James Clews (1790-1861)

of James & Ralph Clews China Pottery, Staffordshire

He and his brother, Ralph, operated the Cobridge works at Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire from 1819 until 1834. They concentrated on exporting blue-and-white china for the American market: "some of the richest pieces of dark-blue color that were ever made by any potter took the form of pieces bearing American historical designs". In the early 1830s, their nephews (John Clews Jackson and his brother, Job) set up their own pottery exporting business and went directly against them. By 1834, the brothers were declared bankrupt and two years later (1836) they moved to the States and established the Indiana Pottery Co., at Troy, Indiana. Owing to the inferior quality of the clay and the general economic climate, the venture was not a success and the brothers returned to England worse off than before. Despite their own business failings, their china is now highly treasured, particularly by American collectors. James' son became one of the wealthiest financiers on Wall Street and his grandson, Henry Jr., created the Chateau de la Napoule in the South France. 

Parents (2)

John Clews

Maltster, Hat Manufacturer & Alderman of Newcastle-under-Lyme

1753-1819

Ann Stevenson

Mrs Ann (Stevenson) Clews

b.1758

Spouse (1)

Elizabeth Kendrick

Mrs Elizabeth (Kendrick) Clews

b.c.1795

Children (2)

John Clews

John Clews, of Dunkirk, Chautauqua County, New York

1826-1862

Henry Clews

Henry Clews Sr., Stockbroker, of Henry Clews & Co., New York

1834-1923

Image from 1stDibs.com; China Collecting in America, by Alice Morse Earle; George Clews & Co., Chameleon Ware