- more on J & G Meakin -

In 1851 the father James retired due to ill health.

His two older sons James (age 21) and George (age 19) took over the business and grew a very successful company which lasted for 150 years.

James: b.1830 d.1885  (1881 census) 

George: b.1832 d.1891 (1881 census) 

- more on Charles Meakin - 

From 1865 to 1873 Charles manufactured with his brother Alfred as Meakin Bros / C & A Meakin.

In 1870 (age 26) he operated under his own name, firstly at the Trent Pottery and the at the Eastwood Pottery which he established in 1882.

In 1887 the Eastwood Pottery was absorbed into the larger company of his brothers James & George and by 1889 Charles had ceased manufacturing under his own name. 

Charles: b.1844  (1881 census) 

- more on Alfred Meakin - 

In 1873, after working with his brother Charles, Alfred (age 25) set up business on his own account. The resultant company operated for over 100 years. 

C & A Meakin 

- more on C & A Meakin - 

In 1865 Charles (age 21) manufactured with his brother Alfred (age 17) at the Trent Pottery, Burslem. 

This partnership ended around 1873. Charles continued at the Trent Pottery and Alfred set up his own company in Tunstall. 

Lewis Henry Meakin (1824–1894) was very likely part of the same extended Meakin pottery family as J & G Meakin.
While is probably a first cousin of the brothers James, George, Charles and Alfred Meakin, documentary proof of the exact relationship has not yet been identified.

Lewis Henry Meakin (1824–1894) and the Meakin Pottery Family

Lewis Henry Meakin was a first cousin of the Meakin brothers.

Their relationship can be traced to a shared grandfather within an earlier generation of the Meakin potting family.

Family relationship

Lewis Henry Meakin (1824–1894)
Son of James Meakin's (snr) brother, making him: nephew to James Meakin (1807–1852), and
first cousin to the four Meakin brothers.

Professional overlap

The connection between Lewis Henry Meakin and his cousins was not only familial but also professional.

In 1851, following the decline in health of their father, James and George Meakin took over the Cannon Street Works.

Shortly afterwards, c.1852–1855, Lewis Henry Meakin operated from the same works in partnership with John Farrall, described as earthenware manufacturers, dealers and chapmen.

This overlap in both location and timeframe strongly suggests a close working relationship, or at least shared use of the premises, during a transitional period in the business.

Diverging paths

While his four cousins went on to expand the business — Lewis Henry Meakin’s involvement in the Staffordshire pottery industry was relatively brief.

In 1863, he emigrated to North America (via Canada), where the family established new lives. His son, also named Lewis Henry Meakin, later became a well-known landscape painter in Cincinnati.

Ironstone China
J & G Meakin 

J & G Meakin  

operated at Cannon Street 1851-52

Lewis Henry Meakin  

operated at Cannon Street 1852-55

The fact that both J&G Meakin and Lewis H Meakin both used the same mark and that for a brief period the two companies operated at the same works Cannon Street works strengthens the assumption of their relationship as first cousins. 

The crest used in this printed mark is a hybrid coat of arms designed specifically for export appeal to the American market - explore this mark »