Allerton Bywater Pottery – Allerton Bowers History

This subject is still being researched by the history group members and can not be regarded as complete or accurate.

Allerton-Bywater pottery was located near the bottom of main street in Allerton Bywater, on the riverside, opposite what is now the Vitoria Inn.

1890 25 inch to the mile Ordnance survey map

January 9^th 1836 – Thomas Dobson & Thomas Jeffrey shown as bankrupt and insolvent in Perry’s weekly gazette. Shows as debts by Dobson.
Partnership dissolved.

PARTNERSHIP DISSOLVED
Dobson and Jefferey, Allerton Bywater, Yorkshire, stone bottle manufacturers, Allerton Bywater, Yorkshire, 2nd November – Debts by Dobson.

- The Halifax Guardian - January 9 1836

February 16 1839 Leeds Intelligencer shows pottery to be sold by auction. Property in the possession of Mr Thomas Dobson. The adjacent land in the possession of Mr Samuel Sowden. The buildings recently erected.

ALLERTON-BYWATER, near Castleford – TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by Mr. W. W. SCOTT, on Monday the 25^th Day of February Instant, at Three o’ Clock in the Afternoon, at the House of Mr Thos. Jackson Innholder, in Allerton-Bywater aforesaid, (subject to such Conditions as shall be then and there produces,) all that MESSUAGE, DWELLING-HOUSE, or TENEMENT, Workshops, Stables, and other outbuildings adjoining thereto, and which has been used as a Stone and Black Ware Manufactory, and adjoins the River Aire, and now in the possession of Mr Thomas Dobson. Also all those two cottages, with the gardens and other the Appurtenances adjoining thereto, containing by estimation 3A. 1R. (more or less,) and now in the possession of Mr Samuel Sowden. The above property are freehold, and the buildings recently erected, immediately adjoining the River Aire, eligible for any purpose where navigation is required, and may be viewed before the sale on application to the said Thomas Dobson.
Allerton-Bywater, 15^th February, 1839. [512]

- The Leeds Times - February 27 1841

February 27 1841 Sale by auction of the assignees of Mr James Wells of all household furniture and implements of trade.

SALE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, IMPLEMENTS OF TRADE, AND OTHER EFFECTS
AT ALLERTON-BYWATER POTTERY, NEAR CASTLEFORD
T. CARR respectfully announces that he is directed, by the assignees of Mr James Wells of Allerton-Bywater pottery, to SELL BY AUCTION , on Wednesday and Thursday, the 3^rd and 4^th March, 1841 (without reserve) , all his modern household furniture, comprising handsome 4-post and Waterloo bedsteads, with Moreen hangings, feather beds, mattresses, blankets, sheets, pillow cases; breakfast and tablecloths; painted dressings and wash tables, mahogany and painted drawers; night table; mahogany bed steps; dressing glasses; floor and bedside carpeting; mahogany, painted, stained dining and bedroom chairs; mahogany loo; dining and Pembroke tables; Moreen window curtains; China cut and plain; wine and spirit decanters; tumbler and wine glasses; handsome piano forte; dresser and delf case; a set of dinner service; a set of dish covers; a quantity of books; fenders and fire irons; kitchen requisites; brewing utensils; earthenware etc.
THE IMPLEMENTS OF TRADE
One Gig and harness; One new patent-armed cart and gearing; for one horse; Saddle, bridles etc; a quantity of manure etc; one wood pump; one cast iron pump; one bluging clay pump; two throwing wheels; two making wheels; two fire pan paddles; six large tubs; sifting box; stone trough (113 gallons); rein sieves; riddles; ladles; balance sticks; one lead mill; spouts; two cart covers; 245 pottery boards; scales and weights; four ring moulds; firing utensils; 1150 square feet of clay in pits; 14 tons of fire clay; 70 tons of blackware clay; 12 tons of ready made clay; 200 dozen of porter bottles; 1500 ginger ditto; eight two gallon, six one gallon, spirit ditto, 300 fire bricks, 200 quarries, half a ton of whiting, 2.5 cwt white lead, six wheelbarrows, and many other articles too numerous to insert.
Also, an excellent boat, in good condition, and capable of carrying nine tons weight.
The sale to commence each day at 11 o’ clock.
The furniture and Gig will be sold on Wednesday, the first day’s sale.

- The Leeds Times - February 27th 1841

1841 Census – William Dibb

1851 Census – William Dibb

May 1 1852 Sale of manufacturers stock etc for Mr Dibb and sons.

ALLERTON BYWATER POTTERY NEAR CASTLEFORD – SALE OF MANUFACTURERS STOCK, RAW MATERIALS, HORSES,WAGGONS, CARTS, etc.
Messrs, Child & Moss will SELL BY AUCTION, on Wednesday, May 5^th 1852 (and following day if necessary), on the Premises occupied by Messrs, Dibb and sons, at Allerton Bywater aforesaid, the whole of their stock of wares and utensils comprising 4 tons of glaze in casks, 59 tons of clay, 2 casls of white lead, large quantity of copper plates (of the most recent design) one kiln of biscuit ware and seggers, a quantity of ware in clay, 2 large iron presses, 2 laithes and gantries, working boards, glass mill, moulds of various sizes, pot blocks, turning wheel, drums and frames, large morter and pestol, dipping tubes, 2 iron pumps and piping, cask of manganese, paper, paddles, pot crates, baskets, tubs, and every requisite article for carrying on the trade of a potter, together with a good assortment of brown and blue ware.
Also, one useful brown horse, bay hackney mare, steady in harness, one narrow-wheeled waggon, patent armed cart, shaft and trace gears, brass mounted, wheelbarrow, and various other effects.
Allerton Bywater is within one and a half miles from Castleford and Methley stations, and adjoins the river Aire, having wharfage thereto, consequently the transport of goods will be cheap and expeditious.
The sale to commence at ten o’ clock a.m.
Office, 126, Westgate, Wakefield.

- Jhe Leeds Intelligencer - May 1 1852

1871 Census – Robinson

1881 Census – Thomas Robinson

2 February 1888 death of Thomas Robinson with an estate value of £814 11s 9d. to John Robinson (son)

Fire at the Pottery – May 1888

At about half past one o’ clock, Superintendent Baker received a telegram from Mr Thomas Robinson, of the Allerton Pottery, near Castleford, to the effect, “Send fire engine at once; fire raging” The new tender was at once despatched, with two horses attached, and was followed a few minutes later by the steamer, drawn by four horses. In the short space of fifty minutes the scene of the fire was reached, but it was then found that the fire had been extinguished with the exception that the ends of several of the beams were burning. These the fire brigade soon put out. The building which had been attacked was 20 yards long by eight yards broad, and the upper room, in which was stored two tons of straw, and the roof were destroyed. The damage, which is estimated at £700.00, is covered by insurance in the Liverpool and London Globe Office. The fire was caused by a pan of wax boiling over..

- The Leeds Mercury - May 4 1888

(Thomas died on January 8^th of this year, 67 years old, 4 months prior to the fire. His eldest son, John was 41 and his other son, Tom was eighteen years old)

1891 Census – John Robinson

23 February 1898 Partnership dissolved between J Robinson & T Robinson.

1901 Census – Tom Robinson

August 13 1902 Receiving orders on Tom Robinson.

September 27 1902 For sale due to bankruptcy.

IN BANKRUPTCY
For sale, by private treaty, as a going concern, the Allerton Bywater Pottery, Allerton Bywater, near Castleford, together with two cottages adjoining the pottery. For particulars and orders to inspect apply to William Clayton, Incorporated accountant, 72 Albion Street, Leeds.

- The Skyrack Courier - September 27 1902

Allerton Bywater near Castleford – To be sold by auction by Mr. R. W. Hope-Bunt at the Ship Inn, Bridge end, Castleford, on Friday the 9th day of January 1903 at 6-30 for 7 o’ clock in the evening, subject to the general conditions of sale of the Wakefield incorporated law society and to such special conditions as will be then produced and read.
All that freehold property comprising the now disused Allerton Bywater Pottery, situated at Allerton Bywater, about two miles from Castleford. The property comprises warehouses, stables with hayloft over and other buildings, and includes the boiler, engines, and shafting, and other fixed machinery now on the premises.
The property has a good wharf frontage to the river and is close to the new Silkstone and Haigh Moor Collieries. The purchaser will be required to enter into covenant not to carry on the trade or business of a pottery or earthenware manufacturer on the premises. Also, all those two freehold dwelling houses adjoining the aforesaid property in the respective occupations of Mrs Anna Robinson (Mother of John & Tom) and Mr Tom Robinson, subject to the dwelling house occupied by Mrs Robinson to her estate for life therein. The area of the above property comprises 2510 square yards or there abouts.
Also, those three freehold dwelling houses situated at Allerton Bywater aforesaid being the top the three of the block known as Providence place and in the respective occupations of Messrs James Pollard, James Tee and Thomas Newby at a gross annual rental off £44 17s.
And all those two freehold cottages situated and being at the back of the aforesaid dwelling houses in Providence place and in the respective occupation of Mrs Knowles and Mr Edginton at a gross annual rental of £16 18s.
The mines and minerals under all the properties are excepted out of the sale.
For further particulars apply to the auctioneer , King street, Wakefield, Wm Clayton, Incorporated accountant, Albion Street, Leeds, J. H. Milner, solicitor, 58 Albion Street, Leeds, or to H. Plews, solicitor, King Street, Wakefield

- John Smith

To investigate - John Robinson at the 11 acre pottery in halfacres, Castleford. Working with his son, later his brother Tom joins him.

1921 census shows John living with his son Harry. Both work at Allerton Bywater colliery. Harry as a deputy and John as a ropeman (aged 71 years old)