Development of Lane End

LANE END, the market town at the southern limit of the district, is four miles south-east of Newcastle. For many years it was notable for the great irregularity in the position of its buildlings; of every size and sort, from the respectable residence of the manufacturer, to the mud and sagger-hovel of the pauper, scattered over a wide extent of territory. But in comparatively recent times, under the almost magic influence of a prosperous manufacture, improvement has commenced, the buildings are regular in size and position, and the place has risen into a respectable station in the scale of Staffordshire Towns. 

Coal and Ironstone mining

Much of of the town and neighbourhood is (like Shelton) undermined by the Collieries, which are yet in a considerable degree of prosperous operation. And about three years ago, W.H. Sparrow, Esq., of Wolverhampton, commenced working a Furnace for reducing the ironstone, found in vast quantities in the Plackett's Brook Colliery; and which promises ample remuneration for the principal expended by the spirited proprietor.— The traveller from Uttoxeter to Newcastle scarcely has a glimpse of any but its old buildings, along the High Street, and on towards the Foley; hence we have heard it much censured as a poor, dirty, and irregular village, but, the fact is quite otherwise; there are as many, if not more new houses, of very recent erection, and as goodly a proportibn of respectable tradesmen's residences in Lane End, as in any of the other Towns in the Potteries.

The Church

The Church is a recent edifice, having heen erected in 1795, in place of a former one principally built and endowed at the charge of the late John Bourne, Esq., in 1764; as already mentioned with Hanley Old Church. It is a Chapel of Ease to Stoke, and was enlarged in 1828, by private donations. The emoluments arise from some glebe land, surplice fees, Queen Anne's Bounty, and a very excellent parsonage house and garden, to the amount of near £200. 

There is a New Church in contemplation, to be erected in the upper part of the town, by a grant from Commissioners under an Act of Parliament for erecting New Churches.

Schools

At the west end is the English Free School, founded in 1766, chiefly thro' the munificence of Mr. Bourne. 

On the east side is the National School, which will contain 500 children, and was founded through the active exertions of Ralph Bourne, Esq., the site of the land was given by the Most Noble the Marquis of Stafford. 

When the customary forms had been observed, Mr Bourne shortly addressed the Committee, stating his lively interest in such institutions, and his conviction of their utility, and expressed also readiness to contribute £50 more towards an extension of the School for 1200 children; which sum was transferred towards the enlargement of the Church in 1828, for the accommodating the poor, the Society in London having voted £800, and the Dean of Lichfield given £50. 

The following inscription was engraved on the plate deposited in the stone :

RALPH BOURNE, Esq. 
of
Hilderstone Hall, in the
County of Staflord,
The Corner Stone of
THE NATIONAL SCHOOL,
dedicated
to the sacred purpose of Instructing the Poor,
Was deposited
on Monday, June 10, A.D. 1822.

Other Chapels

The Papists have at Green Dock a small Chapel, and a school Room attatched, with a neat house for the Priest. There are Six Chapels for Dissenters, of moderate size; and with Sunday Schools for children, instructed by gratuitous teachers.

Market Places

There are two Market-Places; the one at the four Lane Ends, near the Church, is the place for the regular Saturday's Market; which is well supplied with all kinds of marketable produce, meat, and manufactures. 

Here are permanent Shambles, and Stalls, adapted for the several purposes of Butchers and Tradesmen; and every encouragement and accommodation is given to those who sell,— the produce of the Tolls received from the Stalls, being appropriated to the benefit of the town at large. 

Adjoining is Mr. G. Forrester's Manufactory, which appears to have been the first in which a regular plan for the arrangement of the separate places for the distinct processes was adopted. It is not large, but very convenient.

At the other upper Union Market-Place, used only for the Fairs, which always are the day after those at Newcastle, there is the Union Hotel, and a spacious Market Hall, usually appropriated to any public meetings of the inhabitants. 

In the Union Market-Place, is Mr. H, Simpkin's Manufactory, for a superior kind of Porcelain. He is well known for his many public and private virtues, and his house, near Steels Nook, is a beautiful tho' small edifice, with gardens of delightful arrangement for Flowers and Fruit, 

Manufactories 

The other Manufactories belong to Messrs. Mayer & Newbold, J. Locket & Sons, J. Hulme & Sons, Bailey & Co. Bridgwood, Goodwin & Orton, L. Cyples, Martin & Cope, A. Shaw, J.Shaw, T. & J. Carey, and some others. 

That of J Hulme & Sons is well arranged for every purpose; and has a Flint Mill close adjoining. The Waterloo factory is regular and capacious; well situated for Coals and Marl. Those of Messrs. T. & J. Carey, are well adapted for a considerable portion of Business; and have a powerful Steam Engine and Mill connected with them. 

In the High Street is the manufactory of Mr. W. Turner; doubtless one of the most experienced Manufacturers which have lived in the district. Indeed we know not of any other who will bear placing along with E. Wood, & T. Minton, Esqs.—In a subsequent part of this work we have again to notice this gentleman.

Residences

On entering Lane End from Uttoxeter, the first House worthy of notice is that of Samuel Jackson Hughes, Esq , a neat and spacious residence, in outward appearance a correct representation of the unassuming character of its owner; who, while possessed of considerable wealth, regards every man as his fellow, and in his relative situation as one of the rulers of the town, is ready in every instance to promote the general good, even when himself has been called to make individual sacrifice. The parish at large, as well as this part of it, will long enjoy benefit from his zeal and patriotism.

At Lightwood, the southern extremity, resides William Bailey, Esq., one of the first who made lustre Pottery, by which, with the branch of Enamelling, himself and partner (W. Batkin, Esq.) have been successful in acquiring very competent fortunes. He is justly esteemed for his piety; and in this neighbourhood his philanthrophy has been evinced extensively during more than a quarter of a century.—

And in Steel's Nook is the neat and elegant residence of W. Batkin, Esq. abovementioned. In every Institution for promoting the welfare of Mankind, and especially for ameliorating the condition of the poor, his name ranks among the Benefactors; thus is his liberality known to all men;'' and he is an excellent specimen of the followers of the "meek and lowly Jesus." 

At Green Dock is the residence of John Robinson, Esq., who to the highest character of a tradesman and manufacturer, is allowed to connect a most assiduous energy to benefit the whole Parish. Having several times filled the office of principal Overseer for this part, the zeal and ability he has always manifested, in protecting the helpless, and redressing grievances, has secured the applause of the neighbourhood; while the sincere piety and urbanity of his private life, render him at once a kind and valuable benefactor and friend. 

On the road to Stoke is the spacious residence of C. Harvey, Esq., now a Banker: formerly a most extensive manufacturer. The House was erected by the late Wm. Garner, son of Robert Garner, of the Row Houses manufactory. Mr. Harvey is well known, and equally respected for his private social virtues, and his public spirit. 

Mr. J. Carey's House is rather elegant, and has its appearance improved by being placed on an island in a large reservoir, that supplies condensing water for the Steam Engine at the Mill, where are ground flour, and the various materials and colours for the manufactories ; and when the engine is working, a single jet fountain throws up warm water several feet high. There are a beautiful small bridge, gates, large cannons, &c. but the whole is exposed to the smoke of the manufactories. The proprietor is highly esteemed for many excellencies of character as a master and friend.

In mention of the virtues of persons in this work, should not cause the opinion to lie entertained, that they only are of excellent character in the several places; neither should it be regarded as invidious. Doubtless, as many worthies may be found in the Potteries as in other Towns of the same extent. But we can only truly state what we personally are acquainted with, and we have endeavoured to faithfully discharge our duty to the public.