rel 18 St. Peter’s Stoke Rectory Act 1827.
£7.00An Act to authorize a Sale to the respective Land Owners of all Tithes and Rectorial Dues belonging to the Rectory of
Stoke-upon-Trent in the County of Stafford; for endowing Two new Churches; and for other Purposes. [21st June 1827.]
An incredable document of thirty opages which includes a large amount of descriptions of Glebe Land belonging to the Rector, which inclome was being designed to help to build a number of new Anglican Churches in its ancient parish. This Act on 1827 in an historians dream come true.
pop 5 The Changing Nature of Population – a study.
£7.00At twenty-nine pages this is one of the largest studies undertaken and comprises of every aspect of population, growth, occupations, age grouping within five different North Staffordshire areas. The hearth tax is listed with four years of records for comparisons listed against names so family changes can be noted. It commences with the importance of the first survey of the Manor of Newcastle under Lyme (available on this site), Muster Rolls and census returns whereby a complete comparative analysis is done in age groups, marriage over 16 years of age, births and deaths, places of birth and occupations listing all houses in census returns. Gregory King, the author of so many populations theories whereby summery is given on the population of Penkhull and other nearby villages in 1679. The research for this study is way above anything that has been done prior to this and will prove a huge influence for students on how to reflect and study the subject. It is also a tremendous help to those starting to study population trends and statistics or those who are keen to learn more of what can be achieved on this subject.
Twenty-nine pages
por 6 Long Report 1862 of the employment of children in the potteries.
£7.00The Longue Report is one that I discovered by accident and very little work has been carried out is analysing the data to create an informed picture of the potteries in 1863. I have used this widely and recommend its use by students of social, economic and child exploitation in the 19th century. It covers areas of employment of young children in the potteries, age, working conditions, punishment, hours of daily work, contributions by children and employers. A great study of life is unfolded. and follows on and updated from that of the Scriven Report of 1843.
PDF 97 pages
war 4 Keep the Home Fires Burning.
£6.00This is probably the most researched article written within this archive consisting of twenty-six pages, 17,000 words with loads of photographs in support. It is a unique record of the war years of a small village called Penkhull in the Potteries and diligently records all the coming, goings and changes that occurred in the village during the second world war and frequently with the names of people involved at the time.
All the material, meticulously researched some fifty odd years ago by personal recorded interviews of residents, former members of the home guard, local pub licensee and notes taken from a running description of how the war affected the lives of those who lost loved ones as well as all the restrictions on a familiar way of life over six years from a few notes of the time written by the vicar Rev. V G Aston in the parish magazine. It’s an intimate and accurate record of the time when bombs were dropping on the village and the nearby hospital, the antics of the home guard from their lookout from the church tower in the centre of the village.
It records sad times as the first boy from the village who was killed in the war returned and his coffin brought into church in the middle of Evensong, a heart rendering experience repeated so many times, each with the pain of loved ones evident. Occasionally news arrived from soldiers from the village who sent cards home to say that they were OK or had now become prisoners of war. In many cases the news of events was difficult to put into words. The study looks at the almost daily how life changed following the announcement that we were at war which was listened too in a packed church that very morning at 11 a.m.
The effects of food rationing, street lighting, distribution of gas masks and all other restrictions on schools, football matches, and cinema opening and loads more. This short history is true reflection, probably the only major contribution to the history of the war as seen through the eyes of local people and now compiled directly from my original studies held over for eighty years. Now it could be the last ‘VE Day’ event for all to share and so bring to life my studies of yesteryear for all to read and understand just how the effects of war changed life and priorities is now a read for everyone.
man 42 Courts throughout Reginal years
£6.00This extensive document containing twenty-seven pages was a huge project in extracting from the court rolls entries between the year 1414 and 1806.
The variety of court cases that appeared before the manorial courts – first at the castle at Newcastle and then at what is now the Greyhound Inn, Penkhull is fascinating and here just a few of the items covered as an example: Frankpledge Reports for each of the areas within the manor, names and details of the Open Fields within the former Manor of Penkhull, The Great Court entries, over-stocking the common, attempted murder, occupants of Shelton Mill, Village Stocks and the uses they were used for by law, The Commonwealth period and Maj. Gen Thomas Harrison and the rebel’s army and his home at Newcastle under Lyme, encroachment of cottages, the use of payne’s for fines for work not completed, Twyfords and the Greyhound in 1729.
This is not a complete list but illustrates just what is included and a perfect introduction for manorial studies for schools, colleges and universities.
rel 3 Church or Chapel – how two denominations developed together in Penkhull.
£6.00It was in 1832, when the first move was made to provide an Anglican Church in Penkhull, a village ion the top of a hill. The parish church of St Peter-ad-Vincula was situated around one mile away in the valley below. It was used weekdays as a school and Sundays for worship and situated in what is now the north side of the present churchyard. In 1842 the present church of St. Thomas was built to accommodate and expanding congregation.
Probably as a direct result and with the predominant number of working people in the village, the first Primitive Chapel was erected within a stone’s throw from the one in the churchyard although many were worshiping in houses by that time. The new chapel was opened in 1836 (still standing) but there were serious financial issues almost from day one to finance the building.
Following the establishment of the church in 1842, by 1844 the church established a National School just across the road. Then in the 1850’s because of the high number of children wishing to attend the Primitive church, an additional separate but attached Sunday School was built.
The story continues to include the parish registers and many different views between the two denominations which went on for years. This twenty-seven-page essay places both church/chapel within the national framework and far much more. This is an important essay for students of religious worship and community relationships of the time.
twenty-seven pages with photos
rel 1 A brief history of the Parish of Stoke upon Trent.
£6.00The history of St. Peter’s Church, Stoke-upon-Trent dates from at least the sixth century as a Saxon Cross still stand high in the churchyard. In fact, it was the wealthiest parish in the UK in 1296 because of all the glebe land it owned. Not only was there a Saxon church but also a Norman Church, the arches of which were rebuilt in the late 19th century exactly on the spot of the original Norman Church.
By the late 17th century, the population of the pottery towns started to expand with workers coming in from the countryside. Slowly it became impossible for the church at Stoke to serve such a large parish. As a consequence, the church was divided into a number of separate Rectories with Glebe to support the Rector of the new parishes.
By the early 19th century, the old church in Stoke became totally inadequate to accommodate the demand, and the decision was taken to erect a new church on glebe land to the north of the existing churchyard. It was dedicated in 1834 with a capacity to seat over 2,000 worshippers.
This essay continues to expand on the churches origins near to the Trent and Fowlhey Brook and covers subject like the Rectory water Mills on the Trent, the list of rectors from the 12th century although the church was listed at the time of Domesday in 1086. A number of rectors were appointed by the Crown for services rendered, in fact, one never set foot in England but was in receipt of the church tithes. Interesting facts are also discussed from the church registers and the In Memory of tiles that surround the church interior walls which make fascinating reading.
Thirteen pages packed full of information and photos
pub 22 That’s Entertainment –Newcastle and Pottery Theatre 1788-1957.
£6.00Dr Richard Talbot, MBE, F.R.Hist.S., is one of Staffordshire’s leading historians having studied history from the age of eighteen, first gaining a Master of Philosophy degree at Keele University, followed by a PhD at Leicester. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, well-known broadcaster, documentary producer, lecturer, and regular contributor to the local media.
That’s entertainment is not a history of the building, it’s a complete package of several disciplines’ which will attract local inhabitants, students of theatre history and development, social history of the period and how this addressed itself in theatre attendance. Not only that, but Dr. Talbot also expands his work by using examples within the limits of theatre development at the time.
This study illustrates the challenges of competition and how that was tied into the social fabric of the town, followed by improvements in transport from the mid-1900s. In fact, it is a complete social history combining theatre, localities, social habits, and class distinction which was an integral part of society for most of the theatres existence.
The Newcastle and Pottery theatre was the first purpose-built theatre in North Staffordshire and its interior design based upon the Olympic Theatre in London, and a fine example of provincial theatre architecture of the period.
A5 format 76 pages inc photographs. Good presentation booklet Price £6 inc postage to clear remaining stock.
pub 19 Scriven Report – employment of children in the potteries 1843.
£6.00The Scriven Report on the Employment of Children within the Potteries is a well-used report over many years for students of economic and social history as well as many local history classes and quoted frequently in books of the early years of the ceramic industry in the potteries when child labour was at its highest. Contains many statistics as well as report from children themselves as young as six on the hours of work, their pay and importantly how they were treated by their employer. In addition, it refers to the health of the children, home existence food and certainly the lack of any education except Sunday School at one of either the Methodist or Anglican churches, that’s if they had decent clothes to go in. A remarkable asset to any study of the potteries.
PDF 228 pages
pub 18 The Rawlinson Report – sanitation conditions of Stoke-upon Trent 1850.
£6.00The Rawlinson Report – sanitation conditions of Stoke-upon Trent 1850. Little is known of this report therefore as a result the information contained within has remained almost hidden away and yet it is the most important eighty-five-page report into the sewage, drainage, supply of water and the sanitary conditions of the inhabitants of the Potteries.
Within this document there are summaries of mortality in five towns of the potteries from 1839 to 1848. It also includes population statistics as well as calculations between male and female. But the reports continue with how much is pain in out-relief per week to the poor and other reports.
Each of the five towns have a separate report on its health, graveyards, poor law expenditure by district, water supply, drainage, sewage, slaughterhouses, outside privies etc. by Mr. Rawlinson but with it he lists reports from many important residents including Doctors on the consequences to the health with killer diseases in the water and poor sanitation. My view is that this report is a snapshot of the pottery towns for the 1840’s and it does make an excellent read of actual life in the potteries in the 1840s.
This document is a perfect item to analyse, to debate and to draw conclusions from and certainly an extraordinary piece of work for 6th form colleges, university students, as well as local history classes. This is probably the most informative documents every published as to the state of the potteries in 1850.
Eighty-five pages
pub 17 Longe Report – employment of children in the potteries 1862.
£6.00This is an updated version of the Scriven Report of 1843 and the layout, and contents are the same, but different people have been interviewed with different results. This, like the Scriven report presents a unique, well documented comprehensive report of children working in the pottery industry. In many of the testimonials of young children it’s a moving testimony of life and to read just how children were treated by their masters, some even whipped with a clay cutting wire. The home life was a form of existence and the only opportunity to learn to read and write was at a church Sunday School frequently of the Methodist tradition but also the Anglican church without which there would be nothing. This report is a valuable contribution to the social and economic life in the potteries and would make an ideal study for students or local history groups to assimilate. This is a major source of original documented evidence.
ninty-seven pages
pop 4 Stoke and Chell Workhouse Populations a study.
£6.00This study studies the details of both Stoke and Chell workhouses from 1871-1901. It is a major piece of research listing not only the percentages of ages, family status, gender, occupation and place of birth. Each subject is supported by percentages to enable an immediate indication of the severity in both workhouses and the year covered making comparatives between the two possible. Surnames are listed first, then second names and their relationship with the head or other status such as lodger are given.
The objective of this study is to ascertain the causes, implications and consequences of each set of figures which presents a wide view of what was happening within the whole of the potteries. For example, a large number of inmates in workhouses is a compelling sign that the economy and employment levels the potteries are at a high and order books low, hence unemployed with no income at all therefore the poor had to seek poor relief or starve. But if the numbers resident in workhouses were lower at various times, the indication is that employment within the district is doing well.
There are various permutations to each category, each of which the author offers his knowledge in explaining as to why. A further important study and is a perfect contribution to social, economic research as well as that of expanding the technique of making accurate findings for debate and also family research.
Eleven x A4 pages
pen 1 Penkhull Cottage Homes – A full and moving account of life.
£6.00This contribution is a full account of the history of what was known as Penkhull Children’s Homes situated off Newcastle Lane in Penkhull dating from the early 19th century. The first reference of a cottage home records the pressing need for home for children away from the workhouse community which was not conducive to a good upbringing for young children. It covers every aspect of home life, from accommodation, punishment, food, education, religious worship, birthdays, Christmas, V E Day celebrations, Muster Community Hall, brass bands and their importance, and lastly what happened to the children when they reached sixteen years of age. It’s a huge contribution to social history, never previously attempted in North Staffs being the children’s largest home in the area.
Thirty-two x A4 pages and pictures
man 36 Reeve’s Book 1676-1826
£6.00This transcribed copy of the Reeve book from 1676-1826 is a great asset to the researcher. It gives in detail the years of the Reeve in office and lists of all the 18 original homesteads listed in 1086 with a full description of the plot and the current tennent. From this record a full account of the occupant each year. From this document a complete profile of Penkhull may be achieved with the information given.
Ten x A4 pages long
hea 8 Stoke and Wolstanton workhouse population 1851-1891.
£6.00Stoke and Wolstantion workhouses population. A study of the trends within the inmate population of both Stoke and Wolstanton workhouses and their causes.
This essay is twenty-seven pages long and containing nearly twelve thousand words. It is one of my major studies on the poor law of Stoke-on-Trent with two workhouse one at Stoke south, the Spittals operated  under the Stoke upon Trent Poor Law Union and the other in the north under the Wolstanton and Burslem Poor Law Union called Chell workhouse. The statistical information is extracted from the census enumerators returns and is an important ingredient into the study of Poor Law and for the purpose of an accurate analysis. The data extracted presents statistical information upon which conclusions are drawn on each workhouse illustrating areas of conformity and the differences found. Each entry was meticulously copied from census enumerators returns directly into spreadsheets where an analytical approach gives up their secrets to identify facts, figures, and trends. This contextualised data provides the means of assessing both the social history perspective and the influences of the Local Government Board and guardians of the poor placed into their care.
The period reflects that of six decades for the Stoke and Wolstanton Workhouses (1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901) providing a prospective between two locations situated six miles apart but serving one industrial conurbation. The findings will be evaluated for the relevant years (1871-1901). The 1851 census will be used as a benchmark for this data. Stafford and Newcastle-under-Lyme workhouse figures for 1881 will be used as a comparison. It is argued by Goose that despite the census returns are only factual once in every ten years that in fact variations during that period can be considerable producing a very different set of figures:
The Census returns provide us with information at one fixed point in time a perfectly valid historical perspective in its own right but one that masks the considerable coming and goings that the admissions register reveal, either through seasonal fluctuations or because of the activities of incorrigible individuals. As the census will capture higher proportions of long-term residents, it will undoubtedly tend to understate the proportions of individual working age, which feature in greater numbers in the admissions registers but who individually remained in the workhouse for much shorter periods.
This is a short evaluation of what it is all about, not only is it an insight to life in the workhouse system of the time but the basis for a student to formulate their own conclusions of what trends and qualities that each workhouse shared etc. Make a great project for a local history club.It is a perfect example for 6th form or university humanities studies. Also a great asistance to tutors.
This essay is ten pages long and a huge word count of over 12,000 words.