Joseph Heath & Co. specialised in transfer-printed earthenware—the affordable, mass-produced decorated tableware that made Staffordshire pottery famous worldwide in the early 19th century. Their output included platters, plates, serving dishes, soup tureens, and other domestic items, often in romantic or scenic patterns printed in blue (and sometimes pink, purple, or brown).

Much of their ware was exported to the Americas.

he firm operated as tenants of the Child family estate (originally linked to Admiral Smith Child and earlier partners like Caleb Cole, William Adams, and John Henry Clive). The Newfield Pottery itself dated back to the late 18th century as part of the Newfield estate on the main road between Tunstall and Goldenhill.

impressed 'propeller' mark

- more on the Willow pattern -  

impressed 'propeller' mark

platter in one of the Italian Villas patterns

Italian Villas was a series of romantic patterns on ware with a wavy edge.
the design was printed in light blue, pink, purple and brown

Italian Villas
J. H. & Co.

serving plate in one of the Italian Villas patterns

Italian Villas
J. H. & Co.

plate in the Lombardy pattern

a romantic view with Lombardy poplar trees alongside a lake shore
with gondolas in the foreground and background  

Lombardy
J. Heath & Co.

this plate also bears an impressed 'propeller' mark, set within a circle of dots - this mark was often used by Joseph Heath & Co

Richard Jordan (1756–1826) was a prominent Quaker minister and abolitionist whose life spanned the formative years of the United States. Born in Norfolk County, Virginia, he became a "globetrotting" evangelist known for his extensive travels and his advocacy for social justice.

Throughout his life, he stood firmly against slavery, advocating for freedom and equality at a time when such views were often unpopular.

He visited every yearly meeting of the Society of Friends then in existence. In 1797, he toured the Northern states, where he met with government officials—including President John Adams—to advocate for justice for African Americans.

He spent two years (1800-1802 travelling through England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Holland, and France.

His home in Camden, New Jersey, USA became so well-known that it was featured in a popular "Historical Staffordshire" pottery pattern titled "The Residence of the Late Richard Jordan," showing him in a wide-brimmed Quaker hat.

A view of the residence of the late
Richard Jordan
taken from Newtown Meeting House
New Jersey

This view of Jordan, standing outside his farmhouse at Camden, New Jersey in 1826, was drawn by his friend William Mason.

The Residence of the late
Richard Jordan
New Jersey
J. H. & Co.

(printed) 

the mark also includes the 
impressed 'propeller' mark

Joseph Heath & Co often used an impressed circular mark - variously described as a 'propeller' or a 'potters wheel mark'.  

This mark was mostly used with a printed mark (generally containing the pattern name) and sometimes on its own with no other mark.

The style of the propeller and dots making the outer circle vary - there is no known explanation for these variation. 

(printed)

J. H. & Co.  (printed)

and impressed 'propeller' mark

and impressed 'propeller' mark

I. H. & Co.  

(printed)

and impressed 'propeller' mark

There was a pottery attached to the Newfield estate on the main road between Tunstall and Goldenhill towards the end of the 18th century when it was worked by John and Caleb Cole. By 1802 it was in the hands of Caleb and his brother-in-law William Adams of Greengates and was apparently held by William alone at the time of his death in 1805. 

It was then advertised as being to let, but by 1806 it was being worked by the owner of the Newfield estate, Admiral Smith Child, from 1809 in partnership with John Henry Clive. After the Admiral's death in 1813 Clive managed both estate and works on behalf of the heir, Smith Child, probably until c. 1824. The products of Child and Clive included good quality cream ware. 

Until 1872 the pottery remained in the hands of tenants, including Joseph Heath and Company from 1824 until at least 1841 and Podmore, Walker, and Company between at least 1848 and 1853. 

In 1872 Smith Child sold it to William Adams of Greenfield, the tenant since at least 1860. It was worked by W. H. Grindley and Company from at least 1880 until 1891 and was taken over by T. Rathbone and Company in 1892. 

Since 1918 it has been in the hands of Alfred Meakin (Tunstall) Ltd., who also work the Royal Albert and Victoria Potteries in Parsonage Street and opened a new works on a site off Hollywall Lane in 1957.

Source: 'Tunstall', in A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 8, ed. J G Jenkins (London, 1963), pp. 81-104. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol8/pp81-104