• Thomas Harley was previously in partnership with his half brothers George, William and John Weston. 

• Harley left that partnership in December 1801 and set up business on his own account as an enameller, black printer and earthenware manufacturer (Mankowitz & Hagar p105).

• In 1808 he was joined by a Mr Seckerson and the business traded as Harley & Seckerson. 

Note that Mankowitz & Hagar (M&H) incorrectly gives the date of the formation of this partnership as 1818 and this error has been replicated in other publications and across the internet. 
Godden give the date as 1808 (p311) and the partnership is listed in the 1809 Holden directory (Henrywood p144).

• M&H (p105) notes that:

  • Harley "was of some importance locally, and his name occurs in connection with a meeting for the abolition of the Slave Trade in 1814 and as a member of a committee of manufacturers protesting against the unfair incidence of the Window Tax in 1815." 

  • "Harley also owned a pot-work on the canal at Greenbank, St. Helens, and a shop on St. Thomas Street, Dublin."

  • "He died at St. Helens in August 1832 and his will was proved at Chester 4 February 1833."

Harley

"Thomas Harley, a manufacturer at "Lane End", produced some good earthenware services, jugs and other articles. 

He sometimes marked with his name in full in writing letters T Harley, Laneend, and at other times HARLEY." 

Jewitt L (1878), Ceramic Art of Great Britain.., Virtue and Co., London, p421

impressed mark