MADDOCK, John (c. 1807-77) was a pottery manufacturer in Burslem. John Maddock (snr.) the son of John and Sarah Maddock, was born in Burslem and baptised on 19 July1807. The firm of John Maddock was founded in the 1830's in premises in Newcastle Street, Burslem. John Maddock was in partnership with Seddon from 1839 to1842. The firm made granite ware for the American market.
John Maddock required all his employees to join a sick club. He retired from the business in the1870s. John Maddock was a member of Burslem Board of Health from 1850 to1868, and was chairman and chief bailiff 1852-3 and 1854-5. When the Baths and Washhouses Act was not adopted in Burslem in 1852 John Maddock offered to build public baths at his own expense if he could be guaranteed £50 p.a. in subscriptions. He was a member of the British Anti-State Church Association.
He married Martha nee Knowles and his children included John Maddock junior and James Maddock (see 1871 census details below). By 1871 John Maddock snr had retired and his son had taken control of the company. He died in 1877. His widow presented the mayoral chain of Burslem in his memory in 1880.
This item is a beautiful set of 6 Maddock cake plates decorated beautifully with pastel colour flowers around the rim and in the center of each plate. The rims of the plates are all decorated in a yellow and blue swag pattern all around.
Stamped underneath Maddock England.
Very feint wear and fading have occurred on some of the plates, but no visible cracks, chips or other damage.
Diameter of base: 8.3 cm, Diameter of rim: 17.2 cm
