110 THE WEDGWOODS. 



of character, far superior to the boast of ancestry without 

 personal merit. He died in 1 798 at a very old age, and in 

 1828 his relict was interred beside him in Stoke churchyard. 

 Of the four apprentices to Mr. Whieldon, three commenced 

 business, and were eminently successful : Mr. Josiah Spode 

 (the first), Mr. Eobert Garner, Mr. J. Barker, and Mr. 

 Robert Greatbach," &c. 



Whieldon had already acquired a reputation for his wares 

 far exceeding that of most, or almost any, of the potters of 

 his day, and was thus as desirable a partner for Wedgwood, 

 as Wedgwood, with his exquisite taste and skill, was for 

 him. He had increased his works very considerably, and 

 was employing many hands, some of whom became eminent 

 and wealthy potters. I have now before me the original 

 account-book of hirings, and lettings of land and houses, 

 &c., of Thomas Whieldon, in which all the entries are in his 

 own handwriting, and show him to have been a man of 

 precise and careful business habits, and of good education. 

 From this highly interesting book, in which the entries 

 extend over the period from 1747 to 1754, with some entries 

 of a still later date, I shall in my next chapter make a few 

 extracts, to show the rate of remuneration paid to potters 

 in the days when Josiah Wedgwood first began business, 

 and the curious bargains and customs which were usual at 

 hirings, which, it may be well to remark, were always, among 

 potters, from Martinmas to Martinmas. 



