Fire at pottery near Maryport, about 1907

[Rob T]

I was wondering if anyone had any information about a fire that destroyed a pottery, situated near Maryport, probably about 1907.
Family lore has it that my grandfather, David Keir, owned a pottery that was destroyed by fire, after which he relocated to find employment in the industry.
David and his wife, Amy Louise, came from Whitehaven but had 3 sons in Dearham. The last of these was registered in April 1907 while the family was living at Pleasant View, Dearham. Grandfather's occupation was given as "earthenware manufacturer", suggesting he was an owner.
By November 1908 the family was living in Chesterfield, where another son was born. Grandfather's occupation this time was "potter's thrower", suggesting he was employed.
Hopefully, someone will be able to cast some light on this. Many thanks.

[giblet]

Hopefully this might be of some help to you.

The below article is all i can get. The link below is for the British Newspaper archives, its free to register and your first 3 searches are also free, after that you will have to pay for any articles but your free 3 searches might be enough for you to get what you are looking for.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

Published: Friday 13 October 1911
Newspaper: Sheffield Daily Telegraph
County: Yorkshire, England

Noted Potter. Our representative was introduced the potter. Mr. David Keir, who is widely known in the Whitehaven district as the Old Cumberland Potter. Mr. Keir for many years had a pottery in Whitehaven, and before going to Hoyland was for some time at

[maddys52]

Some information about Dearham Pottery, Maryport here:
https://dearham.wordpress.com/introduction-to-village-history/

There are a few advertisements for positions at the pottery - eg in 1865 and 1884 - in various newspapers.

The article above mentions that the pottery probably closed around 1900, though may have become "Jubilee Pottery Co".
However, I can't see any references to a fire there in the newspapers. 

You may have already seen this?
http://discoverdearne.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Forgotten-Potteries-Banners.pdf

[Rob T]

Many thanks, giblet and maddy. David and Amy had a daughter in Whitehaven in 1902, and their first son was born in Dearham in 1904. As they had moved to Chesterfield by late 1908, they would likely have lived in Dearham for no more than 5 years. It would seem logical, particularly in that era, for the family to live close to the place of work, so the Dearham pottery link is very interesting.
For the record, the Milton Pottery at Hoyland opened as a separate entity in 1911, having developed as an extension of a previous brickmaking business, and closed in 1934,  shortly after David's death aged 58.

[cristeen]

From West Cumberland Times 18 May 1907

[Rob T]

Thank you so much, cristeen. That is an absolutely brilliant find.

[Rob T]

It looks like Mary Jane Whillans was the widow of George Whillans, builder, who died March 1906.

[cristeen]

You're welcome. I have some links to Maryport so the thread caught my eye. The man in my avatar was accused of causing a riot there in 1850. He & his brothers were there for the herring fishing & one brother was arrested & sent to Carlisle prison without trial. The riot was a protest about this (over 300 involved, shots fired etc) & during the riot his brother escaped custody! One of the main witnesses for the defence was a widow born in Dearham who was providing lodging for the brothers. My 4 x g grandfather was found not guilty and married said lady 6 weeks later at Gretna, I suspect some porky-pies were told! I discovered all this via newspapers of the time

[Rob T]

It's tales such as these that bring our ancestors to life, as well as making our research much more interesting.