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Tontine Square
In 1893:
Mr. J. W. Moore, Family Chemist, 10, Tontine
Square, Hanley
Mr. J. W. Moore, Family
Chemist, 10, Tontine Square, Hanley
"One of the most popular pharmaceutical
establishments in Hanley is that conducted by Mr. J. W. Moore, who, as a
family and dispensing chemist, enjoys a reputation second to none in this
populous centre. The growing requirements of his business have led Mr. Moore
lately to remove from his old premises in Market Square to a new
establishment which he has opened as the Phoenix Pharmacy.
This is very centrally situated in Tontine Square, and comprises a handsome
double-fronted shop..."
"The business is one of the oldest as well as most important in the
district, having been founded in 1820..."
Mr. James Goodson,
Boot and Shoe Manufacturer,
7, Tontine
Square, Hanley
Thomas Allbut -
printer, publisher and newspaper owner
In 1796 John Allbut
(Thomas's father) bought the printing business of John Mort of
Hanley (the printing business was founded by John Strahan the first
bookseller in the Potteries)
In 1800 Thomas Allbut
published "A view of the Staffordshire Potteries" - this
volume consists of a descriptive chapter "The History of the
Staffordshire potteries", followed by "A Directory Containing and
Alphabetical List of the names and Places of Abode of the Gentlemen,
Tradesmen, Shop-Keepers, etc, etc in the Staffordshire Potteries"-
it only contains six pottery manufacturers.
1824 - Thomas Allbut
founded a newspaper The Staffordshire Mercury (later named The
Potteries Mercury).
Thomas succeeded his
father as the librarian and treasurer of the 'Potteries Subscription
Library' which was housed in his shop in Market Square, Hanley.
(When Thomas retired the library was merged with the Mechanics'
Institute.
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THE POTTERY
SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY
"We cannot,
however, acquit ourselves of passing over, without a distinct
notice, the oldest literary institution within the district,
established, about fifty years ago, and still kept up under
the title of "THE POTTERY SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY," which is
supported by a considerable body of members and subscribers,
of the upper classes, in Hanley, Shelton, and the
neighbourhood.
This Library
contains about 3,000 volumes, and consists of the best
publications in history, geography, voyages) travels, novels,
and miscellaneous literature, which have issued from the press
within the last half-century, with others of earlier date, but
excludes divinity, law, and physic.
The property
of the Institution belongs to the members, about 60 in number,
who are elected by ballot, and pay a premium of two guineas
each on admission, and a subscription of one guinea per annum,
they choose a committee of management, who decide on the
purchase of books recommended. The rules are framed with
proper regard to the character of the books as well as the
members. The Commissioners of Public Records have bestowed
on this Library a series of their valuable publications, which
are the only antiquarian works it possesses.
The
depository is at the shop and premises of Mr. Thomas Allbut,
Hanley, who has held the office of librarian and treasurer
about forty years, and succeeded Mr. James Straphan, the first
bookseller in the Potteries, who commenced the Library in the
year 1790."
The Borough
of Stoke-upon-Trent John Ward, 1843 |
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Owners and
partnerships in the printing business
Tontine Square / Market Sq |
|
1786-88 |
John Strahan (Straphan?)
-founder. |
|
1788-96 |
John Mort |
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1796-1800 |
John Allbut
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1800-06 |
Allbut & Son [John
&Thomas Allbut (son of John Allbut)] |
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1806-1811 |
Thomas Allbut |
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1811-1813 |
Thomas Allbut and
George Gibbs |
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1814 - |
Thomas Allbut
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1832-1852 |
Thomas
Allbut & Son [Edwin Allbut (son of Thomas)] |
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1848-1850 |
Thomas & Edwin
Allbut & Robert Hobson |
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1851 |
Allbut & Son |
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Dec 1852 |
Edwin Allbut |
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1853-1902 |
Allbutt and Daniel
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1902-14 |
Wiment and Watkins
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1914 - |
Webberley Ltd - in
1924 Webberley moved from Tontine Sq. to Percy Street, Hanley. |
The Allbut
printing works (right) in Tontine Square
when in the ownership of Wiment & Watkins (1902-14)
Note the tram lines on the road.
In the gap (to the left of the printing works) can be seen Market
Square
On the corner is The Grapes, then the District Bank (now the
National Westminster Bank)
and the shop with the awnings was J. D. Furnival (Dispensing Chemists)
(now Boots)
View of Woolworths in Parliament Row
from Tontine Square
c. late 1960's
- photo Ken Cubley -
View from Market Square, through
Fountain Square to
Tontine Square - Old French Horn in the background
c. late 1960's
- photo Ken Cubley -
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