Events that Led to the American Revolution and Colonial Potters

The early American utilitarian potter wore many hats through the years that defined Colonial America. Their roles were much more than merely a community potter. With today marking the 238th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, I thought it was an appropriate time to very briefly discuss the events that led up to this battle and even more so, the overall views of the events that created America's independence. Of these events, the potter and more specifically, potters with names were essential in America's birth as an independent nation.

Colonial Red Coat and Tri Cornered Hat (Right)

Colonial Powder Horn (Left)

Colonial Soldier's Belt (Left)
Colonial Soldier's Vest and Gloves (left)

Private Collection

The tension between the colonies and English troops in April of 1775 were immense. It was a culmination of many years worth of turmoil between the two sides that developed into what we refer to today as the Battle of Lexington & Concord and further, the Battle at Bunker Hill. These are the major circumstances that resulted in America's eventual freedom:

• French and Indian War (1754-1763)
• Royal Proclamation (1763)
• Sugar Act (1764)
• Stamp Act (1765)
• Townsend Acts (1767)
• Boston Massacre (1770)
• Tea Act (1773)
• Boston Tea Party (1773)
• Intolerable Acts (1774)
• First Continental Congress (1774)
• Battle of Lexington and Concord (1775)
• 2nd Continental Congress (1775)
• Battle at Bunker Hill (1775)

The Intolerable Acts were a group of laws that were enacted as a means of punishment for the people of Boston and their role in the Boston Tea Party. England and King George III decided to set an example with the city of Boston despite it not being the only colonial city to participate in a tea protest. These acts took all ownership and governing rule away from the people of the Massachuetts colony and as a result, greatly upset the remaining American colonies. These acts were the result of the Tea Party:

• Boston Port Act
• Administration of Justice Act
• Quartering Act
• Quebec Act 

I will not discuss the Boston Port Act in much detail because it will be a part of my future book, but I will briefly define the act as having a devastating impact on the New England redware community with both import and export wares. The impact was even greater for society with unemployment and famine. The act lasted from 1774 until 1776.

Historians and researchers over time have analyzed the events that led up the American Revolution in detail, but it is my belief that this story has never been told from a utilitarian potters point-of-view. Unlike today, the colonial potter and their wares were an essential part of nearly every early American community. Many of these early potters had additional roles outside of their days job. There are stories of potters actively involved and in some cases, playing decisive roles in the events that led up to America's independence. Stories from the French and Indian War, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Port Act, the Battle of Lexington & Concord and the Battle at Bunker Hill can all be told. These are the stories with a definition of the early Boston area industry that I hope to tell with my writing. Interestingly, women who are defined by name were very important of this time and especially in the town of Charlestown. These women will be a large part of my writing.

Aside from all the aforementioned, these wars, too affected the early American pottery industry:

• Pequot War (1637)
• King Phillip's War (1675-1676)
• King William's War (1689-1697)
• Queen Ann's War (1702-173)
• War of Jekin's Ear (1739-1748)
• King George's War (1744-1748)

More to come...