Boness.
The Boness Pottery, as it is now called, dates from 1766. It was originally planned and partly constructed by a Mr. Roebuck, an enterprising Englishman, largely engaged in the coal and iron trade in this district, who for some time lived in Kenneil House, belonging to the Duke of Hamilton. For some cause Mr. Roebuck left for England, and the pottery came by purchase into the possession of a Mr. Cowen, and afterwards, in 1799 of Mr. Alexander Cumming, who carried it on successfully for a number of years; then his nephew James Cumming carried on the business, and although it only consisted of three kilns it became one of the largest potteries in Scotland, if not the very largest. Earthenware and brown ware were manufactured in all their branches. The firm had another manufactory, called the “South Pottery,” where brown ware was made for the home markets. In the possession of the present firm is a punch bowl manufactured in these works with the following inscription painted upon it:
“What art can with the potter’s art compare?
For of what we are ourselves of such we make our ware.”
It was made in the time of Thos. Cowen, and bears the date 1794. They have in their possession also other, but undated, specimens of the productions of the early manufactory. At the death of James Cumming the works passed into the hands of his nephew, William Cumming, and being sold in 1836 were bought by James Jamieson, and carried on for a number of years, under the firm of James Jamieson & Co., and afterwards by the son of Mr. Jamieson under the same style; the proprietors being John Marshall and James Jamieson. After Mr. Jamieson’s death that part of the works belonging to him was, in 1854, bought by Mr. John Marshall and carried on, on his own account, until 1867, when he was joined by Mr. William McNay as a partner, under the style of John Marshall & Co. These works were the first in Scotland to adopt Needham’s patent for manufacturing clay. The productions are the ordinary useful classes of earthenware goods in dinner, tea, toilet, and other services, and all the usual domestic articles; these are produced in white, sponged, printed, painted, enamelled and gilt styles, and are supplied both to home and foreign markets.