Overview
According to Jean Shirlaw, the first known potter at Prestonpans was Anthony Hilcote ( many spellings), the date of his lease probably around 1750. The lease was renounced in 1769.
In 1772 George Gordon was granted a lease by Lady Hyndford and he formed a partnership the following year with Rowland Bagnall, the aim being to produce cream coloured ware, black tortoiseshell , white and every kind of potterware.
Unfortunately Bagnall died very soon after and following court action George Gordon moved in to Morrison`s Haven in 1774 employing initially six workers.
Originally a Clerk from the Leith Glass House Company, Gordon is later described as a master potter and he, with his two sons George junior and Robert saw the business prosper.
The lease was renewed in 1811 for 21 years, but a protracted dispute and court cases with their new landlord Sir George Grant Suttie eventually led to the termination of the lease at Morrison`s Haven in 1833 and the end of the pottery business there.
Main Products
Cream coloured wares, black tortoiseshell, white and every kind of pottery wares.
Articles in SPHR
- 4 - Cadell's Pottery, Prestonpans (good references)
- 7 - References
- 10 - Reference
- 11 - Reference
- 16 - List of Scottish Potters & China Merchants - Irene Macdonald
- 25 - The Watson, Purvis, Thomson Pottery Dynasty - Robin Jones
- 27 - References
- 62 - Charger inscribed 1773 - possibly Morrison's
- 70 - ‘100 Years of Scottish Pottery, 1740−1840’ Huntly House (the Museum of Edinburgh), Winter 2018/19 - Graeme Cruickshank
Typical Backstamps & Marks
None known
Pattern Names
None known
Other Publications & Links
- "Potters at Morrison`s Haven c 1750 – 1833 and the Gordons of Bankfoot 1795 -1840" by Jean Shirlaw
- "Morrison`s Haven ... excavated ceramics" - NMS by George Haggarty
Report of George Gordon’s death in ‘The Scotsman’ of 1st May 1809 : “At Morrison’s Haven, Mr George Gordon, potter, having completed his 81st year and second month, after a life of indefatigable industry”