William Cookworthy was the man who founded the China Clay industry in Cornwall and Devon. He was born in Kingsbridge, his parents were Quakers, father William and mother Edith nee Debell,who married in 1704. They had seven children. William was the eldest His father was a weaver who died when he was thirteen, he was offered an apprenticeship by two Quaker brothers of the name of Bevan who were chemists in London. The Bevans set him up in business in Plymouth where he prospered . He married Sarah Berry in 1735 and they had five daughters.
He visited China interested in porcelain which China exported to England. On his return to Devon and Cornwall he noticed that around St Austell the hills resembled those in China from which China clay was mined. He found a way to make porcelain and in 1768 he opened a factory in Plymouth to make it.
Cookworthy helped John Smeaton with the development of hydraulic lime which made possible the building of the third Eddystone lighthouse. He also advised naval officers that fresh fruit and vegetables could prevent scurvey on ships.
He visited China interested in porcelain which China exported to England. On his return to Devon and Cornwall he noticed that around St Austell the hills resembled those in China from which China clay was mined. He found a way to make porcelain and in 1768 he opened a factory in Plymouth to make it.
Cookworthy helped John Smeaton with the development of hydraulic lime which made possible the building of the third Eddystone lighthouse. He also advised naval officers that fresh fruit and vegetables could prevent scurvey on ships.
William Cookworthy was the man who founded the China Clay industry in Cornwall and Devon. He was born in Kingsbridge, his parents were Quakers, father William and mother Edith nee Debell,who married in 1704. They had seven children. William was the eldest His father was a weaver who died when he was thirteen, he was offered an apprenticeship by two Quaker brothers of the name of Bevan who were chemists in London. The Bevans set him up in business in Plymouth where he prospered . He married Sarah Berry in 1735 and they had five daughters.
He visited China interested in porcelain which China exported to England. On his return to Devon and Cornwall he noticed that around St Austell the hills resembled those in China from which China clay was mined. He found a way to make porcelain and in 1768 he opened a factory in Plymouth to make it.
Cookworthy helped John Smeaton with the development of hydraulic lime which made possible the building of the third Eddystone lighthouse. He also advised naval officers that fresh fruit and vegetables could prevent scurvey on ships.
He visited China interested in porcelain which China exported to England. On his return to Devon and Cornwall he noticed that around St Austell the hills resembled those in China from which China clay was mined. He found a way to make porcelain and in 1768 he opened a factory in Plymouth to make it.
Cookworthy helped John Smeaton with the development of hydraulic lime which made possible the building of the third Eddystone lighthouse. He also advised naval officers that fresh fruit and vegetables could prevent scurvey on ships.
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