Seaham Pottery inscriptions
Baker says that the Seaham Pottery was built in 1836 by Captain Plowright of Lynn. The Poll Book for Co Durham in August 1837 lists the original shareholders as follows.
- Joseph WILSON of Bishopwearmouth.
- James PLOWRIGHT of Seaham Harbour
- Joseph MITCHELL of Lime Regis
Ashforth, Hardie & Co, Seaham Pottery, 1838–1840
Baker says that the pottery was taken over in 1838 by a group of workers from Dawson's Pottery. They apparently operated under the name 'Messrs Ashforth, Hardie & Co' until the end of 1840, when the pottery was put up for sale. The following advert is from the Newcastle Courant, November 6th, 1840.
This jug has Seaham transfers and an inscription that places it within the Ashforth, Hardie & Co period.
Below, a jug with very similar decoration, in the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection. It has a Seaham Harbour inscription.
This plaque is unmarked, and there isn't much to go on by way of text. However, the distinctive 'G' and 'S' make Seaham a likely contender.
Photo Steve Taylor
Photo Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection
This mug, from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection, is attributed to Seaham in their catalogue, and the script is consistent with other items in the Ashforth, Hardie & Co period.
From 1841 to 1846 the pottery was run by John Allason. The advert below is from the Staffordshire Advertiser, January 24th, 1846.
Walker & Co, Seaham Pottery
From 1846 to 1850, the pottery was owned by John Hedley Walker, operating under the name 'Walker & Co'.
In March 1849, there's a notice in the Newcastle Guardian offering the premises to let 'immediately', and Walker appears to have moved to Carr's Hill Pottery, near Gateshead. It is unclear whether the pottery was successfully let.
In March 1849, there's a notice in the Newcastle Guardian offering the premises to let 'immediately', and Walker appears to have moved to Carr's Hill Pottery, near Gateshead. It is unclear whether the pottery was successfully let.
The inscription above is from the Prima jug in the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection. It has a painted factory mark 'Walker & Co, Seaham Pottery 1847'.
Two plaques, current whereabouts unknown, inscribed 'A Present For E Towning. The pirate transfer below right, also appears on a jug marked 'Seaham Harbour' (see below).
The inscription on the below left plaque has a similar transferred floral frame to the jug above.
