Background
Samuel was born in Kingsley, Staffordshire.
Samuel was born in Kingsley, Staffordshire.
In 1839 he completed work on a large factory, built in the Venetian style, on the junction of Westport Road and Greenhead Street.
He was the youngest of the nine children of Thomas (1746–1816) and Catherine Alcock (1756–1838). In 1828, Alcock developed his own business and began work on the Hill Top site in Cobridge. In November of that year a party to celebrate the opening was held at the George Hotel and on 10 June 1840 a Grand Ball was hosted by the firm.
Over two hundred guests attended and they danced to the Duke of Sutherland"s Quadrille Band.
The novelist Arnold Bennett called these works "Sytch Pottery" in his book Clayhanger. In 1836, Alcock was appointed improvement commissioner for Burslem and on 9 June 1842 was elected chief constable for the town.
In this post he took an important part in quelling the Chartist Riots, even though he was accused of selling his porcelain cheaply on account of the low wages he paid his workers. The town of Burslem was fortunately prepared for a proper reception of the Banditti.
Samuel died on 10 November 1848.
He had eleven children in total.