Stoke-upon-Trent in 1817

Description from A Topographical History of Staffordshire by William Pitt (1817)

STOKE-UPON-TRENT.

Stoke-upon-Trent is the parish-town of the Potteries, inasmuch as the most important, and by far the greater part of the whole of the Potteries, are, or were, in this parish. Some portions or districts have since been made distinct parishes by Acts of Parliament. Stoke is situtuated about a mile and a half to the east of Newcastle, on the river Trent, with the Grand Trunk Canal running parallel, and passing through the town, thus affording every facility for the conveyance of heavy articles. There are several wharfs and warehouses in this town and its neighbourhood, and it has many earthenware manufactories. " From this place to Newcastle, on the right, the prospects are extremely beautiful ; and nearly at the midway, a view so populous, and at the same time so picturesque, is seldom met with" 

The Church is an ancient edifice of stone, with a stone tower. It was the mother church of most of the churches around it to the extent of several miles,  and is dedicated to St. Peter. It is a rectory, and was in the patronage of the late Rev W. Robinson, who was also incumbent. The advowson, we presume, is now vested in his executors. The Very Rev. the Dean of Lichfield and Coventry, Dr. Woodhouse, is the rector, and the Rev. Thomas Yeoman, is the present curate

The following were Chapels of Ease to Stoke, viz. Newcastle, Whitmore, Norton-on-the-Moors, Burslem, Bucknall and Bagnall. Hanley and Lane 
End still continue such. 

In the Church are some monuments to the memory of the Fentons, of Newcastle, maternal ancestors of Sir J. F. Boughey, Bart. MP and the following epitaph commemorative of the virtues of the late Josiah Wedgwood, Esq. : 

" Sacred to the Memory of JOSIAH WEDGWOOD, F. R. S. &, S.A. 

Of Etruria, in this county, Born in August 1730, Died January the 3rd 1795 : 

Who converted a rude and inconsiderable manufacture into an elegant art and an important part of national commerce. By these services to his country he acquired an ample fortune which he blamelessly and reasonably enjoyed and generously dispensed for the reward of merit and the relief of misfortune. His mind was inventive and original, yet perfectly sober and well regulated. His character was decisive and commanding, without rashness or arrogance. 
His probity was inflexible, his kindness unwearied, his manners simple and dignified, and the cheerfulness of his temper was the natural reward of the activity of his pure and useful life. He was most loved by them who knew him best ; and he has left indelible impressions of affection and veneration on the minds of his family, who have erected this monument to his memory." 

In the year 1815, a very handsome and commodious National School, for the education of 500 children of the poor in the Principles of the Established Church, was erected at this place, at an expense of nearly 1000. which sum was raised principally by voluntary contributions. It is situated at the east end of and adjoining the church-yard. 

There are two or more meeting-houses at Stoke for the Dissenters. 

The first steam-engine for grinding burned flint for the use of the potters, was established at Stoke. 

About midway between Stoke and Newcastle, is Cliffe Vale, the seat of John Tomlinson, Esq. ; and at Penkhull, is The Mount, the seat of Josiah Spode, Esq.