- History
- Pottery
- Industry
Josiah Spode I:Early Pottery Experience
In working for Whieldon, Spode was training with the most eminent of Staffordshire’s mid-18th century manufacturers. From fairly humble beginnings Whieldon established a large and successful business. He owned not only a pottery but also other properties including extensive lands, houses large and small, mills, and canal wharves. A number of young men who worked for, and with, Whieldon subsequently enjoyed later success. Josiah Wedgwood, Whieldon’s junior partner between 1754 and 1759, is perhaps the best known but he was not the only one to achieve fame. Josiah Spode also enjoyed an international reputation. Whieldon recorded hiring Spode in his memorandum book on April 9, 1749: Hired Siah Spoade, to give him from 2nd year 2 9 Memorandum book entries between Whieldon and Spode continued until 1754 when Spode’s wages reached 7 shillings and 6 pence a week and his earnest was a generous £1 11s 6d. The money would have been |