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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Staffordshire => Topic started by: ThumperGT on Friday 15 September 17 10:44 BST (UK)
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I am researching the Clews family, based largely in the Wolstanton, Burslem and Hanley areas of Stoke, and their associations with the Potteries.
Two branches are of particular interest. Around the start of the 19th century, Ralph and James Clews set up a business in Cobridge manufacturing traditional creamware ("blue and white" wares mainly). Their mother was a Stevenson, and they had links with Andrew Stevenson's factory, which they took over in 1827. Around 1835 the Potteries suffered "The Great Strike", when many workers in Stoke rebelled against low wages and poor conditions. The Clews brothers were among many to suffer as a result, and went bankrupt. James (b1789) moved to America, and did well enough there to return, ten years later, a wealthy man, and able to settle into a comfortable retirement on a large estate near Stone. He died in 1867.
However, little is known of what happened to Ralph (b1788) after bankruptcy, aside from being assaulted on one occasion on his brother's farm! Any information gratefully received.
The second branch that I'm working on relates to George Clews (1842-1918), who set up a works in Tunstall in 1901, and which was managed and run by his son, Percy Swinnerton Clews. I am, however, missing about twenty years of George's life, between 1855 and 1875. I know he married Harriet Swinnerton in 1866, and they had at least four children (two died in infancy, but Percy Swinnerton (b1875) and Ada Harriet (b1869) survived), but I have no idea where George was between these dates. He fails to show up in the census returns for 1861 or 1871, for example.
Any leads would be wonderful. Thanks
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1871 - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5T4-165 George occ is potter.
Cas
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I have many Clews/Clewes relatives from the area.It is a bloodline for me.Though I don't as yet have the names you mention.
Regards
William Russell Jones.
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Thanks both, for the quick replies.
I have rummaged through Family Search (and also Ancestry) and can't find any definitive answers, although have just unearthed a marriage announcement from the Staffordshire Advertiser that states:
Saturday 5 January 1867. Bethesda Chapel, Hanley, the Rev. Rushworth, George, second son of Mr Edwin Clews, to Harriet, second daughter of Mr. Thomas Swinnerton, of Bedford Place, Shelton.
What's confusing here is that Harriet was indeed the second daughter of Thomas Swinnerton, but George (b 1842, the one she's supposed to have married) was the fourth son of George Clews (b1809). This conflct, if correct, sends me back to the beginning somewhat.
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Well, I seem to have resolved that issue.
The newspaper was correct, so the George Clews I'm researching was indeed the second son of Edwin (b1815), and the various records I'd mis-assigned to the other George Clewes (noting the less common use of the 'e' in the middle) have been updated. Fortunately, they were born on different sides of Stoke, although within a month of each other - hence the initial confusion.
That opens up a whole new branch of the Clews family to research.
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You may already know this but there was a brewery opposite the White Jug public house in shelton owned by Messrs Malkin & Clews. On 14 April 1823 William Malkin sold 2 thirds of his title in his brewing property to his two partners Ralph and James Clews. This formed the Shelton Brewery site in sun st Shelton. Verious trade directories list Clews and MAlkin as brewers in Broad st or Sun st up to 1835. Though they went bankrupt in 1834 so the director may have been compiled a year early. source "Copyhold Potworks and housing in the Stafordshire potteries 1700 - 1832" Peter Roden.
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That makes perfect sense - thankyou Peter. I have found "Ralph Clews" listed in various trade publications from the period after he and James were registered as bankrupt, where he's cited as a "brewer" or "maltster", but I needed something to tie Ralph Clews the potter more closely to the brewer. Those listings continue through to the 1860s, with an address in Lower King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
If that's the case, then the "gentleman" Ralph Clews who is recorded as having died in Gainsborough, "late of Newcastle-under-Lyme" in June 1867 is almost certainly one and the same. So, that's the Ralph & James saga more neatly wrapped up.
I have now rebuilt my lineage for George Clews (Burslem 1842-1919), the later potter based in Tunstall, but hit a brick wall and seem unable to trace back before Edwin Clews (Hanley, 1815-1872). However, the links with the Swinnerton family through George's wife Harriet are proving more rewarding.
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I've unearthed a bankruptcy reference from 1834 that suggests that Ralph and James Clews' father, John (1753-1819) was probably the original partner with Malkin, and that upon John's death, the two sons took over the business, bought out William, and ran it alongside their pottery. When the pottery went bust during The Great Strike, they lost the brewery as well. They owed over £70,000, which equates to roughly £3.5 million today.
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hi Thumper
Peter Roden is the name of the author of the Copyhold book. I am Duncan.
Also mentioned on 22 Jan 1811 William Malkin bought 1138 sq yds of the Mill field, near the White Jug from George Garner. Although Malkin paid for the land the surrender was to John Clews of Newcastle-u-Lyme, maltster, who acted as trustee for William and his wife Amy. The remainder of the lease was assigned, in 1822, to William Cyples of Land End, a potter.
My ancestors also had a pot works in the same area, so our ancestors were possibly neighbours :-)
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Apologies for the slow response - my wife and I have been scattering her father's ashes across the mountains of Austria, and my Internet connection wasn't up to much.
Thanks for the additional information Duncan, and apologies for the misunderstanding!
I have another source that suggests John Clews was a hat maker, but I've not been able to find any other references that support this, and being a maltster or brewer seems to make more sense, considering your findings, and the ultimate occupation of his eldest son, Ralph.
Strange how two brothers could have had such differing fortunes, although the fact that Ralph was the victim of an assault on his brother's farm in 1849, possibly while overseeing the estate at a time when his brother was away, suggests they remained in touch. The assailant, Preston Moore Cliff, a neighbouring farmer, was summoned before the magistrates but never turned up for the hearing, and was deemed guilty by implication!
I am not related to the Clews family, but am researching their history (as potters) in relation to an article I'm writing. It would be wonderful to uncover a familial link between the two companies (James & Ralph, c1830, and George, c1901) but with so many Clews living in the Potteries at that time it is both unlikely and tantalising likely.
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Further to my last post, have been delving into John Clews a little further, and after searching around, found a copy of the Staffordshire General & Commercial Directory, published in 1818 by Parson & Bradshaw. This would have been shortly before John Clews died, and in it, there is a listing for Newcastle-under-Lyme for "Clews John & Son; maltsters and hat manufac. Merrill street."
I had found several references to a "John Clews" of Newcastle in various listings for parliamentary polls, and cited as a hatmaker, but it was not definitive that they were one and the same. In the final such poll, dated 1807, John Clews is listed as "Bailiff" and a "Returning Officer". In the Directory of 1818, John Clews is listed as an Alderman of the town and there's a Ralph Clews "Gent" on the Common Council. So, all ties up quite neatly.
In another similar directory, from 1834 (presumably just before the crash) I find Ralph & James Clews listed as Coalmasters, and owners of Jackfield Colliery. This, then, ties in with other records I have found of Ralph, after his bankruptcy, operating still as a Coalmaster.
Just to add spice to the mix, the earlier Directory lists another pottery manufacturer; Rivers & Clews, of Shelton, but I can't find out anything more about the company. Perhaps it was short-lived? Either way, it's another avenue to explore ....
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Hi hope this is still active. This is my first attempt at doing post so sorry if not done right. I've been researching George Clews as Ive just discovered his name in the deeds for our house as Pottery Manager in Hanley 1875, stated as member of North Staffs Economic Benefit Building Society 1875 when establishing tenants and in 1906 by then Blyth Bridge Earthenware manufacturer passing property on to wife Harriet. Is that added info? Do you know what Pottery he was manager for?
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Hi Historynut, and thanks for your reply. Yes, the thread is still active. I have (more or less) completed my research into Ralph & James Clews, and the article is written (but not yet published).
However, I am still trying to unearth further information about George Clews, the founder of the eponymous pottery company (c1901-1961) and, as you've discovered, associated with a number of other manufacturers prior to establishing his own.
I'm interested that you suggest he was already a "pottery manufacturer" as early as 1875. That was the year his son, Percy, was born, and George would have been only 33. He'd married Harriet Swinnerton in 1866, and I believe they were living in Bedford Street around that time ... or had they already moved to Bethesda Street? You probably know better than I do! The family moved to Blythe Bridge in 1905, I think, but the Brownhills works factory was in Tunstall.
I'd be happy to share what I know, but if you prefer to exchange further details via email, please send me a PM. Thanks.
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Oooh, how exciting is this forum. (Genuine reaction, I love family history hence user name). Thanks so much for your response. According to 'abstract of title' documents the land (on Bethesda St) was left by Abner Wedgewood to William Allen of Leek in will of 1869, sold property to 'George Clews of Hanley afsd Potters Manager' 27.5.1875, who surrendered use to Thomas Bullock 24.6.1875, by 25.1.1906 3 properties occupied by Messrs Jones, Sandland and Allen surrendered by George Clews formerly Potters Manager then Blythe Bridge Earthenware Manufacturer to his wife Harriet (as said before, its what's in the Abstract title); no mention of any Clews from 1910 when Harriet sold to Annie Allen, wife of George Allen, earthenware manufacturer... can I ask what you mean by PM though, sorry for green question. Regards, Hhistorynut
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Note it looks like they owned the property but had tenants rather than living there necessarily. Also George Clews manager in 1875 before starting his own firm in 1906 I thought (only minimal research though)..
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Hi just an added thought, if you order birth certificates for Percy Swinnerton and Ada Harriet they will give you George's occupation at the time and family address... search reference details on freebmd and order from GRO (done for my family research and usually fruitful) Have you got already? Would be interested myself...
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Thanks Hhistorynut for the additional information. I am hoping to get around to doing more work on George Clews over Christmas, when I'm not busy doing my regular 'work'.
The date of George and Harriet purchasing a property in Bethesda Street in 1875 makes perfect sense, and concurs with the information I have. Their eldest child, Ada, was born in 1869, when they were in Bedford Street. Two other children died in infancy before Percy arrived in July 1875, a couple of months after their purchase of the house from William Allen. I'm surprised you suggest that George then let the property to Thomas Bullock in June, unless Harriet being close to term in her pregnancy meant they didn't want to move until after Percy's birth. Either way, by the time of the 1881 census, they were definitely living in Bethesda Street, at number 65, and George is cited as being a Potter's "Mould maker", not manager.
I'd be fascinated to know what these 3 other properties were by 1906. In the 1911 census George and Harriet are living with Percy and his wife Annie in Caverswall Lane, Blythe Bridge, which is where Harriet died in 1912. Subsequently, George moved to Romford in Essex to live out his days with his daughter Ada and her husband Frederick. He died there in 1918. Percy stayed on in Blythe Bridge and ran the company, George Clews & Co, until his death. He and his wife Emma never had children.
Interesting that you suggest that it was Harriet who sold the Bethesda Street property to Annie Allen. Somehow this suggests George had given the house to his wife at some stage?
Yes, George set up the company in 1906, but as far as we know, he never actually worked there. It was perhaps established as a career opportunity for the newly-married Percy.
I don't have the birth certificates. It starts to get expensive, but I'll give it some thought.
I'll delve some more. Thanks for the PM. I shall respond.
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Just a small additional observation ....
It appears that George and Harriet had two properties in Bethesda Street. From 1875 through to about 1887, they were at number 65. However, from 1888, they were living at number 69. They would appear to have moved out in around 1905, and set up home, with Percy, in Blythe Bridge.
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Hi ThumperGT. Further to other info have looked up censuses on FindMyPast for George & Edwin and found as follows (sorry if already have):
1837 Edwin Clewes married Sarah Taylor at Bucknall St Mary's
1841 Edwin 'Clowes' at Bleak Hill Burslem with Sarah & William
1851 Edwin& George 'Clewes' at Bleak Hill, now Rushton Grange, Wolstanton. Edwin mould maker.
1861 Edwin&George 'Clowes' at 1 stAnn street, Hanley
1871 Edwin 'Clowes' Mould maker at 1 stAnn St Hanley
1871 George 'Clewes' Harriet&Ada at 40 Bedford St next to Harriet's parents Thomas & Hannah Swinnerton at no42 Bedford St
Regards, Hhistorynut
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That all tallies up with what we'd uncovered. Just be aware that there's another George Clews, also born January 1842, but in Wolstanton, to a father George and mother Edna Lycett. They are easily mixed, as the birthdates are almost identical. The George Clews you want was born in Burslem.
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Yes they all say born Burslem and are when George was living either with father Edwin or wife Harriet whom it had asserted was Edwin's son. I did note Burslem & Wolstanton were put together in the early censuses, in the title of the area covered which might add to confusion but the relatives are right. Regards :)
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Hi
I have only just found this site and haven’t even started on my family tree yet, but this thread caught my eye.
My fathers grandmother was Rosa Clews( clewes/clowes) from Odd Rode in Cheshire, she married a Henry MORRIS.
Both were from boat families Cheshire/ Staffordshire area and worked on the canals.
Don’t know if there is any link... just thought I would add.
There seems to be many variations of the surname Clews/ Clewes/ Clowes.... are they all very different families?
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Hi Sarah, and thanks for the post.
Firstly, I don't (yet) think there's a link between the Clews family that I'm researching, and yours. All 'my' Clews were involved in the ceramics trade - either working in the potteries, or actually as manufacturers. However, there's no reason why there couldn't be a link somewhere, as Stoke was at the heart of the waterways revolution in the 18th century, and I have found references to Clews as boatmen in cuttings from the Staffordshire Sentinel. Try a search on the British Newspaper Archive. The search alone costs nothing and can often be enough.
As for the spelling, this varies enormously. The Census returns from 1841 through to 1901 were filled out by the collecting officers, mainly because most of the population at that time was illiterate, and couldn't be expected to complete the forms themselves. Only since the 1911 census have householders been expected to do the form-filling themselves. This has meant a significant variation in spelling for unusual surnames, and Clews qualifies.
I have certainly found the same person with the surname spelled differently at different census periods. Clews seems to have been widely adopted by the late 19th century, but Clewes was very common in earlier periods, and Clowes also. I've found it necessary to search for all three, and found one return for a Clews where the spelling was Clays. If the person had a strong regional accent, then the census officer had to guess!
Not sure if that's much of a help!
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Yes, that is most helpful actually as I’m fairly new to this and don’t really know where to start. I will have a root around and see if I can find a starting point somewhere.
I’m guessing that spellings varied quite a lot back then due to people not being great readers and writers.
Thanks for the info