KINGSBRIDGE 57 



WILLIAM COOKWORTHY. 



One of the names most intimately connected with the 

 early history of the porcelain manufactures of this kingdom 

 is that of William Cookworthy, to whom that art was 

 indebted for the discovery of the two most important of 

 its ingredients (the native Kaolin, and the Petunse), and 

 to whose successful experiments and labours its excellence 

 was, and is, in a great measure, to be attributed. At the 

 time when he first made his experiments — although Dwight 

 had patented his invention for making transparent porcelain, 

 although Van Hamme, and others, had also secured their 

 rights for similar purposes, although Chelsea and other 

 places made their china (it is said of Chinese materials), 

 and although many experiments had been made on the 

 nature and properties of the earths supposed to be employed 

 for its manufacture — the art of china-making from native 

 materials was unknown, and Cookworthy pursued his course 

 of study, unaided by the experience of others ; and though 

 beset with difficulties at every turn, brought it to a 

 perfectly successful and satisfactory issue. 



William Cookworthy was born at Kingsbridge, on the 

 12th of April, 1705, his parents being William and Edith 

 Cookworthy, who were members of the " Society of Friends." 

 His father died, leaving his family but ill provided for, in 

 1718. Thus young Cookworthy, at the age of thirteen, 

 and with six younger brothers and sisters, was left father- 

 less. His mother entered upon her heavy task of providing 

 for, and maintaining her large family with true courage, 

 and appears to have succeeded in working out a good 

 position for them all. She betook herself to dressmaking, 

 and thus maintained them in comparative comfort. 



In the following spring, young Cookworthy was ap- 



