (The Chepstow Society,
41 Hardwick Avenue, Chepstow, Mon., price 30p.).
"The old name of part of
Riverside was Gunstock Wharf. Here in 1781 John Byng saw 'incredible numbers of
iron water pipes (like cannon each 9 feet long and weighing about 800 weight
which are going to France (by permission but whether for the Paris aqueducts, or
the King's water works is not known'. There were nearly twenty-one miles of
pipes weighing about 4,900 tons. John and William Wilkinson the ironmasters did
manage to export two cargoes of steam-engine parts and water-pipes to France in
1780 and 1781, in spite of war-time controls. These cargoes sailed from Chepstow
in the sloop 'Mary'. The pipes were alleged to be 'really cannon in disguise'
(Torrington Diaries, I: 24: History Today, May 1951, p.67: E. Vale: Shropshire,
p. 205)
For
the truth of the matter, see the next issue of the Journal.
N.J.C.
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Most members have seen something of our
small collection of industrial relics but may not be aware of more recent
additions. These additions have made the collection more comprehensive and it
could now form the basis of a local industrial museum.
For
convenience; this outline deals with the collection in sections with general
examples of early domestic ironwork, cast and hand wrought. These are
chiefly quite commonplace objects, flat irons, pots, tongs and other domestic
tools, but we do have, on loan, an outstanding example of ornamental cast iron
work in the form of an early oil stove. Another interesting example of cast iron
work is a memorial plaque to a Mr. Job Barker of Lightmoor Ironworks who died in
1821, aged 65 years. Mr. Barker would no doubt have been very interested in the
launching of the first iron boat.
A
very recent addition to this section is an early draughtsman's desk which once
graced the offices of the Lilleshall Company. A large cast iron clock
face and weathervane were obtained in the hope that they came from the old
Broseley Town Hall, but inquiries have shown that they did not. Although
additions to this section would be welcome, especially any with local
connection, it does already show something of the development and range of the
use of iron for domestic purposes even before the days of canned food and motor
cars.
The
section dealing with John Wilkinson's significant contribution to the
development of machine tools and the steam engine necessarily consists of
models, diagrams and pictures. The models could be improved but only with
considerable labour or expense. However, as much of Wilkinson's work in this
direction, at least in the early stages, must have been done at Willey, a local
industrial museum should make a major feature of this section. With the
exception of the New Willey Ironworks and possibly, if we are very lucky,
Bersham, Wilkinson's various industrial activities in Shropshire, Denbigh and
South Staffordshire can only be. represented by maps and pictures.
We
do have a few relics from Willey and can reasonably expect that more will
be forthcoming in the future. We have cannon ball and an interesting plaque
which reads "??? Lord Forester Willey Park Ironworks". There is also
an example of a cast iron miner's lamp found at The Dean Farm. It is hoped that
the society will soon be in a position to make some effort in this direction. It
would be unfortunate if important finds were made by other societies or
individuals who took them out of the district.
It
is convenient to include Wilkinson's coins in this here the collection is
rather lacking, we only have two of many known variations, but at least one of
these is possibly unique. This specimen is not really a coin but a medallion
advertising Wilkinson's coinage. The obverse shows Wilkinson's head with the
normal surrounding inscription ‘John Wilkinson Ironmaster". The reverse
which, incidentally, is upside down shows a figure of Justice with seals and a
shield which bears the inscription "Engraver and Die Sinker". The
surround reads "Medals and Commercial Coins". In place of a date there
appears "??-, Pecunia" which could presumably be interpreted "My
Coins".
It
is known that Wilkinson supplied coins to other industrialists but it is usually
accepted that they were all made for him by Boulton and others. This 'find'
seems to indicate that Wilkinson did actually make at least some coins of his
own.
The medallion is in almost mint condition
but appears to, have been badly struck on an undersized blank so that some of
the letters are either truncated or missing. Whatever the reason for making it,
this specimen would have been a very bad advertisement and would hardly likely
to have been offered as such. It is fascinating to speculate was it a 'trial
run' or one made 'on the side’ and then pocketed by the workman? Does its
survival in the area indicate that it was made locally. If so is there some
truth in the loca1 tradition that Wilkinson made coins in the house near the
Lawns now known as Church View.
At
present by far the largest action of the collection concerns the Broseley and
Jackfield ceramic industries. We have a representative selection of
encaustic tiles and others from both Maws and Craven Dunnhill, together with a
complete mosaic from the latter. Also from Craven Dunnhill are some fine
ornamental tile moulds and moulds for slipware. Inquiries have shown that this
slipware was made as Christmas presents for favoured customers. Caughley is at
present only represented by broken bits of china and a maul from the Caughley
pit found 70 ft. underground. From Benthall we have flower pots and tiles but at
present no pottery.
The
Broseley clay pipe industry is represented by a very modest collection of
clay pipes which could be improved; and a few dolls arms. It appears that the
clay pipe makers made heads and limbs for the old well loved sawdust dolls.
Some effort has been made to do justice to
the great Broseley roofing tile industry and we now have specimens from eleven
of the fourteen or so tileries known to have operated. We would appeal to
members to pick up any unusual tiles they may see, especially if there is a name
on them. From the Broseley tileries we also have two attractive traveller's
samples, one a model of a hand made and one a, model of a machine made tile.
The
last major portable relic of the Broseley roofing tale industry a, tile cart,
was bought by the Society and steps have been taken to salvage the rails which
ran across the road between the Deep Pit and the Tileries. Onions Foundry in
Foundry Lane is represented by a plaque with the Royal Arms believed to be from
a patent seed sowing machine- a wooden pattern and some iron roof trusses,
purlins and rafters from the pattern shops.
We
have a rail from the Coneybury Ironworks and some parts of trams from a
mine at Benthall but as yet nothing from the great ironworks at Calcutts and
Benthall. The last and possibly most outstanding single item is a
considerable collection of Cabinet-maker's Wheelwright's and Blacksmith's
tools-, mostly from the workshop of Mr. Bert Meredith who operated in
Broseley. These are outside the pattern of the main collection but fit the
general picture of the age and are of great interest.
It
is not the policy of the Society to run a composite museum or to collect
original material better stored elsewhere. Our aim is to depict Broseley
industries and Wilkinson's contribution to the Industrial Revolution. Judging
from the comments of many visitors, we think we have had some success. On the
other hand it can be seen that the collection is by no means complete and we do
ask our members to keep an eye open for relevant material. In some cases the
Society is prepared to buy items of special interest.
The
collection, at present housed at The Lawns, can normally be seen from 2 to 4
p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Arrangements can usually be made for parties from
schools and other organisations outside these hours.
Ralph
Pee
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Our
knowledge of the industrial archaeology of the New Willey Ironworks area has
been increased by the work of Mr. Machin and others. Mr. Pee writes:-
"Although
little remains of the buildings this is perhaps the only major 18th century
ironworks site in the area which has not had a road built through it, been built
over or afforested.
But, in spite of the fact that the
site is practically unspoiled and is in the centre of 'Our Parish' we know very
little of the layout of the works. What little we do know is due to the happy
choice of the site by Mr. Bob Machin for an archaeological exercise some ten
years ago, and as members will remember, his generosity in giving us the benefit
of his discoveries at the Society's last meeting.
We
now know, without serious doubt, the site of the furnace, the coking hearths and
possibly some of the missing cottages. Without undue optimism, there does seem
some possibility that the furnace, now covered, may still be virtually intact.
Its position does however, throw some doubt on the function of the large
building close; by (now used as a dwelling):
or even if it was part of the original works at all.
There
is every hope that fresh evidence will become available at some future date and
the possibility of being able to provide some details of this historically
important works is very attractive.
It
is possible that some; of our older members may remember some physical features
or stories told of Willey Furnace. If so, do please make them known: such
knowledge is so easily lost for ever."
We
may, in fact, have something to learn from the only other comparable ironworks
site in east Shropshire - the Bedlam (Madeley Wood) Furnaces. Although there
were obvious differences (in situation, water supply, ownership, etc.), the
furnaces at Bedlam and New Willey were erected in the same period (1757-59) and
closed probably for the same reasons in the early 19th century – shortage of
raw materials, particularly iron-stone. The detailed plan of Bedlam Furnaces in
1772 and the recent excavation and restoration of the site by the Ironbridge
Gorge Museum should be of particular interest to us in our researches into the
history and industrial archaeology of New Willey.
N.J.C.
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