• By 1877 there was a pottery works on this site which was noted on the OS map as 'Encaustic Tile Works'

• Thomas Forester started earthenware manufacture at the works in 1884 and continued until 1887/8 (a couple of years longer than that recorded by Jewitt). 

• Forester then took Joseph Booth Hulme into partnership c.1887 and they operated as Forester and Hulme. This partnership continued until December 1892 when Thomas Forester left the business.

• Hulme then entered into partnership with John James Christie - operating as Hulme & Christie. This partnership continued until June 1900 when Joseph Hulme left the business.

• There was then a short lived partnership between John James Christie and Francis (Frank) William Beardmore. This ended in November 1901 when Christie left the business and Beardmore continued on his own - initially retaining the trading name Christie and Beardmore.

• In 1903 the business name was changed to Frank Beardmore & Co. The business was wound up c1913

NOTE: There was another pottery works in the Stoke-on-Trent area which used the name 'Sutherland' - the Sutherland Works in Normacot Road, Longton (built c.1850) 

NOTE: There three men named Thomas Forester who operated pottery works in the Fenton/Longton area of Stoke-on-Trent - all at the same time.

Thomas Forester Son & Co - at the Sutherland Pottery, Fenton

Thomas Forester & Co - at the Melbourne Works, Longton

Thomas Forester & Sons (Ltd) - at the Phoenix Works, Longton

Sutherland Pottery 

"Messrs. Thomas Forester, Son & Co started potting at the Sutherland Works in about 1884. The produced china and earthenware dinner, tea, desert and toilet sets..... In 1885 they were succeeded by Messrs. Forester & Hulme and by Hulme & Christie from 1893 to 1902." 

From Jewitt's "Ceramic Art of Great Britain, 1800-1900"