Henry Copestick was born c.1812 in Birmingham. He moved to Longton some time between 1841 and 1851. His profession recorded on the 1851 census was a 'Hawker of Birmingham and Sheffield Goods', but by 1861 he was trading as a Publican. Although the pub he ran was not recorded on the 1861 census, it is likely that it was the Wheat Sheaf Inn.
Also recorded on the 1861 census living just a few doors away at 72 Normacot Road, was a Rueben Croburn who was trading as a Soda Water and Lemonade Maker. By the time of the 1871 census Rueben was no longer living on Normacot Road, and Henry Copestick was now trading as a Soda Water & Ginger Beer Manufacturer from the address 69 Normacot Road, so there is a possibility that Henry bought the business and/or equipment from Rueben Croburn. Also listed on the 1871 census living with the Copestick family were Edwin White, Ginger Beer Bottler, and Mary Pugh, Ginger Beer Wirer.
Copestick was also associated with Samuel Taylor, who lived at 67 Normacot Road. It is not certain whether the two went into business together, or whether Copestick passed his business to Taylor in 1875, but the two are linked by the following trademark of a quartered diamond with HC ST 18 75 divided into the quarters:
If the trademark did represent a business partnership then it was certainly short lived, as Henry Copestick passed away in January 1876. The trade mark was certainly used by Samuel Taylor, and went on to be used by Alfred H Greatbatch, the Potteries Amalgamated Mineral Water Co, and finally the Premier Mineral Water Co.
