Convict-era

 Pottery Bottles

N Dunn

Nichodemas Dunn is believed to have used a rare stamp variation, with the addition of a ‘Thistle’ symbol between his initial and surname while he was licensee of the Thistle Inn in 1844. Dunn and R. Butler (see right) are only two makers known to have a pictorial symbol included with their name on early convict era bottles.

"N * Dunn" – 10oz/26oz   (* = Thistle symbol)

"N. Dunn" – 10 oz

"Fowler/N* Dunn" – 10 oz (* = Thistle symbol)

"G.McArthur/N. Dunn" – 10oz

"Moreton/N. Dunn" – 10oz/26oz 

("Fowler" Fig 8/"R Butler" - 10oz - also used the Thistle symbol – was R. Butler also at the Thistle Inn?)

T Field

The potter Thomas Field was, amongst other things, listed as a publican at 614 George Street in 1847.

"T Field" – 10oz

W Garfield

William Garfield was licencee of the Albion Inn, Pitt Street, in 1839.

"W.G." – 26oz

"W. Garfield" – 10oz

"W. Garfield" (script) - 10oz

The potter Leak was, amongst other things, the licensee of the 'Currancy Lass', on the corner of Campbell and Castlereagh Street. From June 1830-June 1832.

(Reference: Leak - Colonial Potter. D. Hardy/S. Cross, 1994.)

"Leak" - 10oz/26oz

"J. Leak" - 26oz

"J. Leak" (sloping stamp) - 10oz

"J. Leak" (2 mm high stamp) - 10oz

"J.L." - 10oz/26oz (Believed to be Leak's initials)

A Sydney brewer who was operating from 1831-1837. She is listed as the publican of the 'Blue Posts'  located in Gloucester Street, Sydney in 1831. Later she was operating from Pitt Street.

Editor's note: although there is no absolute confirmation, it is generally considered that the impressed stamp are the initials of H. Pawley.

Above: Announcement of granted publican licence for Hannah Pawley of Gloucester Street. 21st June, 1831. Sydney Herald.

Edward Smith, born in Nottingham, England, was arrested for housebreaking and sentenced to 14 years jail. He served time in England then was transported to Australia. He arrived in 1831 and June 16th he was issued with a license to sell intoxicating beverages under the sign of the 'Blue Bell'. The Blue Bell was an early Parramatta Tavern located in rose Street (named Ross Street from 1836). Smith was at the tavern from 1834-1837. In June, 1838, he applied for and received a publican's license for the White Horse Cellars, also in Parramatta. He stayed there until 1847.

The Smith bottle displaying the stamp 'Parramatta' is very sought after because the addition of the place name adds such historical significance.

"Leak/Ned Smith" – 10oz

"E. Smith" – 10oz

"Ned Smith" – 10oz/26oz  (10 oz - see below)

"E.Smith Parramatta" – 10oz/26oz 

"Parramatta" - 10 oz  (An incomplete E. Smith?)      

Union Hotel

No record of which Sydney 'Union Hotel' produced these early bottles. Extremely rare. The only sample of a convict era bottle with a hotel name impressed on it.

Editor's note: This bottle possibly belongs to Samuel Thornton, Union Hotel (see newspaper item just below).

Above: Announcement of granted publican licence for Samuel Thornton, Union Hotel. 21st June, 1831. Sydney Herald.

P Whelan

Philip Whelan was, amongst other things, listed as a publican from 1842-43, 1851 and 1845.

"Fowler" Fig 8/"P. Whelan" – 26oz

"Whelan" - 10oz

"P. Whelan" – 10oz

Ned Smith, impressed stamp, 10 ounce ginger beer. Extremely rare.