The North Staffordshire pottery works at Dale Hall was founded in 1790 by Joseph Stubbs (died in 1836) who was replaced by Messrs. Thomas, John & Joshua Mayer. The firm in consecutive years operated as Mayer Brothers & Elliot; Mayer & Elliot, Liddle, Elliot, & Co.; Bates, Elliot & Co.; Bates, Walker & Co.; Bates, Gildea & Walker and finally as Gildea & Walker (1881 - 1886).
