Whiston Pottery

At the rear of what is now the Quarry Inn Public House on Pottery Lane, once stood Whiston Pottery. The Pottery, which dates from 1798, produced everything from coffee pots to chamber pots. It ceased production in the early 1900's.

The houses of Victoria Row, and those now standing at the corner of Whiston Lane were the homes of both pottery workers and local coal miners. The road in this vicinity (still existing) leads to a tunnel under the railway at Ridings Colliery Bridge, which gave access to a colliery of that name.

The 1881 census data shows William Hardman (50) his wife, Jane (38) and their children, Rachel (19), Richard (17), Ellen (14), Jane (12), John (7), Margaret A. (5) and Ann (3) living there. Rachel was listed as a Potter and her brother Richard was a Labourer at the Pottery.

Rachel Hardman, my great-grandmother, was born on December 22nd, 1861 at the Pottery, Whiston, Lancashire.

It was probably directly through the Pottery business that Rachel met the young Joseph Weldon, or Welding as he is listed on some documents. Joseph was from nearby Prescot (about three or four miles away) and occupation (in the 1881 census listing) was also that of a Potter.

Joseph Weldon was born on June the 5th, 1859 at Toll Bars, Prescot, Lancashire.

Within three years of the 1881 census on the 2nd June 1884, Rachel and Joseph were married at the Whiston Parish Church