Find out about: Bo'ness
Pottery, Scotland...A brief history.
Scottish pottery
has given collectors wonderful specimens of animal and figures
groups, now credited to the Staffordshire potters, many of these
workers did travel and their skills applied to many parts of
the British Isles.
In about 1766 brown earthenware pots from local clay began to
be produced in a Pottery on the south side of Main Street.Bo'ness,
Scotland by a Dr Robuck. He was declared bankrupt in 1773 but
by using his sons name, developed Bo'ness Pottery in Main Street
by leasing premises from the Duke of Hamilton.
Producing in 1788 cream coloured and white stoneware with clay
imported from Dorset and Devon. From 1791 Roebuck, with the
help of 40 men, boys and girls operated 3 kilns. He died in
1794; Roebucks son sold the property to Thomas Cowan.
In 1801 Alex Cuming (a customs and excise officer) purchased
it for £300. Who gifted it to his Nephew James Cuming,
eventually to be sold to Bo'ness Potters Shaw and James Jamieson
in 1827 and operated as James Jamieson, or J.J., from 1827-1854
(Some hen tureens have their marks). At this time about a third
of the workforce had travelled for work, many coming from the
Staffordshire area.
Purchased again in 1854 by Jamieson's brother in law John Marshal,
a wealthy corn merchant and Justice of the Peace, the company
operated from 1854-1898 as John Marshall and Company. Expanding
to the north side of Main Street he built a reading room for
his employees in 1858, also encouraged recreational outings
and helped create the Potters Guild in 1860.
When John Marshals died in 1879 his co-partner William McNay
worked until his demise in 1880, when his brother Charles McNay
and two sons John and James managed the Pottery. In 1886 Charles
McNay founded Bridgeness Pottery and left Bo'ness pottery in
his sons care. This was unsuccessful and the firm went into
liquidation in 1898.
Establishing Bridgeness Pottery, Charles McNay purchased machinery,
molds and transfer pattern printing plates from Bo'ness Pottery
upon liquidation in 1898, so securing most of its predecessors
work.
Opened in 1886 the Pottery C. W. McNay and Sons closed for production
in April 1958 due to staffing problems, not lack of orders.
The demise of Bo'ness's last Pottery, which had been situated
on the north side of Bridgeness Road, just west of Bridgeness
Ship breaking Yard, was finished ending another factory of traditional
industry..... Many thanks to the Scottish, Bo'ness web-sites
for providing these facts about their area. More information
and a great display of Animals in pottery at http://bonesspottery.co.uk/default.aspx
