Longton in 1817

Description from A Topographical History of Staffordshire by William Pitt (1817)

LONGTON (& LANE END)

Lane End Is a modern and populous town, which has risen in a few years by the almost magic influence of a prosperous manufacture, to a respectable degree of opulence. This town is situated four miles to the south-east of Newcastle, and at the southern extremity of the Potteries. Large quantities of earthenware are manufactured in the extensive potteries of this town and its vicinity. 

The township of Lane-End and Longton is populous, and contains 1,032 houses, 1,079 families; 2,277 males, 2,653 females : total 4,930 inhabitants. 

Lane-End is a market town : the market is on Saturday, and well supplied with provisions. 

The Church is similar to that of Hanley, but does not appear to so much advantage, being in a comparatively low situation. We understand it was rebuilt about the year 1795. The original chapel was principally built and endowed at the charge of the late John Bourne, Esq.and was consecrated in 1764. The following memorandum may throw some light on the expense of the present building : 

Mr. Bourne was an inhabitant of Newcastle-under-Line, and as our article for that place was too copious to copy the monumental inscriptions of public characters in the Church there, we hope to stand excused by our readers in taking this opportunity of recording a just tribute of respect to a pious, benevolent man, and a benefactor to the people of Lane End. Mr. Bourne was buried at Newcastle, and in the church there, on a mural monument, is the following inscription : 

" In Memory of JOHN BOURNE, Esq. late a worthy inhabitant of this town, (Newcastle-under-Line) and one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the county of Stafford. A man very remarkable for his public spirit, and extensive liberality. His zeal for the advancement of religion appeared from several new chapels erected and endowed in this neighbourhood, chiefly at his expense. His benevolence towards men was shewn by a constant readiness to assist the needy with whatever their wants required ; and by strenuously promoting every measure which promised happiness to mankind. As a magistrate he was active and impartial, distributing justice with temper and judgment. He was kind to his relations, sincere to his friends, and forgiving to his enemies. He died a bachelor, Sept. 13, 1764, aged 73 years." 

He was maternal uncle to the Rev. John Fernyhough, B. D. who was forty-three years the respected and beloved minister of Newcastle  

Lane End Church is a Chapel of Ease to Stoke. By the resignation of the Rev. T. Cotterill, the church is now (1817) vacant. The presentation is vested in trustees. 

The living is, at present, small : though during Mr. Cotterill's ministry, from 1805 to 1817, it has been much improved, and, it is said, will be augmented considerably more. In the time of the Rev. Mr. Wright (Mr. C.'s predecessor), it was valued at about £16. a-year. The emoluments arise from upwards of 18 acres of glebe, a good parsonage-house and garden, surplice-fees, and the profits of one or more augmentations from Queen Anne's Bounty. An increased allowance was also made by the trustees, on condition, that succeeded to a fair portion of his uncle's fortune, but possessed his virtues also. 
He died March 8th, 1803, at the same age (73), was buried March 15th, at the same place, and was likewise a benefactor to Lane End chapel, inasmuch as he gave £100 on the condition, that another hundred pounds was raised, which was accordingly done by subscription ; and thus was procured one of the augmentations from Queen Anne's bounty to Lane End chapel.  It is but justice to add, that during Mr. C.'s time, and we believe chiefly owing to his exertions and esteemed ministry, an organ has been erected in the church and a good ring of bells and a clock set up in the tower. 

These instances of Longevity were extracted from the Parish Register :

Lydia Barber, died Oct. 27, 1769, aged 107 years; 

Rosamond Cook, died Sept. 23, 1774, aged 124 years ;

Elizabeth Mills, died Feb. 14, 1776, aged 100 years ;

Sampson Smith, died Aug. 11, 1780, aged 99 years; and

Sarah Rollins, died Nov. 10, 1780, aged 100 years. 

An English Charity School adjoins the Church-yard, which, according to an inscription on a stone in the wall, was built and endowed in 1760. Mr. Bourne is said to have been the founder of this charity. 

At Lane End are meeting-houses for different denominations of Dissenters. 

Lower Lane and Lane Delph present nothing remarkable, and indeed they may be properly incorporated with Lane End, of which place they form a kind of suburbs. 

On the left of Lane End, is Longton Hall, the seat of Sir John Edensor Heathcote ; and near it, Park Hall, the residence of Thomas Parker, Esq. a descendant of Lord Chief Justice Parker,