19th Century Red Earthenware Discovered in Early-19th Century Home in Westerly, Rhode Island

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "There is, but little evidence that the potter's trade flourished in any extent in Rhode Island. The names of only four redware makers are known...(And) none of them worked for more than ten or twelve years.

A variety of facts may explain the lack of potters in this state. It is possible that the clay was not at the best quality. A second explanation is that Rhode Island was always supplied with earthenware from other localities."

I recently attended an onsite auction in Westerly, Rhode Island, where the contents of an early home were cleaned out and sold to the highest bidder. It was an onsite sale where everything had to go. The contents were pulled from the home and sold to the winning bidder on the front lawn. The sale included two pieces of interesting red earthenware, which may have been original to the home; although, an accurate attribution is difficult for each object. But I am certain that they are American-made. Both of these objects were also discovered in the home's basement covered in dirt.

The reason that I pursued both of these objects is the fact that Watkins had suggested that Rhode Island was a state, which was likely dominated by pottery imported from potter's elsewhere in New England in places, such as southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut; whereas, these pieces do not look like they are form Massachusetts, but they could have been made in Connecticut, circa 1800-1840.

Note: The Pawcutuck River flows near this home, and this could have been a waterway that was used by early New England red earthenware potters, who wished to ship their wares to Westerly, Rhode Island and other locations in the southern part of the state.

Onsite Auction in Westerly, Rhode Island

Onsite Auction Held at Early-19th Century Home in Westerly, RI
Two Pieces of Red Earthenware Were Found in this Home's Basement
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Pawcutuck River in Westerly, Rhode Island

 Pawcutuck River in Westerly, RI
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 Pawcutuck River in Westerly, RI
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 Pawcutuck River Westerly, RI
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Red Earthenware Found in Home in Westerly, Rhode Island

Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Handled Pot
Found in the Basement of the Home in Westerly, RI
Circa 1800-1840
Stands 9 1/8" Tall
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View of the Handle
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Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Pot
Found in the Basement of the Home in Westerly, RI
Circa 1800-1840
Stands 8 1/2" Tall
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