Cole and Spokes were brown stone potters, in Avon street, during 1815 and 1816. They may have been succeeded by Spokes and Bourne in 1816. James Spokes was also in Avon Street during 1817 and 1818, although this could be John Spokes. A John Spokes is also listed in Avon Street from 1817 and the pottery remained with the family until 1889. Coles and Pearce are also listed in Avon Street during 1825. A John Cole is also listed in Great George Street (1820) and St. Philips Marsh from 1830 to 1835, making brown stone and red wares. John Cole was succeeded by Francis Cole (1836-1856). In 1845 she insured her brown-stone and red-ware pottery, plus two nearby houses and a small tenement. Between 1837 and 1846 Edward Hillhouse Cole took out five insurance policies on different properties. He is described as a potter and retailer of beer, although no policy mentions a pottery. His address is given as 22 York Street, Dings. In 1830 John Hillhouse Cole and John Cole junior, potters, voted from St Philip's Marsh. The entries are the same in 1832, with the addition of John Cole, victualler, Marsh (this may be a duplicate vote). In 1835 and 1837 the victualler does not vote, but the others do. In 1834 John Cole paid £2.8.9 duty and J Spokes paid £1.5.0.
Edward Hillhouse COLE Married Elizabeth PRITCHARD, 09 Jan 1833, St Paul, Bristol, Glous
If I have the right couple Edward and Elizabeth appear on the 1841 census both aged 25 (rounded possibly) and he is a Potter.
HO107/378/10/St Philip and St Jacob
