Knight and Wileman
of Foley Pottery, Longton
1840 John King Knight, his son John King Wood Knight and his brother-in-law George Elkin were partners in the pottery. They were recorded as "Manufacturers of Earthenware, Flint and Colour Grinders, Crate Makers, and Farmers, at the Foley Potteries in the parish of Stoke-upon-Trent"
1847 John King Knight ran the business as the sole proprietor from 1847 .
1853 J K Knight was joined in partnership by Henry Wileman. Henry Wileman was a wholesale china dealer from London.
1855 Mr. J. K. Knight, of the firm of Knight and Wileman, of the Foley Pottery[1]
1855 Mr. Henry Wileman, of the firm of Knight and Wileman, earthenware manufacturers, Longton, charged Mr. Joseph Knight, a son of his partner, with assaulting him on the 23rd of June. [2]
1856 John King Knight retired - at that time the business was employing about 220 people. See Shelley Potteries.
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- N.B. There were six 'Foley' pottery works in the Fenton area:[3]
1) The Foley China Co. These works - on the north side of King Street - were operated by Wileman and Co. (later Shelley Potteries)
2) Foley Works - On the north side of King Street, next to the Wileman factory, situated alongside Foley Street and opposite the houses in Foley Place. Operated by Goodwin, Stoddard and Co.
3) Foley Pottery - On the south side of King Street between Foley Place and Sidings Place (was Foley Road) where Wedgwood Retail Ltd is today. Operated by Barkers and Kent.
4)Foley China Works of E. Brain and Co - On the south side of King Street, on the other side of Sidings Place and right next to the Railway Hotel (now the Potters Pub).
5) The Old Foley Pottery of James Kent Ltd - On the south side of King Street, towards Longton and alongside the Foley China Works.
6) Foley Works - King Street - works of Mackee and Sons. China and Earthenware manufacturers. They operated from 1892 to 1906. (the location of this works is uncertain)
All these works have now been demolished with the exception of some of the buildings from the Shelley factory which still remain (2025)
See Also
Sources of Information
- [2] Potteries website