John Durgate, Potter of Cove, died 1622

Page written by Peter Tipton

John Durgate had been married about 23 years when he died in Cove. He had married Alice Cyllier (probably Collier) on 1 Oct 1598 in Farnborough. This may mean that he was working in Farnborough before setting up his own business in Cove. I may just mean that a Cove man fell in love with a girl from Farnborough. In her paper analysing the wills and inventories of the Borderware potters, Elizabeth Lewis provides a full transcription of the probate inventory made just after John Durgate's death. This inventory provides the most detail of any inventory concerning what was happening in each of the rooms in his house in the early part of the 17th century. John Durgate left no will, but the inventory still had to be taken by his neighbours after his death in order to obtain the administration. The inventory tels us that John Durgate operated a kiln, and not just a potter's wheel.

The Hampshire Record Office's CALM database reveals that there are probate accounts for several of our key borderware potters. Probate accounts were prepared for Alice Durgate, John's widow, to obtain administration of his will. The accounts set out the expenses of the funeral, the cost of the letters of administration, and the list debtors and creditors. Money must be collected from debtors, and then paid out to creditors. The remainder is available for legacies. Alice's accounts are dated two years after his death.

I have now looked at these accounts at the Record Office hoping they might throw light on merchants an traders to whom he was selling his production and from whom he was purchasing his raw materials, particularly his clay. Unfortunately the accounts state money amounts against several personal names but do not state the reasons, except to say that it was to settle 'an obligation' or that it dealt with an 'acquittance'. This is disappointing. However of the 7 names listed at least two are fellow potters: John Rogers (£21) and Richard Edsall of Yateley (£11). The other names are: Jeffry Hone of Pyrford, Robert Burrle of Aldershot, Edmond Westbrook, George Watts and Mr Chandler.

John Rogers is most likely to be John Rogers alias Marner potter of Farnborough, brother-in-law of Robert Hall d.1633 potter of Cove.

Richard Edsall is almost certainly the potter who inherited equipment from Robert Wright as his servant in 1596. John Durgate's death was 26 years after Robert Wright's so Richard Edsall is likely to be well established in business.

Robert Burle of Aldershot is listed in the Lay Subsidy of 1921, being assessed on goods worth £3. John Burle, also of Aldershot, was assessed on goods worth £6, paying the second largest tax (16s) after Sir Walter Tichborne who paid £4 tax on lands worth £20.

More research is now required into the other persons listed. Their own wills may reveal their occupations.

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