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.
Prestonpans.
Prestonpans Pottery.—There were, until 1838, two old pot-works, each more than a century old, in Prestonpans; in that year they were both closed. In 1836 Messrs. Belfield & Co. established the “Prestonpans Pottery,” which they still carry on; the goods produced being Rockingham tea-pots, cane jugs, &c.
Alloa.
Alloa Pottery.—These works were established in 1790 by Mr. James Anderson, and were afterwards carried on by Mr. William Gardner; in 1855 they passed by purchase into the hands of the present proprietors, Messrs. W. & J. Bailey. At first the works, under Mr. Anderson, produced common brownware pans and crocks, and by Mr. Gardner the addition was made of Rockingham ware tea-pots. By the present firm this branch of manufacture has been considerably improved, and so greatly extended that at the time I write, I am informed, no less than twenty-six thousand tea-pots can be produced by them per week. Majolica and jet ware goods are also largely made and are of good quality, and a speciality of the firm is its artistic engraving of ferns and other decorations of the finer qualities of tea-pots, jugs, &c. The productions of the Alloa Pottery, besides a home trade, are exported in large quantities to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, France, America, &c., and medals have been awarded to them at the Paris and Philadelphia Exhibitions. The excellent quality of the Alloa goods “arises from the nature of the clay got in the neighbourhood,” and the density of colour and softness to touch of the glaze are highly commendable.
The Hebrides.
Hand-made pottery is still made, and used, in all its primitive simplicity. The following letter, which I am permitted to print, is so full of interesting matter concerning this curious phase of fictile art, that I give it entire. It was addressed by W. Morrison, Esq., M.P., to my friend, Mr. W. H. Goss, and dated from the House of Commons. It runs as follows: