The Southwick Family of Potters Working in 18th and 19th Century South Danvers, Massachusetts

Osborn Family - Report 1
Goldthwaites Family - Report 2

The Southwick family is another prominent name associated with the early South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts redware industry. The potters are most commonly associated with a jet black glaze that occasionally sees a metallic streaking within it. A common practice seen with many of the Southwick forms are a bottom glaze on the base. This not a common trait among early utilitarian wares made by American potters, but it was seen with some products made in both South Danvers and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I have never associated any other glaze color greater than black with the Southwick tradition, but according to Harvard Professor Lura Woodside Watkins - a handful of additional colors were seen and the color black was not used more than any other early eighteenth century potter applied the color to their wares.

"As there has always been a curious tradition that the Southwicks were noted principally for a black glaze, I once made a visit to 161 Lowell Street, seeking to verify the story of the discovery of fragments. This expedition met with success. Far back on the land, near the brooks, I unearthed a quantity of shards from this pottery. I was not surprised to find glazes of all the usual colors, including a tan with brown smudges. The black was in the same proportion that would be expected in any redware dump." (Lura Woodside Watkins, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, page 65.)

The Southwick family early eighteenth century forms may have been much-more commonly seen in black, but without proper evidence - we must only go by what Watkins saw on the later eighteenth and nineteenth century site.

A sherd was found near the Osborn family sites in South Danvers that demonstrates all the expected characteristics of the Southwick family's wares, however, this sherd appeared very early through feel and glaze, indicating it may be an example of the family's earliest work.

 Early 18th Century Redware Sherd

Seen Near the Osborn Family Sites in South Danvers, Ma

 Likely Southwick Pottery Redware Herb Pot - Peabody, Ma

Late 18th Century

 Likey Southwick Pottery Redware Jug - Peabody, Ma

Late 18th to Early 19th Century

Joseph and William Southwick were both potters under the family name located on Lowell Street in South Danvers. I recently visited both of their sites to see if any remains of either eighteenth century workshop were noticeable.

Joseph worked at 151 Lowell Street. His shop operated until near or just after the third quarter of the eighteenth century. The home is currently on the National Historic Register. Pottery remains on the property are likely, but the amount is not known. I did not see any obvious sherds.

John Southwick House Where Joseph Southwick Operated His Redware Business

151 Lowell Stree - Peabody, Ma

 Likely the Original Molding and a Period Door are Seen

 The House Was Built Circa 1660

The House is Seen Listed on the National Historic Register

The most prominent of potters under the Southwick name was William. He operated his business and possibly a kiln at 161 Lowell Street. A newer home is now seen on this site and there are no obvious remains of William's operation. His site is about one city block from 151 Lowell Street. It is not likely that  both sites were operating simultaneously, but there is some overlap - so the idea of multiple kiln operating under the Southwick family business is possible.

William Southwick's Operation Used to Be Seen on this Property

A Later House is Now Present

161 Lowell Street - Peabody, Ma

At least 13 Southwick family members are known to have joined the potters craft working in South Danvers. Three eventually left to work in an area known as "Pottersville" or the Chesham region of New Hampshire. There are also ties to Lyndeboro, New Hampshire and likely the Clark family tradition that happened in that town of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. 

The forms manufactured by family members in South Danvers and New Hampshire are extremely similar in form, but with an obvious simple glaze characteristic. Do you know what it is? I am not going to share. It was told to me by an established Massachusetts potter and I would rather not be the one who releases this information. 

The Southwicks worked of the the same period as the early and later Osborn family members in South Danvers. There was roughly a one mile distance that separated the two neighborhoods. I believe an obvious influence within the Southwick wares is seen from the Osborn family. The business output of both was similar and jugs have a nearly exact form with a variation within the interior glaze. 

There is much to be learned of the Southwick's operation. Many of the colored glazes that Watkins describes are not known. I have never personally seen anything outside of the black glazes the family is known for. Have you ever seen any? Beyond this - I would like to hear more information of the family's business and about their wares. Do you have anything to add?

There is much more to come of the potters industry of South Danvers, Salem and all related areas.

Stay tuned...