“Genealogy research is about identifying the correct people to attach to our family trees. Who have you worked hard to identify? Another way to interpret the theme would be to highlight someone like my grandfather, who could spot and correctly identify all kinds of mushrooms.” prompt for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks by Amy Johnson Crow Week 8 I Can Identify.
At some point in time I pestered my mom to tell me stories about the items kept in the cupboard “not to be touched.” I grew up in a family with 8 children so I am sure she was keeping these memories safe from little clumsy hands. I thought she said this platter came from England with her 2nd great grandparents when they emigrated to the United States. Knowing myself, I probably heard England and ran with the rest of the story. If I didn’t have to document what is in my tree I would have many romantic tall tales with a tiny bit of truth thrown in the mix. My ‘I can identify story’ is about a platter and its origins.
My first moment of doubt came when I realized they arrived from England with seven children, the youngest was one year old. I can’t imagine keeping all of the children together on the trip and trying to protect heirlooms at the same time. According to the 1900 Census they arrived in 1850. I found them in the 1850 Census in Lee County, Iowa.
It looks like it says Thomas is 38 in this Census, but in the 1850 Census he is 57, and 68 in the 1860. I believe he is actually 48 here. I am thinking the 11 year old daughter of Thomas and Mary, may be the family member who purchased this platter.
I asked in a genealogy group on Facebook if anyone knew where I could research this company and if anyone knew anything about it. Much to my disappointment the J. & G. Meakin company began in 1851, so clearly this was not brought to the U.S. when they emigrated. I had tried google image search but was not able to find an image just like this one. I did eventually stumble on a site that told the history of the company. The site had many marks from their pottery and china but none like this. I found an email for the writer of the site and sent him a query with photos about this platter. He was very helpful and answered my questions within a few days.
He answered all my questions with links included as to why his answers were true. I didn’t expect such a quick response and am very grateful for the kindness he exhibited in helping this stranger solve a mystery. In 1890 the McKinley Tariff Act required all imports to the U.S. to say the country of origin. That means this was most likely purchased in 1890 or later. Steve, the site owner, said this is a ‘generic transferware, typical of this period.’ J & G Meakin exported large amounts of ware to America. This mark with the representative American eagle under the globe would have been used for America.
‘Royal Semi Porcelain’ was a name used by a number of pottery companies for their ironstone ware. If you are like me and have never heard of ironstone before I have included a link that gives a description. They were looking for a substitute for porcelain that could be massed produced. It doesn’t contain any iron but it does sound like strong, sturdy ware doesn’t it? It has lasted all these years so there must be something to it.
We estimate this photo was taken between 1890-1895. I am wondering if this platter was used for the dinner.
Anna is the 11 year old girl from the 1850 Census. Do you think she remembered her time in England and felt nostalgic. It may have given her a connection to her parents who had passed away in 1875 and 1880. Charles William is my great grandfather and the oldest son of Anna and Ira Smith. As the oldest he would most likely have inherited this platter at the death of his parents.
This is my grandmother in the family dinner photo. She was born in 1883 in Nebraska. I am thinking she is 8-13 years in this photo. What age do you think she is? So, if the platter is on this table it was purchased around 1891-1896. It could be it was purchased by my grandmother long after this photo was taken but I really think it is likely to have been purchased by Anna. That is my romantic twist to the story although I would have brought it along from England with their original voyage if I could. I guess I can’t definitively say who purchased this platter and how long it has been in my family but I think I am close to the truth.
Here is a link to the Meakin Pottery site where I emailed Steve. It has many photos and history of the business. Very interesting to learn about this. Steve also included the pictures I sent on his site now as he didn’t have that mark (you have to scroll down to find it).
My Tree in the Forest 