CHARLES WASON McNAY
Charles Wason McNay married Jane Cox on the 7th November
1871 at Battlefield Cottage (right), Falkirk, Jane’s home. Charles is
described as a Merchant on their marriage certificate. Jane was a
Grocer (1871 census).
At the time of his marriage, Charles lived in Falkirk and was in the
China & Glass business with his brother, William, their premises
being in High Street, Falkirk.
Charles and Jane’s first child, William George McNay, was born on
19th August 1875. They were living in Rockville Cottage (right),
Panbrae Road, Bo’ness. Charles was now a Commercial Traveller
for the Bo’ness Pottery.
By the time Josiah Cox McNay was born on 14th February 1880,
they had moved to a bigger house a few hundred yards along the
road, Elmbank Villa (below).
Charles David McNay was born on 21st March 1885, also at
Elmbank Villa.
On both boys’ birth certificates, Charles was now an Earthenware
Manufacturer (at the Bo’ness Pottery).
Charles left the Bo’ness Pottery in 1887 to build his own pottery at
In 1895 there was another change of house, when they family
moved to Carndene (below), Grange Loan, Bo’ness.
Charles’ wife, Jane, died in July 1902 and three years later, Charles
retired from working in the pottery due to ill health.
Charles died from a heart attack at Carndene on 15th September
1913, age 69.
Charles Wason McNay, his wife and their sons
Back row, left to right: Josiah Cox McNay, William George McNay
Front row, left to right: Charles Wason McNay, Charles David McNay, Jane (Cox) McNay
Josiah (left), William (back) and Charles (front) with their mother Jane
The two photos above were supplied by Charles David McNay's daughter, Jeanmaree Munro.
The photo below came through a third party from an unknown source. The names were supplied by the unknown owner and the McNay
names appear to be wrong. Identified by the family photos above, farthest left in the back row is Josiah Cox McNay and farthest right in
the front row is William George McNay. So, who is furthest left in the front row? Is the person in the middle of the front row John
McNay? All comments welcomed!
Names supplied by unknown owner
Back row, left to right: Charles David McNay, Alexander Bell, J McDonald, Alex Bell jnr
Front row, left to right: William George McNay, John McNay, Josiah Cox McNay
Obituary from Bo’ness Journal, Friday September 19th, 1913
On Monday morning the death occurred very suddenly at his residence Carndene of Mr Charles Wason McNay, founder of the
Bridgeness Pottery, in his sixty-ninth year.
Over 30 years ago Mr McNay came to Bo’ness from Falkirk as traveller for the old-established pottery firm of John Marshall & Co., of
which his elder brother William was then managing partner. After a few years Mr McNay joined the firm, and on the death of his brother
became managing partner.
In 1887 he left the old firm and proceeded to erect the new pottery at Bridgeness, which from its being opened in 1888, the jubilee year
of Queen Victoria, was locally known as the “Jubilee Pottery”.
The new pottery being erected and equipped on modern and good business lines proved very successful, and twelve years ago he
assumed his sons as partners, and the firm name was changed to C. W. McNay & Sons.
Four or five years ago Mr McNay’s health gave way, and he practically retired from business, latterly taking no active part in the
management. He suffered from a heart affection, and the end came suddenly on Monday morning.
Mr McNay as a keen business man took an active interest in public affairs, and for a few years was a member of the Police Commission
of Bo’ness, but his own business taking up his attention and at the same time taking him so much from home, he was not able to give
the necessary attention to public matters, and retired from participation therein.
The deceased was a devoted member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was appointed a trustee of Craigmailen Church when the
new building was erected.
He was a Justice of the Peace for the county, and a regular attender at the Sessions or meetings of the Justices when called upon.
Mrs McNay predeceased her husband some years ago, and the family of three sons are all engaged in the business.
The funeral, which was private, was to Falkirk, on Wednesday.
The Late C. W. McNay, J.P.
Obituary from Linlithgowshire Gazette, Friday September 19th, 1913
The death occurred very suddenly at his residence, Carndene, Bo’ness, early on Monday morning of Mr Charles Wason McNay, J.P.,
founder of the firm of Messrs C. W. McNay and Sons, earthenware manufacturers, Bridgeness Pottery, in his 69th year.
Recently when out driving in the Queensferry direction Mr McNay was pitched from his trap but beyond a shaking and an injury to his
foot, it was not thought that he was seriously affected. On Sunday evening, however, he complained of pains in the region of the heart.
Dr Fischer was at once summoned, but the patient never rallied, passing quietly away at 2.30 the following morning.
Mr McNay, who was a native of Glasgow, came to Bo’ness when a boy, and was educated at Mr Dickson’s school in Grangepans.
Early in life, he set up business in Falkirk as a wholesale glass and china merchant, and about this time he married Miss Jane Cox, a
Falkirk lady, who died some ten years ago.
On the invitation of his elder brother, William, who then acted as traveller to the well-known firm of Messrs John Marshall and Co. of the
old Bo’ness Pottery, Mr McNay returned to Bo’ness. Latterly both brothers became partners in the old pottery, which, after passing
through many vicissitudes, was closed and the works sold fifteen years ago.
In 1887 Mr McNay severed his connection with the firm, and created a large and well-equipped pottery in the east end of the burgh,
where he soon built up an extensive business in the home markets.
By reason of his wide connection, chiefly in Scotland and Ireland, and from being so long on the road, Mr McNay was one of the best-
known personalities in the earthenware trade, and in business circles, as in private life, he was held in high esteem and respect.
Twelve years ago he assumed his two eldest sons, William and Josiah, as partners, and four years later he had a very serious illness,
which led him to retire from the business. His leisure was spent for the most part within his beautiful grounds and garden, with
occasional drives.
At one time he took an active part in public affairs, and, like his brother and former colleague, Mr John Marshall, he was a member of the
Town Trustees or Commissioners for the town, as they were then called. Owing, however, to his frequent absence from home on
business, Mr McNay relinquished office.
A keen Churchman, he was one of the trustees of Craigmailen United Free Church, and his death makes the fourth gap within a few
months in the ranks of the old United Presbyterian body in the town. Mr McNay was a Justice of the Peace for the county of Linlithgow.
A hardworking, unobtrusive, warm-hearted gentleman, he will be missed by a wide circle of friends. He leaves three sons, all of whom
are connected with the business.
The funeral, which was private, took place to the family burial ground in Falkirk Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.
THE LATE MR C. W. McNAY, J.P.
Obituary from the Pottery Gazette, October 1st 1913
We regret to record that Mr. Charles W. McNay, J.P., senior partner of the firm of C. W. McNay & Sons, earthenware manufacturers,
Bridgeness Pottery, Bo’ness, died very suddenly at his residence, Carndene, Bo’ness on Sept. 15. Mr. McNay and his elder brother,
who died some years ago, were originally connected with the once well-known firm (now extinct) of John Marshall & Co. of the old
Bo’ness Pottery. In 1887 Mr McNay severed his connection with the firm and erected a large and well-equipped pottery in the east-end
of the burgh, where he soon built up an extensive business in the home markets. By reason of his wide connection and from being so
long on the road, Mr. McNay was one of the best-known personalities in the general earthenware trade in the Scotch and Irish markets;
and in business circles, as in private life, he was held in high esteem and respect. Twelve years ago he assumed as partners his two
eldest sons, and four years later he practically retired from the business. At one time Mr. McNay took an active part in public affairs, but
business taking him so much from home he relinquished his various offices. He was one of the trustees of Craigmailen United Free
Church and a Justice of the Peace for the county of Linlithgow. Mr. McNay, who was 68 years of age, leaves three sons all of whom are
connected with the business.
MR. C. W. McNAY, Aged 68