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| oil painting 1845 |
This history is gleaned from the work of James Bradley available through
Family Search.
Dr. Simeon Shaw, occupied in his day, no obscure position,
and exercised no feeble influence, as a teacher of youth, as
a citizen, as a literary and scientific man. Characterized by
great diligence and perseverance; he is placed amongst the
educational benefactors of his age. Thus said the obituary of Dr. Simeon Shaw.
Born in 1785 at Salford, Lancashire, England, both his parents would pass away while he was still a child, his mother at age three and his father at age twelve. His father's trustees were in charge of providing him with an education, so it seem happened. However in the early 1900s he relocated to the pottery district of Staffordshire.
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| A young Simeon |
He married Elizabeth Simpson in 1909 in Bucknall Church. Simeon's bride was two years his senior. She was born in the Staffordshire district. They were married in a country church, away form the smoke of the potteries. Simeon had much grief in his family live. His marriage to Elizabeth would last until her death in 1820. She bore him six children, on who would dye in infancy, and one as a young adult. Four grew to adulthood. He then married Harriet Broad in on Christmas Day 1821. With her he had an additional eight children, of whom five would grow to adulthood. However she would also precede him in death, as she would pass away in 1838. The family was devastated by typhus in 1838, and a couple of the children and Harriet all passed away. Another son died that year of consumption. Of his fourteen children, seven would precede him in death.
Simeon was educated, however details of this are not known. He was known as a doctor of law, and the letter L.L.D. appeared after his name starting in 1823. This type of degree was often honorary and conferred for outstanding work or service.
During the course of his writing career Simeon wrote at least eleven books. His first book "The Grammar of the English Language" was published in 1811. Perhaps his most popular was "History of the Staffordshire Potteries" published in 1820. He also wrote "Nature Displayed" which delved into many sciences. This was a six volume collection. he also was writing a history of Stoke on Trent, which was being published in a serial in a magazine. This was taken over by John Ward who was helping him with gathering material.
It has been mentioned that he had a photographic memory. (Mrs. Bott, a descendant)
Even with his abilities Simeon was not immune to financial difficulties. In 1820 he spent some time in debtor's prison. It was only through a sponsor who paid off his debts that he was released. He indebtedness was likely to his self publishing of his first book, and owing the printer.
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| photograph 1855 |
Simeon Shaw was also a school master and teacher. When he was young he oversaw a school for boys. He was later involved in education of the pottery trade. To provide this education he often had sponsors. Also the owners of potteries would send their worker to his school and pay for their education.
Towards the end of his life he was subject to some type of mental disorder. He referred to this as a "swimming in the head." He was afflicted with the disease as early as 1848, and it persisted for the rest of his life. He was eventually confined to a mental institution where he would pass away in 1859 just short of his 74th birthday.
