Gartcraig brick found in Australia
— 05/12/2023Found by Joe Fletcher at “Turonville” in Tarana, NSW Australia. The property is a farm dating back to the 1850s. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
The bricks were excavated at an archaeology survey at old gas works, Castle Ward, Co Down, Northern Ireland – carried out by the Ulster Archaeological Society.
Allan & Mann, Port Eglinton, Glasgow C.1837 to 1887
Alternative brickworks include:
Archaeology notes at 4.5 on Ulster Archaeology Society Survey Report: No. 24 – The firebricks lining the ashpits displayed clearly readable maker’s marks in the frogs: ALLAN & MANN / PATENT / GLASGOW. A loose brick bears this legend on one side and the other frog is blank. Some bricks in situ present lettered and others blank frogs. Allan and Mann made common brick from 1837 to 1887 (Douglas: 15) and Hugh Allan’s diary (1867-70) reveals that their Rutherglen Pottery was largely occupied in fireclay production by 1867 (Hume: 3). Clay was transported from Rochsolloch and Govan pits for the purpose. The firm’s city office was at 48 Enoch Square, Glasgow, and sales outlets were established at Port Eglinton and Greenock.
Found by Joe Fletcher at “Turonville” in Tarana, NSW Australia. The property is a farm dating back to the 1850s. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
The following Scottish bricks were found by Tracie Perrie on the shore at Borden, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Below – ‘Glenboig’. Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Glenboig Star Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Glenboig Fireclay Works, (Old Works) Glenboig, Lanarkshire Below – ‘Gartcraig Scotland Gaskil’. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow….
Found by Dr Ali Asghar Hemmati in an old building previously belonging to the Iranian oil company located in Haftgel City in the province of Khuzestan, Iran. James Dougall & Sons Ltd, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire Alternative brickworks include: Bonnyside Brickworks, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. . .
Found by Jeffrey Valli on the railroad tracks in Truro, Massachusetts, USA. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Many thanks to Gustavo Coronel for the following information. This ‘Crater’ brick was found in lime kiln furnace No 5, Malagueño, Córdoba, Argentina. Gustavo states that bricks stamped ‘Etna’ were also found lining the furnace but no photograph is available as yet. Manufactured by the Etna or Atlas Brickworks, Armadale, West Lothian. . . ….
Found by Fakhru Redha on the Riau Islands, Indonesia. Castlecary Fireclay & Lime Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire or the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company which took over the Castlecary company and works in 1936 (Via General Refractories, Sheffield) and continued the ‘GEM’ and ‘Castlecary’ brand names. . . .
Found by Reuben Bartolo in a fireplace in Mosta, Malta. Reuben states – The building itself is from the 1500s, I would guess the fireplace is around 1950s. The bricks were between the limestone blocks, behind the fireplace itself. James Dougall & Sons Ltd, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire Alternative brickworks include: Bonnyside Brickworks, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. .
Found by Theresa Wentzell on Oxner’s beach Riverport, Nova Scotia, Canada. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Many thanks to Chris Lowe for the following information. Chris states the bricks were found in an old fireplace on his family’s property in Oregon, USA. There may be a thumbprint to the top right. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings…
Found by James Floyd on the beach at Coffin’s Harbour, New Island, Falkland Islands. Caledonia Fireclay Works, Paisley, Renfrewshire. . . . .