William Fairbairns (& Sons)

Location and period of operation:

William Fairbairns was a partner in a number of china and earthenware manufacturers in Hanley and Longton Stoke-on-Trent

He also has a business with his three sons until 1891 - William Henry Fairbairns, Francis Robert Fairbairns and Thomas Richard Fairbairns trading as Wm Fairbairns and Sons as pottery and glass merchants and agents  

Ware was produced marked 'Wm Fairbairns' and 'Wm Fairbairns & Sons'   

• Thomas Cooper, Shelton (Hanley)  1863-65
  Trading as Keeling, Walker & Cooper. Upon Thomas Coopers death, William Fairbairns, Edwin Clarke, John Higginbottom, and John Cartlidge were the executors and trustees, who continued the firm, until this partnership was dissolved on 19 January 1866 and the business was continued by Herbert Keeling and John Walker. 

• Thomas Cooper was also a partner in John Cartlidge & Co., china manufacturer in Longton along with Edwin Clarke, William Fairbairns, John Higginbottom and John Cartlidge. This partnership was dissolved on 16th December 1865 and the business was continued by John Cartlidge on his own account.

 

London Gazette
23 January 1866 

notice of the dissolution of the firm of Keeling, Walker & Cooper
William Fairbairns was a partner in this company 

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London Gazette
19 December 1865 

notice of the dissolution of the firm of John Cartlidge & Co
William Fairbairns was a partner in this company 

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• Ambrose Bevington (& Co.) Hanley,  1871-91. 
  During the 1880-91 period, the trade name was Ambrose Bevington and Co. 
  At the time of the Dissolution of Partnership on December 31, 1891, William Fairbairns was Ambrose Bevington's partner. 
  At that time, both these potter's were also concerned with the Hanley Porcelain Company. 
  

• Hanley Porcelain Co., Hanley,  1891-98. 
  This company of Burton Place, Hanley, succeeded Thomas Bevington. However, Ambrose Bevington and William Henry Fairbairns were also involved until the Dissolution of Partnership on December 31, 1891.

London Gazette
5 January 1892 

notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Ambrose Bevington 
and Wiliam Henry Fairbairns at the firm of Ambrose Bevington & Co
and the Hanley Porcelain Company

plate with the mark WM. Fairbairns in an oval garter type belt 

plate with the mark WM. Fairbairns & Sons in an round garter type belt 

Marks used on ware for identification:

WM. Fairbairns
oval garter type belt 

WM. Fairbairns
circular garter type belt with crown above

WM. Fairbairns & Sons

London Gazette
14 April 1891 

notice of dissolution of partnership between
William Fairbairns, William Henry Fairbairns, Francis Robert Fairbairns
and Thomas Richard Fairbairns trading as Wm Fairbairns and Sons
Merchants and Agents 

London Gazette
6 October 1893 

notice of payment of dividends to creditors of
William Henry Fairbairns and Francis Robert Fairbairns
trading as William Fairbairns and Sons 
Crockery & Glass Factors and Agents

Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks