Early in Harriet's career as painter of ceramics she moved to Bovey Tracey in Devon to work at The Bovey Tracey Pottery Company, which operated between 1843 and 1894, and was owned by the Earl of Devon. By 1851, Harriet was one of 300 employees who were said to be producing "earthenware equal in quality and design to the best Staffordshire wares". The pottery was well known for Mess Ware commissioned for use on Naval Ships, as well as presentation mugs and clotted cream jars.
In 1853 Harriet married William HILLMAN, who was also a painter of earthenware.
By 1861 they were living together in Bovey Tracey, with son William H, 7, and Mary J, 4. Harriet was described as a painter of enamel pottery.
By 1871 William was unemployed and they were in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, where Harriet and her daughter Mary were 'paintresses' and her son a warehouseman at a pottery.
It is thought that Harriet died in 1880 in Stoke on Trent, although her age was given as 49 rather than ~52.
