Earthenware manufacturer at the Lower Manufactory, Cobridge, (Burslem), Stoke-on-Trent, England.

• The three brothers - James, Ralph and Andrew Stevenson were variously involved as pottery dealers (in Glasgow) and manufactures in North Staffordshire. 

• The details are complicated and the presentation 'James, Ralph & Andrew Stevenson. Potters of Cobridge' should be refered to for more details. 

• Ralph Stevenson (b.1776) was the middle son. From 1800 he was involved the earthernware manufacture partnership of Stevenson & Dale and from 1803 as Stevenson & Godwin.  

• In November 1810 this partnership was dissolved and Ralph was in business on his own account. Ralph also owned a colour works with Thomas Maydew. 

• In 1812 Ralph Stevenson accompanied Josiah Wedgwood II to give evidence to a House of Commons enquiry into the depressed state of trade in the pottery industry. They petititioned for “An open trade to America [which] would remove the distress of the Potters in Staffordshire.” Trade with America was restored in 1815.

• In 1824-25 the colour works were converted into a china manufactory. 

• By 1824 Ralph Stevenson had taken Augustus Aldborough Lloyd Williams into partnership trading as Stevenson & Williams, not long afterwards Samuel Alcock joined the partnership which then traded as Ralph Stevenson, Alcock & Williams.  

• In August 1826 this partnership was divided - Stevenson and Lloyd Williams continuing as “Potters”, and Stevenson and Alcock continuing as “Samuel Alcock & Co.” to make “china”. 

• In November 1827 the partnership with Lloyd Williams was dissolved.

•  In 1831 the partnership with Alcock expired and Ralph took his son John Adams Stevenson into partnership.

• Around 1834 the business suffered financially, probably as a result of strikes and industrial disputes in the pottery town. In 1835 the first notice of their bankruptcy appeared and in April of 1836 the Bankruptcy was official.

• Ralph Stevenson was involved in the establishment of the Potteries Mechanics' Institution in 1826. From about 1803 to 1818 he lived at Cobridge Cottage, situated off Elder Road, in the area of the later Grange Street. His house later became a convent, then the home of his earlier partner Samuel Alcock. Ralph died in nearby Sandon village in 1853. 

The London Gazette
1st May 1827


notice of the dissolution of the partnership 
between Ralph Stevenson, Alcock & Williams

 the business to be carried on by Samuel Alcock and Ralph Stevenson as Samuel Alcock & Co

Dated 11 August 1826 

Dated 5th November 1827 

(note the misspelling of Cobridge)

Flow blue plate with gilding by Ralph Stevenson, Alcock & Williams

this pattern was produced in dinner and tea sets

some ware carries either of the two marks shown - some is unmarked 

R Stevenson. Alcock & Williams

this mark, with the American eagle was used on ware destined for America 

R Stevenson. Alcock & Williams
Cobridge

Beehive plattern plate by Stevenson & Williams

Stevenson & Williams
Cobridge Staffordshire

blue transferware plate - Harvard College
 by Stevenson Williams

Harvard College
RS.W.

some 'Harvard College' ware does not have a markers name or initials - these could be from any of the partnerships or Ralph Stevenson on his own 

photos courtesy:  Anne Fletcher