Elijah Mayer b1852 in Burslem worked as a potter. He married Emily Cope in 1879
In 1880 Elijah emigrated to Trenton, New Jersey, to work in the pottery industry
The family joined him later. They lived in Trenton until 1894
Elijah Mayer
Elijah William Thomas Mayer was born on 6 November 1882, therefore he was an American Citizen. He was always known as Tom
Elijah died from pneumonia in December 1893 and was buried in Trenton
Tom was 11 years old when his father died
Emily brought the family back to England in February 1894 and they lived in Furlong Road, Burslem
E W T Mayer and Elijah in America
In 1901 Tom was a potters' kiln fireman's assistant
In 1908 he founded the Furlong Colour Works in Scott Lidgett Road, Longport
In 1911 he is listed as a commercial traveller in potters' requirements
The factory made and supplied colour and glazes to pottery industry and oxides for vitreous enamelling
An early speciality was mazarine blue for underglaze use for china and earthenware, and the firm was one of the pioneers in its application
The company continued to develop and expand the range of colours in production
Tom married Elizabeth Holland in 1914. They had 4 children. Eric, Donald, Colin and Nancy
In 1931 he was naturalised as British (in UK)
1935 the Furlong Colour Works was incorporated as limited company E.W.T. Mayer Ltd
In 1940 they moved to larger premises, where it was possible to extend still further, and commence bulk production of glazes and oxides
After living in St Georges Avenue Wolstanton for many years, by the late 1930s, Tom had moved to Fieldway on the Dairyfields
Tom, Eric, Don and Colin were all ARP wardens during WWII
During 1940s the Mayer family extended hospitality to Free French soldiers who were camped in Trentham Park. Tom, Colin and Eric pictured on the far right of each row outside their house
In 1948 Tom revisited Trenton New Jersey whilst on an extended trade trip to the USA
In 1959 an extension to the works was built
EWT Mayer at opening of new factory
All the sons were directors: Eric (sales), Donald (technical), Colin (manufacturing)
From left to right EWT Mayer, Colin, Eric. Donald sitting in front
In 1961 Tom Mayer died aged 76 years
In 1964 the business continued and its lorries delivered to local potteries throughout the city
In 1965 the company was acquired by Goodlass, Wall and Lead Industries
In 1967 it became Harrison Mayer
Goodlass, Wall and Lead Industries became Lead Industries Group
In 1982 Lead Industries became Cookson Group
In 1994 Cooksons joined with Johnson Matthey to form Cookson Matthey Ceramics
2002 Johnson Matthey closed its factory at Meir
