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Thomas Potts
Thomas Potts, 1870s
Born(1824-08-12)12 August 1824
Harrogate, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died31 May 1891(1891-05-31) (aged 66)
Harrogate
Known forMonumental sculpture
Notable workGrave monuments of Sergeant Major Robert Johnston and George Dawson
Style
ChildrenEight

Thomas Potts (12 August 1824 – 31 May 1891) was a monumental mason and architectural sculptor. He was born in Kingston upon Hull, but was based during most of his working life in Goole, Leeds and Harrogate, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He is known today for two large, heavily-carved grave monuments in Grove Road Cemetery, Harrogate: the gravestone of developer George Dawson, and that of Sergeant Major Robert Johnston, a survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade..

Background

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The parents of monumental mason and sculptor Thomas Potts were the labourer-stonemason Thomas Potts senior,[nb 1][1][2] and Mary née Robson,[nb 2][1] who were both illiterate at their marriage.[3] Potts was born in Harrogate on 12 August 1824 and baptised at Christ Church, High Harrogate.[nb 3][1] The 1841 census finds him working as a stonemason and apprenticed to his father, living with his parents and siblings, near the Swan Hotel and Oak Beck Farm, Low Harrogate.[4]

Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Potts, c. 1870

In the New Street Chapel, Wetherby,[nb 4] on 24 August 1846, Potts married Elizabeth Frances Savorie, daughter of labourer Thomas Savorie of Wetherby. At the time of their marriage, Elizabeth Savorie was illiterate, signing her name with an "X".[nb 5] They had eight children: Mary Elizabeth Hawkesworth née Potts,[nb 6][5] Sarah Hannah (or Ann) Shute née Potts,[nb 7][5] Clara Alice Shaw née Potts, who was illiterate at her marriage,[nb 8][5][6] Matthew Potts,[nb 9][5][7] Phoebe Thompson née Potts,[nb 10][5] Edward Potts,[nb 11][5] Arthur Potts,[nb 12][8] and Tom Potts.[nb 13][8] Potts and his family lived in various places in Yorkshire. By 1851, Potts was a trained stonemason, and he, his wife Elizabeth and their daughters Mary and Sarah were living at 20 Low Bridge Street, in the Club Houses, Goole, West Riding of Yorkshire.[9] Ten years later, in 1861, the family was living at 33 Reuben Terrace, in north-west Leeds, in Old St Matthew's parish in Chapel Allerton. With them were their six eldest children.[5] by 1871 the family had moved to 81 Cobourg Street, an apartment above a shop or office in West Leeds, with the six youngest of their children.[8] In 1881 Potts and his wife were living on Skipton Road, Harrogate, with their sons Edward and Arthur, who at the ages of 20 and 18 years were completing their apprenticeships as masons.[10]

Potts died on 31 May 1891 at home, of asphyxia and chronic bronchitis (a possible indication of occupational silicosis),[11][12] in the presence of his daughter Phoebe.[nb 14] According to the census, in that year he and his wife were living on their own in a three-roomed house, at 57 Chatsworth Place, Harrogate. Although aged 66, Potts was still identifying himself as a monumental mason around a month before he died.[13]

Career

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1888 advertisement for Thomas Potts

In the 1850s, Potts was living and working as a stonemason in Goole.[9] In the 1860s and 1870s he was based in Leeds.[5][8] Between 1872 and 1873, one Thomas Potts was listed as a shopkeeper at 9 Shannon Street, Leeds.[14] From at least 1881 until 1890, he was working in Harrogate.[10][15] In 1888 he had a stoneyard in Cemetery Road, Harrogate. There, he was producing various types of monuments, gravestones and tablets in stone, granite and marble, and was cutting inscriptions and painting, gilding, or filling them with lead. He was also dealing in various types of stone and marble, and producing tiled hearths and stone and marble chimney pieces.[16]

In 1890, Potts was living in Chatsworth Place, trading in Grove Road and Cemetery Road, Harrogate, and was described as a monumental mason and architectural sculptor.[15] In that year he was Gazetted and received orders for bankruptcy, under the 1883 Bankruptcy Act.[17] He owed £386 12s 4d (equivalent to £42,621.35 in 2023),[18][19] but was able to pay almost half of his debts.[20]

Works

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Monument to Robert Johnston, 1885

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Monument to Robert Johnston, 1885
Monument to George Dawson, 1889

This is a gravestone monument to Sergeant Major Robert Johnston, a survivor of the 1854 Charge of the Light Brigade. It stands at the southern end of Grove Road Cemetery, Harrogate, and was constructed, inscribed and carved by Potts, who signed the monument. The work was described by the Harrogate Advertiser as "a handsome and suitable monument" to a "Balaclava hero". The large, 8-foot (2.4 m), Bolton Woods stone block weighs over 2.5 long tons (2.5 t). The top is in "broken ornament pattern", and was originally surmounted by a Maltese cross. The central inscription is framed by green granite pillars. On the lower part of the stone is a bas-relief carving reminiscent of Landseer's War picture.[nb 15] The same newspaper said, ""The manner in which this particular part of the work has been done reflects the greatest credit upon the sculptor, who has spared neither labour nor pains to give the tombstone an imposing and attractive appearance". Below the main inscription is a list of Johnston's battles, and a quotation from Tennyson's The Charge of the Light Brigade".[21]

Monument to George Dawson, 1889

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The gravestone monument to George Dawson in Grove Road Cemetery was ordered by his second wife, and carved by Potts, who signed the monument.[nb 16] Dawson was a rich builder, property developer and lay preacher who, in the words of Malcolm Neesam, "shaped the layout and architectural appearance of central Harrogate".[22]: 631–635 

Notes

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  1. ^ Thomas Potts (c.1795 – 13 July1866). GRO index: Deaths Sep 1866 Potts Thomas 71 Pateley Bridge 9a 49.
  2. ^ Mary Potts née Robson (c.1794–1856). GRO index: Deaths Dec 1856 Potts Mary Knaresbro' 9a 71. Her dates are on her gravestone in All Saints graveyard, Ripley: "died 1856 aged 62".
  3. ^ Thomas Potts (12 August 1824 – 31 May 1891). GRO index: Deaths Jun 1891 Potts Thomas. 67 Knaresbro' 9a 107.
  4. ^ The New Street Chapel, Wetherby, and its street, were renamed. It is now known as the Calvinist Chapel, Victoria Street, Wetherby. See Wetherby Civic Society: Calvinist Chapel. The present site of the chapel can be seen here.
  5. ^ Elizabeth Frances Savorie or Savary (Wetherby 1828 – 1900). GRO index: Marriages Sep 1846 Potts Thomas and Savorie Elizabeth, Knaresbro XXIII 305. The marriage certificate says: "New Street Chapel, Wetherby. 24 August 1846.Thomas Potts, 22, stonemason of High Harrogate, father Thomas Potts stonemason. X the mark of Elizabeth Savorie, 20 years, of Wetherby. Father Thomas Savorie, labourer". Deaths Dec 1900 Potts Elizabeth 73 Leeds 9b 315.
  6. ^ Mary Elizabeth Potts (1847–1871). GRO index: Births Dec 1847 Potts Mary Elizabeth Knaresborough XXIII 343. Marriages Mar 1867 Hawkesworth William and Potts Mary Elizabeth, Leeds 9b 553. Deaths Dec 1871 Hawkesworth Mary Elizabeth 24 Hunslet 9b 189.
  7. ^ Sarah Hannah Potts (1850–1926). GRO index: Births Mar 1850 Potts Sarah Bradford Y. XXIII 228. Marriages Jun 1871 Shute Charles and Potts Sarah, Leeds 9b 652. Deaths Jun 1926 Shute Sarah H. 76 Dewsbury 9b 724.
  8. ^ Clara Alice Potts (1853–1927). GRO index: Births Mar 1853 Potts Clara Bradford Yorkshire 9b 181. Marriages Sep 1875 Shaw Samuel and Potts Clara Leeds 9b 721. Deaths Sep 1927 Shaw Clara 74 Leeds 9b 389.
  9. ^ Matthew Potts (Harrogate 1855 – South Africa 28 December 1895). GRO index: Births Jun 1855 Potts Matthew Knaresbro' 9a 109. Baptised 17 February 1856 (Parents identified)
  10. ^ Phoebe Potts (1858 – 2 October 1917). GRO index: Births Mar 1858 Potts Phoebe Hunslet 9b 280. Marriages Sep 1876 Thompson Samuel and Potts Phebe (sic), Bradford Yorkshire 9b 41. Deaths Dec 1917 Thompson Phoebe 59 Leeds 9b 479.
  11. ^ Edward Potts (1860–1927). GRO index: Births Dec 1860 Potts Edward Leeds 9b 355. Deaths Jun 1927 Potts Edward 66 Leeds 9b 339.
  12. ^ Arthur Potts (1863–1916). GRO index: Births Mar 1863 Potts Arthur Leeds 9b 433. Deaths Dec 1916 Potts Arthur 53 Knaresbro 9a 133.
  13. ^ Tom Potts (1869–1874). GRO index: Births Sep 1868 Potts Tom Macclesfield 8a 141. Deaths Sep 1874 Potts Tom 5 Bradford, Yorkshire, 9b 26.
  14. ^ Potts' GRO death certificate says: 31 May 1891, at 57 Chatsworth Place, Harrogate. Thomas Potts, male, 67 years, monumental mason. Cause of death: asphyxia, chronic bronchitis. P. Thompson, daughter, present at the death. Registered 1 June 1891. Potts was buried on 2 June 1891 in Tonge Cemetery, Bolton, Greater Manchester.
  15. ^ Pott's War bas relief is after Landseer's painting of the same name. A copy of the original painting is here: File:Gwaith-Gwilym-Hiraethog-CyK (page 90 crop).jpg.
  16. ^ An inscription on George Dawson's monument says, "This monument is erected by his devoted but sorrowing widow". See File:Gravestone of George Dawson (21).JPG.

Refences

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  1. ^ a b c West Yorkshire church of England Births and Baptisms 1813-1910. Christ Church, Harrogate: Church of England. 12 August 1824. p. 62. Retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Ancestry. Thomas Potts born 12 August 1824, baptised 12 September 1824, father Thomas Potts labourer, mother Mary Potts
  2. ^ England and Wales National Probate Calendar 1866. Potts Thomas. 2 August 1866. Wakefield: HM Government. 2 August 1866. Retrieved 6 August 2024 – via Ancestry. Died 13 July 1866. Will proved at Wakefield 2 August 1866
  3. ^ North Yorkshire, Church of England marriages, Knaresborough St John the Baptist. Knaresborough: Church of England. 7 October 1821. p. 182. Retrieved 6 August 2024 – via Ancestry. Thos Potts' mark X. Mary Robson's mark X.
  4. ^ "1841 England Census. HO 107/12/85/11. Page 11 schedule 10". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. Retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Ancestry. Note: in the 1841 census, Potts' father's age is given erroneously as 35 years, when it was in fact 45 years.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "1861 England Census. 33 Reuben Terrace, north-west Leeds. RG9/33/87. Page 2, Schedule 12". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. 1861. Retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Ancestry.
  6. ^ West Yorkshire, Church of England Marriages, Woodhouse St Mark. Leeds: Church of England. 19 September 1875. p. 23. Retrieved 6 August 2024 – via Ancestry. X Clara Potts, mark
  7. ^ West Yorkshire, Church of England births, Harrogate Christ Church. Harrogate: Church of England. 17 February 1856. p. 97. Retrieved 6 August 2024. Thomas Potts is identified as a atonemason on this document
  8. ^ a b c d "1871 England Census. 81 Cobourg Street, West Leeds. RG10/4567. Page 1/28. Schedule 2". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. Retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Ancestry. Thomas (a mason) and Elizabeth Potts, with children Clara, Matthew, Phoebe, Edward, Arthur and Tom.
  9. ^ a b "1851 England Census. 20 Low Bridge Street, Club Houses, Goole, Yorkshire. HO107/2350. Page 45. Schedule 181". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. 1851. Retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Ancestry. Thomas Potts, age 26, stonemason
  10. ^ a b "1881 England Census. Skipton Road, Harrogate. RG11/4328. Page 16, schedule 87". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. Retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Ancestry. Thomas Potts (monumental mason) and Elizabeth Potts, with Edward 20 yrs, Arthur 18 yrs, both masons.
  11. ^ Donaldson, K.; Wallace, W.A.; Henry, C.; Seaton, A. (2017). "Death in the New Town: Edinburgh's hidden story of stonemasons' silicosis". Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 47 (4). Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  12. ^ Barnes, Hayley; Goh, Nicole S.L.; Leong, Tracy L.; Hoy, Ryan (13 September 2019). "Silica-associated lung disease: An old-world exposure in modern industries". Respirology. doi:10.1111/resp.13695. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  13. ^ "1891 England Census 57 Chatsworth Place, Harrogate. RG12/3521. Page 19/60. Schedule 127". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. Retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Ancestry. Thomas Potts (monumental mason) and Elizabeth Potts.
  14. ^ Porter, Thomas, ed. (1873). Porter's Directory of Leeds, 1872-1873. Leeds: Provincial Directories & Co. p. 113.
  15. ^ a b "The Bankruptcy Act 1883". Huddersfield Daily Chronicle. 12 April 1890. p. 8 col.6. Retrieved 25 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "Thomas Potts". Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald. 7 July 1888. p. 1 coll.3. Retrieved 2 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ^ "Gazette notices. The Bankruptcy Act 1883. Reveiving orders". Yorkshire Evening Press. 12 April 1890. p. 2 col.4. Retrieved 25 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Thomas Potts, monumental mason, Harrogate". Commercial Gazette (London). 23 April 1890. p. 191/29 col.2. Retrieved 25 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ^ "Harrogate. Failure of a sculptor". Yorkshire Gazette. 26 April 1890. p. 9 col.2. Retrieved 25 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ "The Late Sergeant Major Johnston". Harrogate Advertiser. 8 December 1885. Retrieved 1 August 2024. (This link is a faithful copy of the 1885 newspaper text, which is out of copyright. However it was a Saturday newspaper, so the correct date should be either 5 December or 12 December.)
  22. ^ Neesam, Malcolm G. (2022). Wells & Swells, the golden age of Harrogate Spa, 1842–1923, vol.1 (1 ed.). Lancaster, England: Carnegie Publishing. ISBN 9781859362389.
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Media related to Thomas Potts (sculptor) at Wikimedia Commons



Category:1824 births Category:1891 deaths Category:English male sculptors Category:19th-century British male artists Category:People from Harrogate Category:People from Leeds Category:Culture in West Yorkshire Category:Culture in North Yorkshire Category:People from Kingston upon Hull Category:History of Yorkshire Category:British architectural sculptors Category:Monumental masons

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