Harpsford Brickworks

More than a century and a half ago, a Brickworks existed between Chetton and Bridgnorth named ‘Harpsford Colliery Company’.

Below is information about the old brickworks and its history (by David Poyner).

Bridgnorth Journal and South Shropshire Advertiser. - Saturday 25 October 1856 HARPSFORD COLLIERY COMPANY, TO ANNOUNCE to the inhabitants of Bridgnorth, and its vicinity, that they have taken the working of the above Colliery on more extensive scale than heretofore, thereby enabling them to offer Coals at a very low price. Large Coals, Delivered in the town at 12s. per Ton. They have a large stock of WELL MADE BRICKS always on hand.

Orders received by Mr. E. Crump,5, St. Mary’s Street. Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth Journal, Jan 16th 1858. Edwin Bailey Reese, of Harpswood Farm, charged Job Yates, brickmaker, with assault. Considerable ill will between Reese and Mr Crump, master of Yates with regard to working a brick kiln near Reese’s house; Reese was frequently insulted by Yates and boys at the work. Yates had allowed a donkey belonging to him to stray onto Reese’s land.

Wellington Journal - Saturday 09 February 1861 Mr. Crump, of the Harpsford Colliery, was Charged by Police-constable Cash with having used, on the 25th January, a cart without having on it the names the owner. For the defence it was said that the vehicle had been recently purchased, and that the late owner’s name had been taken off. but that they had neglected add another with the proper name. Fined 4d. and 6s. 8d. costs.

Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 09 August 1861 Eli Jones, employed by Crump at Harpsford colliery and brickyard, convicted of driving without reins

Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 04 September 1863 “All Work and no Play.”— William Meredith was summoned, on the information Police-constable Moran, for having been at work on Sunday, the instant, Harpsford Brick Works.—Mr. Burbury, for the defence, stated that this was not a case contemplated the Legislature —wherein no work should be performed on Sunday—-this was one necessity, inasmuch when bricks arrived a certain state of hardness, they had be carefully protected from rain, or else they would become worthless reason of the comers and sharp edges being washed off. This was proved by evidence adduced, and the Bench dismissed the case as being a work of necessity, and therefore not coming within the intention of the law, but requested the master of the works to prevent as much as possible all labour on his premises Sundays in future. Meredith was Crump’s servant, had worked for him for several years, very steady and did not drink. It was raining when he was working.

Bridgnorth Journal and South Shropshire Advertiser. - Saturday 12 March 1864 BRICK, TILE, and PIPE WORKS, HARPSFORD. near BRIDGNORTH. SALE of MINING and BRICK-MAKING IMPLEMENTS. also 2 High Pressure Steam ENGINES, complete, HORSES, PONIES, CARTS, Etc. MESSRS. NOOK & WILSON A RE instructed by Mr. Crump, (whose lease expires at Lady-Day) to SELL BY AUCTION, in the present month, at Harpsford Works, 1 Eight Horse high pressure Steam Engine, complete with boiler, 4 Horse ditto, Lifting and Forcing Pumps, a large quantity of new Bricks and Pipes, 60,000 old Bricks, 8O yards of Iron Coal Pit Rails, Winding Gears, Pit Chains, &c., 2 Draught Horses, 2 Ponies, Colts, &a, 11 Round and Narrow wheel Carts, Capital Pulping Machine, and a large quantity of Miscellaneous Property. Full particulars will appear after Monday next

Eddowes's Journal, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 09 August 1865 SHROPSHIRE, in tbe parish of Chetton and Morville, about two miles from Bridgnorth. HARPSFORD ESTATE, valuable Freehold Farm, free from land tax, ino*t desirably situated junction of two turnpike roads, comprising an excellent Farm residence, with suitable agricultural and other buildings. a Colliery, Brick Ground in full working, with suitable buildings each, various Cottages, and 266 acres of excellent arable and pasture Land, Wood Lands, and Orchards, producing rental, exclusive of royalties on coal and bricks and woodlands, of about £355 per annum, from yearly tenant.

Bridgnorth Journal Dec 22nd 1866 Benjamin Morris, collier, late of Tedstill and now employed by Mr Reece at Harpsford, left wife chargeable to the parish

Bridgnorth Journal August 31st 1867 James Jones, waggoner, Morville, drunk at Harpswood brick works. Seen by Mr Beard, overseer of the works.

Bridgnorth Journal May 15th 1869 Harpswood Colliery, brickwork and farm. To be sold by auction, 26th May… a capital 8hp steam engine with boiler, 8 horse ditto with a large flywheel, Whitehead’s patent brick and tile machine, 7” pump with copper cylinder, 6” ditto, large quantity of 10” air piping, 50,000 best bricks, 1000 press ditto, 60,000 old bricks, 60,000 2” draining pipes, also a few lots of implements. And about 70ac of grass keep… the property of Mr EB Reece, who is leaving the farm.

1861 Census Harpsford Brick Works, Edward Crump, 33, coal and brick master, b Rowley Regis; 5yr old d b Walsall, 2yr son born Harpsford, Thos Crowther, lab in brick yard, servant, 55, b Godstone, Surrey; Charles Milward, 26, d, b Kidderminster, Thos Vaughan, 12, do, b Bridgnorth

Wm Meredith, 32, brick setter, b Enville, Edwin, brother, 16, moulder, do

Thos Shepherd, brick burner, 44, b Allerton Priors, Warwickshire, Hezekiah, son, 22, Brick moulder, b Stratford on Avon, Wm, son, 16, brick moulder, b Enville