Ceramics by William Adams & Son (England), 19th/20th century

There were three potters with the name William Adams from different branches of the Adams family of potters working during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with some overlapping of production dates. The first was William Adams (1748-1831) of Brick House whose production was not prolific. The second William Adams (1772-1829), was born in Stoke-on-Trent and produced flow-blue ware for the United States market, and the business was continued by his son William (1798-1865). The third, from another branch of the Adams family was William Adams (1746-1805) who was born in Greengates, after reputedly working with Wedgwood. He founded the Greengates Pottery which specialised in the production of creamware and wares that imitated the Wedgwood dark blue jasper ware. On his death the business was taken by his son Benjamin. The pottery was closed in 1820 due to the ill-health of Benjamin. The more... busines was sold outside the family in 1826 but was repurchased by another branch of the Adams family in 1897. It was taken over by the Wedgwood group in 1966. Production of ceramics under the Adams brand ceased in 1998. less...