Rotherham.
North Field Pottery.—This pottery was established in 1851 by Joseph Lee, a working potter, who had previously carried on a small manufactory (now disused) in the town of Rotherham. In 1855 it was purchased by Mr. George Hawley, of Rawmarsh; who, on his death, was succeeded by his sons, the late Mr. William Hawley, father of the present proprietors, Mr. Matthew Hawley, and his two brothers. The firm was for a time carried on as “W. and G. Hawley,” but its present style is Hawley Brothers. The goods manufactured are the commoner descriptions of earthenware; and a large trade is carried on in furniture polish bottles and articles of a similar class.
Holmes Pottery.—These works were built on part of the Holmes Hall Estate—the kitchen garden, in fact—formerly belonging to the Walker family, who owned the large ironworks there, where at one time the notorious Tom Payne worked. The pottery was at first extremely small, but has gradually extended itself until it is now of considerable extent. It was first worked by Messrs. Earnshaw and Greaves, who were succeeded by Messrs. Dickinson and Jackson; it was then continued by Mr. Thomas Jarvis until some few years back, when it passed into the hands of Messrs. John Jackson & Co., the present owners. The goods produced are the commoner class of white and blue printed earthenware. Some years ago an attempt at china manufacture was made here, but was abandoned.