• The 'founder' of the Baddeley family of potters. Some of his sons and grandsons were named William and so the father is referred to as William Baddeley (I) for clarity. 

• About 1740, having invented an "engine-lathe," [note] he began to make "turned articles in cane and brown ware..."  

• He had two sons - John Baddeley who continued the business of lathe making and William Baddeley (II) who continued pottery manufacture. 

"Baddeley. — About 1720 William Baddeley (an old name in the district) commenced making brown ware at Eastwood, Hanley. 

About 1740, having invented an "engine-lathe," he began to make "turned articles in cane and brown ware. He was succeeded in the pottery by his son, William Baddeley; his other son, John Baddeley, taking the business of the lathe making, by which he acquired a competency,..

Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain, 1878, p 401.

Note on the use of the term "engine-lathe" -

"The normally reliable Mr. Jewitt, by use of one word, has most likely further confused researchers looking for the origin of engine turning in the Staffordshire potteries. 

By employing the term “engine-lathe,” Jewitt suggests a very early date of 1740 for the introduction of this machine. It is more likely, however, that the “engine-lathe” he refers to is what we now know as a simple turning lathe. 

Archaeological findings at the Shelton Farm site of John Astbury confirm that turning lathes were in general use prior to the middle of the eighteenth century, yet no evidence, archaeological or otherwise, suggests the use of engine turning in the Staffordshire potteries prior to the late 1760s."

Chipstone, article [retrieved 17 April 2026]