Pontypool and Usk rivalry
Before Edward Allgood died in 1763, the Pontypool Japanning business had passed to his sons and nephew, Thomas, Edward, John and Thomas. Almost immediately a feud developed between them, and Thomas and Edward left the Pontypool works to set up their own factory in Usk, six miles away. The major financial backing for the firm and the majority of the workers moved with them.
John and his cousin Thomas remained at Pontypool and had to enlist the financial help of two local lawyers, Davies and Edwards. Their investment assisted with the capital required to keep the business going, plus new employees to replace some of the key workers which had moved to Usk, such as John Stockham; the main decorator. He was replaced by Benjamin Barker whose mannered style characterises the production at Pontypool from 1763 to 1781.
For the 20 years following the split, the Pontypool works prospered and their products were sold through merchants in the larger towns in England. Many items were commissioned by wealthy families for example, the view of Pontypool Park House (1765) and the arms of Sir Hildebrand Jacob (c.1770). Less expensive items were exported to America, via merchants in Bristol.
In 1800, Evans Tour of Wales describes Pontypool Japanware as 'everywhere seen, everywhere admired; there are indeed many imitations of it in Birmingham and other places, but they are inferior to the productions of the original manufactory'.