Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Lemon, John |
Born |
Aug. 19, 1844/45 |
Birthplace |
Port Hope, Upper Canada |
Places of residence |
Sydenham Township, Grey County Stephen Street, Owen Sound, Grey County 1154 1st Ave. West, Owen Sound |
Father |
James Lemon (b. Ireland) |
Mother |
Mary Kirvan (b. Port Hope) |
Nationality |
Canadian |
Notes |
John Lemon had a second pottery in Owen Sound circa 1894, which was listed in a source as being established in 1880. "Lemon's Georgian Bay Pottery" was located on the west side of Owen Sound harbour and was said to be in operation until 1896. In 2011, Joan Hyslop was shown two miniature items, a butter crock and a pottery jar, each simply impress-marked in blue with "J. LEMON", on a yellowish glaze. These were found by a pottery collector. In the 1871 census John Lemon was still situated in Sydenham Township [a township adjacent to Owen Sound]. However, there is a note here that in 1883 he requested Owen Sound town council for a tax exemption for his having to move due to a train station [Grand Trunk station, later the C.N.R.] taking over his pottery site on the east side of what is now known as 1st Ave. West. He moved across the street? The John Lemon pottery, known "Lemon's Georgian Bay Pottery" was located on the west side of Owen Sound harbour. Someone put "Circa 1912" on a display label on the John Lemon Jug that is now in the Grey Roots Collection in the late 1960s, but this date might be erroneous? John Lemon was born on August 19, 1845 at Port Hope in Canada (the 1901 census says August 19, 1844). He was of Irish background and his parents were James Lemon (formerly of Ireland) and Mary Kirvan (born at Port Hope). John Lemon was residing at 1154 1st Ave. West at Owen Sound, Ontario when he passed away on March 24, 1927. His occupation was listed as "Manufacturer earthenware". His brother Elias Lemon reported the death. Mr. Lemon was buried at Greenwood Cemetery. The 1901 Census of Owen Sound differs from the death record in that it gives his birth date as Aug.19, 1844. He was then 56 years of age, Presbyterian, occupation "Potter". His family lived at Stephen St. His wife was Margaret, age 50 (b. Jan. 31, 1851), and they had a daughter, Catherine Lemon (b. June 13, 1878) and two lodgers with them, one a book-keeper, and the other an 18-year-old girl. Also, the book HISTORY OF SYDENHAM TOWNSHIP (1967) mentions that John and James Lemon earlier on had established a pottery at Lot 3, Concession 1, North of the Centre Road, Sydenham Township, Grey County (at the hamlet of Woodford, Ontario). Woodford used to be a stage stop and had a couple hotels, a store, etc. This book mentions that John and James Lemon established their pottery in 1867, producing milk pans, pitchers, flowerpots and bricks. Joan Hyslop (b. 1964) grew up next door to their former property and can attest to the red clay soil to be found there. The book mentions that John Lemon later purchased Lot 37, and also some lots in Owen Sound for a second pottery. It suggests that his Owen Sound pottery was in operation until 1896, but the above information from his death record suggests that he was still making wares well into the 20th-century? According to The Potter's Reach, by Moe Johnson, "In order to remain competitive and to maintain relevance in the markeplace, John Lemon of Owen Sound.... produced "faux stoneware," a modern term describing tin-glazed earthenware and, in this case, modestly decorated with cobalt oxiode." (Vol 1, p.34). |
Occupation |
Pottery / Potter Lemon's Georgian Bay Pottery |
Publications |
HISTORY OF SYDENHAM TOWNSHIP, 1967 THE LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE (MERCANTILE AGENCY) OF CANADA, Jan. 1894 (Owen Sound section) |
Relationships |
Brother: Elias Lemon of Owen Sound. |
Role |
Business person |
Spouse |
Margaret (b. Jan. 31, 1851) |
Children |
Catherine Lemon (b. June 31, 1851) |
