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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Derbyshire => Topic started by: andycadman on Sunday 31 December 17 12:18 GMT (UK)

Title: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: andycadman on Sunday 31 December 17 12:18 GMT (UK)
I am working on a local history project and have been struggling to find the history behind a stone bottle that has "Geo. Clayton Ironville" printed on it, I attach a photograph.
The only George Clayton I can find locally was an Ironworks Manager living locally in Codnor Park (next to Ironville) in the 1891 census and in the next door village Jacksdale (Notts) in the 1901 Census. Could this be a link? He is buried in the local church Yard. Or is this a "Red Herring"?
He was listed in the Kelly's trade directory of Derbyshire of 1895 as mineral water manufacturer - also he was a preacher - maybe a lay preacher? He may have traded between 1893 and 1897.
If any one can help me find out more it would be really appreciated.
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: emeltom on Sunday 31 December 17 13:47 GMT (UK)
I can only find the same details as you. However you may be interested to hear that a stone bottle the same as yours is for sale on ebay for £65.

Emeltom
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: KGarrad on Sunday 31 December 17 14:04 GMT (UK)
Spruce beer (as named on the bottle) was a Prussian-style porter, called "Sprossen-bier" in it's home language, and came to the UK from Danzig.

See this: http://abetterbeerblog427.com/2008/10/05/httpbeerblog-genx40-comarchive2008octoberjefferyamhersts/

Also this article in "The Penny Cyclopędia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Information, Volume 22":
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=rJhOFg1yiqUC&pg=PA389&lpg=PA389&dq=spruce+beer+derbyshire&source=bl&ots=bNwFuazUHK&sig=yf4d3EN-jUU8k4kS8FzYANqcx3k&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjImrL-tLTYAhUHBsAKHf54AJ8Q6AEIWTAI#v=onepage&q=spruce%20beer%20derbyshire&f=false
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: andycadman on Sunday 31 December 17 14:29 GMT (UK)
Many thanks for your help emeltom and KGarrad.  :)
All of this adds important information to the picture, but how can we link the bottles to Ironville or Codnor Park?
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: hanes teulu on Sunday 31 December 17 15:12 GMT (UK)
Spruce beer was advertised as "black beer" and a "non intoxicant"! A strength of 3% was mentioned.

Spotted a newspaper snippet of a "Mr Geo Clayton, Ironville", preaching at Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Chapel.
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: emeltom on Sunday 31 December 17 15:18 GMT (UK)
The link to Ironville is obvious - it says so on the bottle.

The link to Codnor Park is more difficult, particularly as George Clayton is in the Census as working in an ironworks. I can only guess that he started the drinks production after he retired but no proof.

Emeltom
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: BumbleB on Sunday 31 December 17 15:24 GMT (UK)
Many thanks for your help emeltom and KGarrad.  :)
All of this adds important information to the picture, but how can we link the bottles to Ironville or Codnor Park?

Other than George Clayton appears to have lived at Codnor Park, and obviously commissioned these bottles specifically labelled for his factory in Ironville by a company who undertook such work  :-\   Not sure what else you can do other than search for a bottle manufacturer.  :)
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: BumbleB on Sunday 31 December 17 15:33 GMT (UK)
This may be relevant:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langley_Mill_Pottery

Distance from Ironville to Langley Mill is around 5 miles.

Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: KGarrad on Sunday 31 December 17 15:36 GMT (UK)
The photo posted can also be seen on this site?
https://luggysbestbuys.wordpress.com/author/gizmotrogg/

Where it says they are ginger beer bottles?
(Also says the photos are copyrighted?)
Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: BumbleB on Sunday 31 December 17 15:54 GMT (UK)
Another location where bottles were made, and again about 5 miles away - Denby.

Title: Re: What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?
Post by: andycadman on Sunday 31 December 17 16:04 GMT (UK)
Many thanks - new avenues - well worth exploring.

Codnor Park did have it's own pottery - taken over by Joseph Bourne of Denby a number of years before the business was closed in Codnor Park and transferred to Denby around 1865.