China manufacturer at New Market Works, Longton and from 1883 at High Street East, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

• Samuel Radford was the youngest of the four sons of Edward Thomas and Sarah Radford. In the 1861 census Samuel is listed as a ‘flower painter on China’ at the age of about 17.  

• Around 1875 he was in partnership with Joseph Amison and Joseph Perkins at the New Market Works, Chancery Lane, Longton. 

• By 1879 he was operating on his own account at the New Market Works. In the 1881 census he was recorded as employing 77 persons. 

• In 1883 Radford started to operate at a china works in High Street East, Fenton. [entry in 1951 Pottery Gazette records 'Est. 1833'.

• Radford continued at the New Market Works in Longton as Radford & Ward until 1892.

• At the Fenton Works his sons William, Samuel Jnr and Frederick all worked as clerks, Managers and warehousemen. 

• The business passed to Samuel's eldest son William. 

• In 1931 the company passed out of the family control whan it was sold to Lieutenant colonel Norman W. Elliott. The business continued with the name Samuel Radford Ltd. 

• Operation was suspended during the Second World War under the Wartime Concentration Scheme. 

• 1951 the Managing Director was Lt.-Col. N.W. Elliot; Sales Manger - W. Harper; Works Manager - F.C. Irving.

• In 1955 Norman Elliot sold the business to Stanley Harrison, the owner of Coalport China at that time. His intention was to transfer the Coalport business from the large Crescent Pottery in Stoke to the smaller Radford Works. This transfer either didn't take place or was only shortlived and by 1960 the factory had been demolished. 

• Manufacturing ceased in 1955 and the company Samuel Radford Limited was officialy dissolved in October 1966. 

Obituary
Frederick J. Radford, aged 40

We deeply regret to record the death of Mr. F. J. Radford, of the firm of S. Radford & Sons, china manufacturers, High-street, East Fenton. 

Mr. Radford died after a short illness on the morning of Jan. 11 at his residence, Westholme, Lightwood. His comparatively sudden death was a severe shock to his family, who had no reason to expect such a speedy end to a promising career. 

The deceased was present at the dinner of the China Manufacturers’ Association at Longton, on Jan. 8, when he seemed to be in his usual health. On the following morning he was taken ill, and a medical gentleman was sent for. The attack, however, quickly assumed a serious aspect, and did not yield to the treatment, though everything that could be done for him was done by his doctor and his family. He was not able to resist the attack even temporarily, and gradually became worse, till he passed away, as stated, on the Saturday following the seizure, to the great grief of his family and many intimate friends. Death is always a painful visitor, but the suddenness of Mr. Radford’s end has evoked the deepest sympathy for his widow and daughters. Such a blow is severe even when a prolonged illness has led a family to look upon it as to be expected at an early date, but when it falls with only a few hours’ warning, it is increasingly distressing to the survivors. 

The deceased was the youngest son of Mr. Samuel Radford, who commenced business at Longton, and eventually built the works now occupied by the firm at Fenton. The deceased joined his father on leaving school, and has been engaged in the industry all his business life. Like his father, he has always taken great interest in china manufacture, and as a member of the China Manufacturers’ Association he has exerted himself to improve the conditions of working the industry in the interests of the trade generally and in those of the workers. 

He loved manly sports, and was an active member of the Fenton Cricket Club, of which he was president up to the date of his death. He was also chairman of the Meir Golf Club. The deceased was on the committee of the Fenton Conservative Club, and took an active interest in the work of the Dresden Church. The funeral took place at Dresden Church on Wednesday, Jan. 15, in the presence of a large number of relatives and acquaintances. We offer our sympathy to the members of the family and the firm.

The Pottery Gazette - 1st February 1913

c. 1879-1891

c. 1883-1891 

c. 1891-1913

c. 1891-1913

c. 1924+

c. 1924+