CASE STUDY John Potter (1839–1921)

John Potter was the son and grandson of papermakers. His father died when he was seven years old, and to support the family Potter was apprenticed aged 14 at Hayle Mill in Maidstone. He became a superb craftsman at making paper by hand.

Despite Potter’s youth, his abilities were quickly recognised, immediately involving him in the activities of the Original Society of Papermakers (OSP). Less than two years after completing his apprenticeship, Potter was recognised as a negotiator on behalf of the OSP, which he represented on at least seven occasions until 1897. He drafted a circular to the masters of papermaking businesses asking that all apprentices be legally bound in future, and took part in a review of the management of the OSP with the aim of establishing a more efficient structure.

Potter worked at Hayle Mill for 59 years. Despite pressing his employer, JB Green, over wages and procedures, their relationship was very good. Potter was a pledged abstainer, a smoker, a dissenter and a radical, and a staunch supporter of free trade. He exercised a great breadth of mind and spirit in politics and religion, and was also the first working man in England to be made a justice of the peace, relying on a wage rather than inherited wealth.

In retirement Potter demonstrated his strong belief in the rights of his fellow men by becoming involved in the Reform League, working men’s clubs and Freemasonry. For schools he instigated art and science classes, urging children to grow into adults ready to help society. He died in 1921 at the age of 81, his concern for people and his exceptional role in the community recognised.