Robert Lewis Johnson

  General Notes:

Robert was a successful business man who started Johnson Brothers pottery, but it is not known whether he was financially well off before. He and his wife lived at Butterton Hall which was a huge house. Family legend had it that you could turn a coach and four in the entrance hall. All the family were born here except for George who was born in America. Robert died quite young, aged 53. His widow then moved to Henshall Hall and later still to a small house in Stone (prior to writing this I'd thought that she bought Henshall but I think it is more likely that after Robert's death she lived with Stuart and Marjorie or in a house in the grounds of Henshall which Stuart had bought; apparently Sarah always criticized Marjorie for the things she did in the house).

The nine sons of Robert and Sarah all went into business in the Potteries.

Harry, the eldest, was in H & R Johnson, making basins, tiles and lavatories. He married Queenie who was a secretary in the firm. His partner was Alfred until they fell out. Alfred wanted to sell his share against the wish of Harry. He eventually managed in an underhand way, asking his brother-in-law, Tidbury Beere to buy shares. Harry's son, Derek, joined his father at H & R, he was a very good businessman, but died young of lung cancer. He married Diana Dillon, a South African. She was very vague and not popular in Cheshire 'because she never answered invitations'! (said Doreen) Derek's older sister Audrey married Sir Gervais Blois, Bt, of Suffolk.

Robert Johnson, second son of Robert & Sarah, went into Johnson Bros. He married first Connie, then Daisy. The third son, Ernest also entered Johnson Bros. He married Anna, an American from New Jersey. Ernest played cricket for England, and he also played in many test matches.

Alfred, the fourth son, went into H&R Johnson with Harry. He married Anna's sister, Peggy

George and Leslie both died in World War 1; George on 1^st Nov 1918 at Rouen, just ten days before the armistice, and Leslie at Ypres also in 1918. George had been in Johnson Brothers and Leslie in Alfred Meakin. Eric died whilst hurdling at school on 27^th Jul 1905 aged eleven.

Frank married Marjorie Paul who was born in Suffolk.

Edith married Dr Alec Gill and had no children.

Mabel, the youngest of the family, married Tidbury Beere, a stockbroker. Edith and Mabel carried on the family sporting interests by playing tennis in the Congleton tennis tournament.

By 1881 Robert and Sarah were farming at Plardiwick, Gnosall, Staffordshire (pronounced knowsel) with the first three of their eventual eleven children. Plardiwick is still on the maps at O S Ref SJ818207.

In 1883 Robert and his three brothers (one of whom, Frederick b.1858, had in 1881 married Sarah's sister Charlotte, known as Lottie) decided to set up a pottery factory - Johnson Brothers of Charles Street Works, Hanley, (now demolished) making white tableware.

Johnson Bros, Hanley Ltd was established in 1883 when the Johnson brothers took over the pottery firm J. W. Pankhurst & Co at the Charles Street Works after Pankhurst became bankrupt. Charles Street pottery was originally the works of Charles Mellor founded in 1758, taken over in 1804 by Keeling & Co, who evolved into Toft & May established in1825, with Robert May and William Ridgway as partners, who closed in 1833 and then by Pankhurst from 1850-1883. The works have long since been demolished and redeveloped.

The four 'Johnson Brothers' were Alfred, Frederick, Henry and Robert. The business was at first on a modest scale but expanded over time until Johnson Brothers became probably the largest firm of earthenware manufacturers in the world, controlling a number of factories in England and abroad.

Robert moved to New York around 1896 to establish a presence in the tableware market that was emerging. Johnson Brothers tableware was becoming very popular in America due to its inexpensive and durable product; Sarah must have gone with him because George Washington and Arnold Leslie, the two boys who died in WWW1, were born out there (more info in 1901 census). They were back in England by 1893 when Eric, who died aged eleven, was born in August at Wolstanton.

By 1898, having amalgamated brother Henry's pottery, the brothers owned five factories, four producing table ware and one producing sanitary ware (the Trent Factory): Charles Street works, Imperial Works, Hanley Works , Trent Works in Hanley and the Scotia Road works in Tunstall.

The potting of this firm is distinguished by uncommon lightness and finish.

1898 OS map of the Charles Street Works. Note how close the Sunday school is to the works - just out of sight below the Sunday school is a regular day school. For those who know the area the works position can be identified by the Butchers Market which still stands as the 'Tontine Shops' and is a listed building. The shop marked in green is now a McDonalds. Bottom left is Albion Square where the Albion Hotel was built in 1902. Just out of sight in the bottom left is Hanley Town Hall.

Before the First World War Johnson Brothers Ltd owned a sanitary earthenware factory in Germany, but it was closed down in 1914. In 1947 Johnsons acquired a controlling interest in the Canadian tableware business of Sovereign Pottery Ltd at Hamilton, Ontario along with its factory. In 1957 Johnsons opened a tableware factory at Croydon, Queensland, Australia, which was run by Sovereign.

Johnson Brothers continued its growth in the tableware industry into World War I. The war taxed the company's work force, shipping capabilities and raw materials supplies. When the war was over, production was able to resume at its pre-war pace.

At the start of the Twenties, new shapes, patterns, and bodies were introduced and the "Dawn" range of coloured bodies began for which Johnson Brothers became very well known. New methods were developed for making halloware items which allowed for a more rapid production over the old method of using pressed clay. At the end of the Twenties, the grandsons of the founders entered the business.

During the Thirties the Charles Street Works, the original factory was closed. It was not until the mid Thirties that the new factories got into full production. At the end of the Thirties they introduced a new development using electricity as fuel for firing, rather than raw coal and new brick built tunnels using an automatic ware propelling system replaced the traditional "Bottle Ovens." The more accurately controlled firing system meant better quality and less loss and the conditions for the workers were much improved. A new mould making department and finishing shops accompanied the construction of the electric kiln.

The Second World War came and nearly halted production at Johnson Brothers factories. Although a struggle, the company managed to survive this hardship with sporadic shipments of product to the United States. At the end of the war bombing damage and the need for increased productivity dictated a major overhaul of the Johnson Brothers factories. Modern equipment and larger facilities were installed to improve the day to day production capability of the company. Various plants in England, Canada and Australia were purchased for decorating, glazing and firing of pieces.

In 1968, to offer access to even larger markets, and to remain competitive Johnson Brothers joined the Wedgwood Group. Several other manufacturers including Meakin (the Johnson Brother's maternal Grandfather's company), Coalport, Adams, Midwinter, Crown Staffordshire and Mason's amalgamated with the Wedgwood Group around the same time.

Around 2000 the tableware division of Johnson's moved to the nearby J & G Meakin Eagle Pottery works where they produced until 2004 when manufacturing was transferred abroad. The Eagle Pottery works were demolished in 2005.
Robert died on 18^th May 1909 at Butterton Hall, NuL, 'after a short but severe illness, caused by gallstones, a complaint from which he had suffered for some years, but of late became acute owing to over-exertion in physical exercise.'

Sarah Stubbs died at Granville, Stone on 2^nd Feb 1933 and was buried two days later at St Michaels Church Stone.

In a newspaper cutting, Sarah left estate gross £90,519 2s 8d with net personality £83,993 19s 8d. She left an annuity of £1 per week to Alice Maud Mary Meakin and Samuel Gunn and Karl Veit; a silver prize presented to her late husband for cattle in Newcastle to her son Arthur Stuart Johnson; the Address presented to her late husband in 1888 to son Ernest James Johnson; and subject to a few specific bequests, the residue of her estate equally between her children or their issue.

From Staffordshire Weekly Obituary:

"... for some years prior to 1888 Robert Johnson was one of the largest and most successful tenant farmers in Staffs. In that year he joined his three brothers in their business of earthenware manufacturers, which they had started at Hanley a few years previously. In order to do this he had relinquished his farming pursuits, of which he was very fond. After joining his brothers, he went to the US with his family, and resided there for some years as the American rep of his firm, and we believe it is an admitted fact that no English potter ever made himself so popular in the States in so short a time as the late Mr J did. In fact he had an extraordinary capacity of making and keeping friends....he was called home to assist his brothers.... most successful businesses of its kind in Staffs potteries.... only last year he purchased Alfred Meakin Ltd in Tunstall, where he has since placed some of his sons. Mr J had a wonderful memory and extraordinary admin powers... intricate detail. Fondness of farming pursuits under a bailiff... very keen sportsman... best game shots in Staffs ... on Butterton estate.. as well as Keele estate ....a kindly and genial host, considerate and generous employer... keen observer of current events. In politics a Unionist and a staunch Churchman. Leaves a widow and ten children'.

The Times 20 May 1909

Mr Robert Lewis Johnson, a principal of the firm of Johnson Brothers, ceramic manufacturers, in business in a very large wat in the Staffordshire Potteries, died recently at his residence, Butterton Hall, Newcastle under lyme.

Mr Johnson was originally a farmer, but many years ago he joined his brothers who had already started in the pottery manufacturing business. He had an extraordinary memory and great administrative powers and quickly grasped the details of an intricate business. The firm today employ some 5,000 hands, and have four works in Handley, one in Tunstall, and one at Cobridge. For some years Mr Johnson resided in America where he devloped the business of the firm very largely.

  Noted events in his life were:

• He signed a will £123,975-5-7.

• Occupation/Address: Scholar, 1861, New Building Farm, Draycott in the Moors, Staffordshire.

• Occupation/Address: Farmer 370 Acres 6 Men 2 Boys, 1881, Plardiwick, Gnosall, Staffs.

• Occupation/Address: Earthenware manufacturer, 1901, Butterton Hall, Butterton, Staffordshire.

Robert married Julia Johnson.

Robert next married Sarah Stubbs, daughter of William Stubbs and Hannah Williams, on 30 Apr 1877 in St Paul, Forebridge, Stafford.³ (Sarah Stubbs was born on 31 Jan 1855 in Stockton, Staffordshire ¹⁸, christened on 6 Mar 1855 in Berkswich, Staffordshire, died on 2 Feb 1933 in Granville, Stone and was buried on 4 Feb 1933 in St Michael's, Stone, Staffordshire.)