Bristol Potters - M

Research by Reg Jackson

McDOWELL Rose

Born c1872 in St Philip’s parish, the daughter of Henry McDowekk I and the sister of Benjamin McDowell and Henry McDowell II (81C, 91C).

1891	20 Philip Street, St Philip’s parish (19), living with her widowed mother and siblings (91C).

McDOWELL William John

Born c1876 in St Philip’s Marsh (11C).

1901	General labourer, 1 Victoria Terrace, St Philip’s parish (26), living with his wife Emma (22), born in Bristol, and children (11C).
1911	Furnace stoker at pottery, widower, 37 Grove Park, Terrace, Fishponds (35), living with his children Lily (13), Edith (11), Emma (9), Annie (7), Elsie (6), Benjamin (4) and Violet (3), all born in St Philip’s Marsh (11C).

MEAD Arthur

Born c1834 in Swansea, South Wales, the son of William Mead, the grandfather of Selina Smallbridge and the uncle of Prudence Poole (PPR, 91C).

1861	Boarding at 17 Cumberland Street, St Philip’s parish (27) (61C).
1861	14 Jul. Bread Street, St Philip’s parish (27), the son of William Mead, a potter, he married Prudence Smaldridge (26) of Bread Street, the daughter of Robert Smaldridge, a labourer (PPR).
1871	5 Farr’s Buildings, Union Road, St Philip’s parish (37), living with his wife Prudence (36), born in St Philip’s parish (71C).
1881	22 Atlas Terrace, St Philip’s parish (46), living with his wife Prudence (46), and niece Prudence White (18), born in Bristol (81C).
1891	8 Lypiatt Lane, St George (57), living with his wife Prudence (57) and grand-daughter Selina F. Smallbridge (14), potter, and niece Prudence Poole, widow, (28), potter, and her daughter Elizabeth (3), all born in Bristol (91C).

MEAD William

The father of Arthur Mead (PPR).

1861	14 Jul. Noted as a potter when his son Arthur Mead (27), a potter of Bread Street, St Philip’s parish, married Prudence Smaldridge (PPR).

MEARN (or MEARNE, MERN) Daniel I

The father of Joseph and Daniel II Mearn (A, RPR).

1734	22 Dec. ‘Daniel Mearn married Pricilla Morrice’ (RPR).
1735	25 Aug. Noted as a potter on the baptism of his son, Daniel (RPR).
1739	7 Nov. He became a free potter because of his marriage to Priscilla, daughter of Edward Morris, cordwainer (F, G).
1739	Potter, St Mary Redcliffe parish (P).
1741	12 Nov. ‘Thomas Patience agst Daniel Mearne, Cathay … Thursday 3rd Dec 1741, Debt proved to be 5s for watching. Order’d it be paid with costs’ (C).
1754	Potter, St Mary Redcliffe parish (P).
1758	6 Feb or 6 Mar. Described as a potter of St Mary Redcliffe parish when his son, Joseph, was apprenticed to John Harwell, potter (A, Ao).
1762	21 Sep. Described as a potter when his son, William Oxford, was apprenticed to John Vincent, clock maker (A).
1774	22 Oct. Described as a potter when his son, Daniel II, became a free potter (F, G).
1774	3 Oct. Described as a potter when John Blanin, sawyer, obtained his freedom because of his marriage to Priscilla Mearn (G).
1774	Potter, St Mary Redcliffe parish (P).
1775	26 Oct. Possibly the Daniel Mearn buried (RPR).
	Rate and tax book entries: 25 Dec 1742-25 Mar 1776 Daniel Mearne Cathay/Redcliffe Hill and Churchyard/Pile Street (SMR-W,Wa,LS,L,PR,H)
	Children: Daniel, bapt 25 Aug 1735, buried 23 Jul 1736 (RPR), Priscilla, bapt 26 Aug 1739 (RPR), Joseph, bapt 25 Jul 1742 (RPR), William Oxford, bapt 24 Nov 1745 (RPR), Daniel II, free 22 Oct 1774 (F, G)

MEARN Daniel II

The son of Daniel Mearn I and the brother of Joseph Mearn (F, A, RPR).

1774	22 Oct. He became a free potter, as he was the son of Daniel Mearn I (F, G).
1774	Potter, St Mary Redcliffe parish (P).
1778	24 May. Possibly the Daniel Mearn who married Penelopy Stephens (PPR).
1781	Potter, St James’s Street, St James’s, Westminster, London (P).
1783	29 Jul. Penelope, daughter of Daniel and Penelope Mearn, baptised (RPR).
1784	Potter, St Philip and Jacob parish (P).

MEARN (or MEARNE) Edward

1668	Probably the Edward Mearn who was described as an employee of Alice Huntington at the Brislington Pottery in her will (PRO Prob. 11/328).
1673	21 Nov. Described as a potter late of Brislington, deceased, when his daughter, Eleanor, was apprenticed to John Scott, mariner, as a maid servant (A).

MEARN (or MEARNE) Henry

Possibly the father of John Mearn II (RPR).

1709	18 May. John, son of Henry Mearn, baptised (RPR).
1713	3 May. Daniel, son of Henry Mearn, baptised (RPR).
1713	6 Aug. He became a free gallypotmaker, as he had been apprenticed to Thomas Frank I (F).
1722	Potter, St Mary Redcliffe parish (P).
1726	12 Aug. ‘Henry Mearn, aged upwards of 40 years’ buried (RPR).
1726	23 Aug. ‘Henry Mearne, potter, St Mary Redcliffe’ buried (RB).
1730	12 Dec. Possibly his wife, Elizabeth Mearn, ‘aged about 50 years’ buried (RPR).
	Rate and tax book entries: 1709-1720 Henry Mearn (SMR-LS,PR,L) 29 Sep 1721-25 Mar 1727] Henry Mearn Redcliffe Hill (SMR-PR,L) [1727-25 Mar 1729 Widow Mearn (SMR-PR)

MEARN (or MEARNE) John I

1668	He was described as an employee of Alice Huntington at the Brislington Pottery in her will (PRO Prob. 11/328).

MEARN (or MEARNE, MERN) John II

Possibly the son of Henry Mearn (RPR).

1709	18 May. Possibly the John, son of Henry Mearn, baptised (RPR).
1732 & 38	Noted as a potter on the baptism of his children (RPR).
1740	10 Jul. ‘Elizabeth Horler spst. agst. John Mearns works at Mr Frank’s potthouse’ (C). See also Thomas Frank I.
1740	28 Aug. ‘Thomas Smart agst John Mearne – Pile Street’ (C).
1742-48	Noted as a potter on the baptism of his children (RPR).
1751	22 Aug. Possibly the John Mearn buried (RPR).
	Rate and tax book entries: [24 Jun 1732-25 Mar 1733] John Mearn (SMR-L) [25 Mar 1739-25 Mar 1751] John Mearn Pile Street (SMR-L,PR) 25 Mar 1750 ‘John Mearn Poor’ Pile Street (SMR-W) [25 Mar 1751-25 Mar 1760 Widow Mearn Pile Street (SMR-PR,Wa)
	Children: Mary, bapt 21 Aug 1732 (RPR), Henry, bapt 24 Jan 1738 (RPR), Henry, bapt 18 May 1739 (RPR), Jonathan, bapt 28 Mar 1742 (RPR), Mary, bapt 28 Sep 1745 (RPR), Hugh, bapt 18 Mar 1748 (RPR)

MEARN (or MEARNE, MERN) Joseph

The son of Daniel Mearn I and the brother of Daniel Mearn II (RPR).

1742	25 Jul. Joseph, son of Daniel I and Pricilla Mearn, baptised (RPR).
1758	6 Feb or 6 Mar. He was apprenticed to John and Susannah Harwell. Friends to find apparel (A, Ao).
1774	29 Oct. He became a free potter (F, G).
1774 & 1781	Potter, Lambeth (P).

MEARS Joseph

1823	31 Aug. St Paul’s parish on the baptism of his daughter Elizabeth. Wife Jane (PPR).

MELLOR Arthur

Born c1884 in Cobridge, Staffordshire (11C).

1911	Potter’s presser, 21 Parnall Road, Fishponds (27) (11C).

MELSOM Edward

See the Potteries List section for the St Philip’s Pottery 4 and 124 Temple Street Pottery.

St Philip’s Pottery 4
The Pottery had previously been run by George Cox.

c1827-36

Edward and Francis Melsom I, ran the St Philip’s Pottery 4, trading as Edward Melsom & Company. They may have been brothers.

Edward and Francis Melsom I took over the 124 Temple Street Pottery in 1836 and the St Philip’s Pottery 4 then appears to have closed.

124 Temple Street Pottery
The Pottery had previously been run by John Milsom.

1823-25

John Milsom and Edward Melsom ran the 124 Temple Street Pottery, trading as Milsom and Melsom.

The Partnership between John Milsom and Edward Melsom was dissolved in November 1825. The Pottery was then run by John Milsom until it was purchased by Edward and Francis Melsom I in 1836.

1836-58

Edward and Francis Melsom I ran the 124 Temple Street Pottery.

Francis Melsom I died in 1858 and the Pottery was then run by Edward Melsom.

1858-61

Edward Melsom ran the 124 Temple Street Pottery.

The Pottery was taken over by Francis Melsom II, who was probably his nephew.

Born c1794 in Bristol, possibly the brother of Francis Melsom I (51C).

1818	‘Edw. Melsom’. He was one of eight journeymen potters who was convicted of entering into an unlawful agreement for ‘controlling and affecting Messrs. Wm. & Thos. Powell, being persons carrying on the manufacture trade or business of a potter, in the conduct or management thereof, & severally sentenced to be imprisoned in the House of Correction for one month’. The Bright goblet to commemorate this event was made on 4 Dec. 1818 (Bristol Museum Acc. No. 2225). Described as ‘Edward Milsom’ in the newspaper report of the case (BG).
1823	Survey & valuation of Temple parish: 124 Temple Street (west side), proprietor Mrs Clements, occupier Edward Melsome, dwelling house, stoneware shop and manufactory, annual value £24 (BRO Temple AJ2 & 04248).
1823-26	Milsom & Melsom, Temple Street (Temple-Wa). [After 1826 Messrs Milsoms]
1823-26	Milsom & Melsom, 124 Temple Street, stoneware potters and patent water pipe manufacturers (MD).
1825	26 Nov. Partnerships dissolved ‘J. & E. Milsom of Bristol, brown stone potters’ (FFJ).
1830	Edward Melsom & Co., Avon Street, stoneware potters (MD).
1830	Edward ‘Milsom’, jnr, Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1831-34	Edward and Francis Melsom, Avon Street, stoneware potters (MD).
1832	Edward ‘Milsom’, jnr, Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1832	Edward ‘Milsom’ jnr, Temple Street, Temple parish (List of Electors BRO 04736).
1833	Cheese Lane and Avon Street, E. Melsom, pottery £10; E. Melsom, dwellinghouse & kilns, void; E. Melsom, dwellinghouse, void (BRO EP/A/47).
1833	Edward Melsom paid £3.18s.9d duty on his manufacture of stone bottles (from the ‘Fifth Report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the Management and Collection of the Excise Revenue [on] Stone Bottles and Sweets, London, 1834’).
1835-36	Edward & Francis Melsom, Avon Street, stone ware and patent water pipe manufacturers (MD).
1835	Edward Melsom, jnr, Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1836	Pottery, 100 Temple Street, Redcliff Ward (WL).
1836	21 Mar. Lease of premises in Temple Street vested in Lydia Clements. Indenture bearing the date 31 Dec 1834 made between Lydia Clements and Francis and Edward Melsom. Lydia Clements caused the messuage and premises to be put up for public auction on 15 Oct 1835 at which auction F. & E. Melsom were declared the purchasers at the sum of £410 of the messuage together with the potters kiln and other erections and buildings set up by Lydia Clements. Premises numbered 124 Temple Street, then in the tenure of John Melsom, stone potter, as tenant (P/St.T/D274).
1836	22 Mar. Counterpart lease of a messuage and premises in Temple Street. The feoffees to Messrs Francis Melsom and Edward Melsom of the out parish of St Philip and Jacob, brown stone ware potters and co-partners in trade of the other part. Granted the messuage and tenement called by the name of the Mansion Place otherwise Foster’s Place in Temple Street, heretofore in the tenure of Ezekiel Longman and Thomas Whittuck, Esther Wells and John Melsom, brown stone ware potter, and now of the said Edward and Francis Melsom … Lives Francis Melsom now aged about 45 years, Edward Melsom now aged about 43 years. It extended from Temple Street on the east part to a garden ground now in the holding of Messrs Charles Price and Son on the west part (P/St.T/D.274).
1836	22 Mar. No. 2 in Plan Book. Plan and elevation. Shows cone in back garden. Francis Melsom, age 45, Edward Melsom, age 43 (P/St.T/Ch/3/32).
1836	27 Jun. Temple Street, Francis & Edward Melsom, brown stone potters, messuage formerly called the Mansion Place or Fosters Place in Temple Street, formerly in the tenure of John Milsom, brown stone ware potter (P/St.T/D.273/4).
1837-59	Edward & F. Melsom, 124 Temple Street, stoneware and patent water pipe manufacturers (previously of Avon Street) (MD).
1837	Edward Melsom, jnr, Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1837	26 May. E. Melsom exported 646 pieces of earthenware to Guernsey and Jersey (PB-EXP).
1841	Edward Melsom, jnr, Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1841	Temple Street, Temple parish (45), living with his wife Sarah (45) born in Bristol (41C).
1847-62	E. & F. Melsom and E. Melsom were exporting stoneware, including stone bottles, to Jersey, Guernsey and Quebec (PB-EXP).
1851	Stoneware manufacturer, 124 Temple Street (57), living with his wife Sarah (55) (51C).
1851	Bristol Survey: Temple Street, E & F Melsom (owner & occupier) House & Pottery £30.
1852	Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1860	4 Oct. Conveyance of 124 Temple Street (No. 2 in Plan Book), a messuage and buildings in the rear used as a Stoneware Pottery and warehouses with court yard. Leases: Francis & Edward Melsom, lease dated 22 Mar 1836 for 99 years held on the life of Edward Melsom, occupier Edward Melsom (BRO P/St.T/D30).
1860-62	E. Melsom exported stoneware, including stoneware pipes, to Jersey and Quebec (PB-EXP).
1860-62	Edward Melsom, 124 Temple Street, white glazed and patent stone ware potter and patent water pipe manufacturer (MD).
1861	Stoneware manufacturer employing 9 men and 7 boys, 124 Temple Street (68), living with his wife Sarah (66) and Jane Rees (17) a house servant, born in Bristol (61C).
1873	6 Feb. He died, aged 79, in Clifton. His will was proved on 26 Feb 1873 by his wife Sarah Melsom. He was described as a gentleman of 2 Ashley Terrace, Ashley Hill and left effects valued at under £2000 (Ancestry website).

MELSOM Francis I

See the Potteries List section for the St Philip’s Pottery 4 and 124 Temple Street Pottery.

St Philip’s Pottery 4

The Pottery had previously been run by George Cox.

c1827-36

Edward and Francis Melsom I, ran the St Philip’s Pottery 4, trading as Edward Melsom & Company. They may have been brothers.

Edward and Francis Melsom then took over the 124 Temple Street Pottery in 1836 and the St Philip’s Pottery 4 appears to have closed.

124 Temple Street Pottery
The Pottery was previously run by John Milsom.

1836-58

Edward and Francis Melsom I ran the 124 Temple Street Pottery.

Francis Melsom I died in 1858 and the Pottery was then run by Edward Melsom.

Born c1790 in Bristol, possibly the brother of Edward Melsom, the father of Francis Melsom II (TPR, P/St.T/D.273/4).

1790	25 May. He was baptised at Temple church, the son of Edward and Catherine Melsom (TPR).
1830	Francis ‘Milsom’, Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1831-34	Edward and Francis Melsom, Avon Street, stoneware potters (MD).
1832	Francis ‘Milsom’, Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1832	Francis ‘Milsom’, Temple Street, Temple parish (List of Electors BRO 04736).
1835	Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1835-36	Edward & Francis Melsom, Avon Street, stone ware and patent water pipe manufacturers (MD).
1835	15 Aug. He married Martha Hook (or Flook) at St Paul’s church (Ancestry website).
1836	Pottery, 100 Temple Street, Redcliff Ward (WL).
1836	21 Mar. Lease of premises in Temple Street vested in Lydia Clements. Indenture bearing the date 31 Dec 1834 made between Lydia Clements and Francis and Edward Melsom. Lydia Clements caused the messuage and premises to be put up for public auction on 15 Oct 1835 at which auction F. & E. Melsom were declared the purchasers at the sum of £410 of the messuage together with the potters kiln and other erections and buildings set up by Lydia Clements. Premises numbered 124 Temple Street, then in the tenure of John Melsom, stone potter, as tenant (P/St.T/D.274).
1836	22 Mar. Counterpart lease of a messuage and premises in Temple Street. The feoffees to Messrs Francis Melsom and Edward Melsom of the out parish of St Philip and Jacob, brown stone ware potters and co-partners in trade of the other part. Granted the messuage and tenement called by the name of the Mansion Place in Temple Street, heretofore in the tenure of Ezekiel Longman and Thomas Whittuck, Esther Wells and John Melsom, brown stone ware potter, and now of the said Edward and Francis Melsom … Lives Francis Melsom now aged about 45 years, Edward Melsom now aged about 43 years (P/St.T/D.273/4).
1836	22 Mar. No. 2 in Plan Book. Plan and elevation. Shows cone in back garden. Francis Melsom, age 45, Edward Melsom, age 43 (P/St.T/Ch/3/32).
1836	27 Jun. Temple Street, Francis & Edward Melsom, brown stone potters, messuage formerly called the Mansion Place or Fosters Place in Temple Street, formerly in the tenure of John Milsom, brown stone ware potter (P/St.T/D.273/4).
1837-59	Edward & F. Melsom, 124 Temple Street, stoneware and patent water pipe manufacturers (previously of Avon Street) (MD).
1837	Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1841	Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1841	Stone ware manufacturer, Union Place, Bedminster (40), living with his wife Martha (26) and children and Sarah Night (20), servant (41C).
1851	Master potter, employing 8 men, 5 St Vincent’s Place, Bedminster (50). He was living with his wife Martha (35) and children, and a house servant, Susan Pain (51C).
1851	Bristol Survey: Temple Street, E & F Melsom (owner & occupier) House & Pottery £30.
1851	16 Aug. Probably his wife ‘Mrs Melsom, Pottery, Temple Street’ who was injured in a railway accident involving the collision of two trains at Brislington (Bristol Mercury, Bristol Times).
1852	Temple Street, Temple parish (P).
1858	6 Dec. A stoneware manufacturer, he died at Vincent Place, Bedminster. Letters of Administration were granted to Martha Melsom, his widow, and Francis Melsom, his son. Effects were valued at under £3000 (Ancestry website).
1860	4 Oct. Conveyance of 124 Temple Street (No. 2 in Plan Book) a messuage and buildings in the rear used as a Stoneware Pottery and warehouses with court yard. Leases: Francis & Edward Melsom, lease dated 22 Mar 1836 for 99 years held on the life of Edward Melsom, occupier Edward Melsom (P/St.T/D30).
	Children:
	Francis, born c1837 in Bristol (41C), George, born c1839 in Bristol (41C), Martha, born c1840 in Bristol (41C), Harriet, born c1846 in Bristol (51C), George, born c1848 in Bristol (51C), Joseph, born c1850 in Bristol (51C).

MELSOM Francis II

See the Potteries List section for the 124 Temple Street Pottery.

The Pottery had previously been run by Edward Melsom, who was probably his uncle.

1861-67

Francis Melsom II ran the 124 Temple Street Pottery.

The Pottery then closed.

Born c1837 in Bristol, the son of Francis Melsom I (51C).

1851	A scholar, 5 St Vincent’s Place, Bedminster, living with his parents and siblings (51C).
1861	6 Vincent Place, Bedminster (24), living with his mother Martha, a widow, born in Bitton (61C).
1861-66	Advertisement: ‘F. Melsom, stoneware manufacturer, 124 Temple Street’ (MD).
1863-67	Francis Melsom, 124 Temple Street, white glazed and stoneware potter and patent water pipe manufacturer (MD).
1871	Potter, 11 New Walls Road, Bedminster (34), living with his mother Martha, a widow, who was living on income from property (71C).
1881	Earthenware maker, lodging at 4 Richmond Street, Bedminster (44) (81C).
1891	Potter, inmate, Barton Regis Workhouse, Stapleton (54) (91C).

MERCHANT George James

Born c1833 in Temple parish (TPR).

1833	15 Sep. He was baptised at Temple church, the son of John Merchant (Ancestry website).
1851	3 Crown Court, Temple parish (17), living with his mother Harriet Merchant, widow, a charwoman, born in Chew Magna, Somerset, and brother Henry (16), a potter (51C).
1856	15 Dec. Temple parish (23) the son of John Merchant, a twine spinner, he married Martha Shankland (22) of Temple parish, the daughter of John Shankland, a blacksmith (TPR).
1861	Potter, Prospect Parade, St Philip’s parish (27), living with his wife Martha (26), born in Carmarthenshire, and children (61C).
1865	Industrial Exhibition catalogue: James Merchant, thrower, at Whites, Baptist Mills (Bristol Tracts, Bristol Reference Library B1023).
1871	Potter thrower (Publican), widower, 5 Prospect Place, St Philip’s parish (37), living with his children Martha J. (13), George J. (11), both born in Temple parish, and Anne, (9), born in St Philip’s parish (71C).
1875	8 Jan. Described as a potter and beerhouse keeper he died at the Phoenix Beerhouse, Baptist Mills. His will was proved by William Dodge, painter, of 14 Great Gardens, Temple parish. Effects were valued under £200 (PRO National Probate Calendar, Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1966).

MERCHANT Harriet

Born c1839 in Bristol (61C).

1861	134 Temple Street, Temple parish (22) (61C).

MERCHANT Henry

Born c1835 in Temple parish, the brother of George James Merchant (51C, 71C).

1851	3 Crown Court, Temple parish (16), living with his mother Harriet Merchant, widow, a charwoman, born in Chew Magna, Somerset, and brother George James (17), a potter (51C).
1855	24 Dec. Temple parish (22), the son of John Merchant, a twine spinner, he married Sarah Harriet Sedgewick (21) of Temple parish, the daughter of John Sedgewick, a potter (TPR).
1861	5 Crown Terrace, Temple parish (26) living with his wife Sarah (27) born in Bristol and son Henry, aged 2 years, born in Bristol (61C).
1868	16 Aug. Widower, Temple parish, the son of John Merchant, a twine spinner, he married Eliza Bryant of Temple parish, the daughter of James Bryant, a carpenter (TPR).
1871	11 Tower Street (Castle of Comfort) (36), living with his wife Eliza (32) born in Liverpool and children (71C).
1875	26 Apr. A potter, he died at Tower Street, Great Gardens, Temple parish. His will was proved by his widow Eliza. Effects were valued at under £200 (PRO National Probate Calendar, Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1966).
	Children: Henry, born c1859 in Bristol (61C), William, born c1862 in Temple parish (71C), John, born c1869 in Temple parish (71C), Henry, born c1871 in Temple parish (71C)

MERCHANT John

Born c1853 in Bristol, the brother of Mary Merchant (71C).

1871	Potter’s labourer, 15 Rose Alley, Temple parish (18), living with his wife Mary Merchant (20), transferer in pottery, born in Bristol, and daughter Elizabeth, a laundress (71C).