William Pecker Stoneware - Merrimacport, Ma: 1790-1800

A 2004 article published in Ceramics in America introduced me to a stoneware jar made by William Pecker. It was discovered at a southern flea market. I have since speculated, theorized and studied the idea behind Pecker's stoneware. I personally know of six pieces in existence. Three jars and three jugs. None are flashy or over the top with splashes of color - like Pecker's redware was; however, the idea behind it is certainly fascinating. There have been a few pieces seen locally that I have speculated may have been made by Pecker. The texture and glaze felt exactly like Pecker's redware - a feel not  typically seen on stoneware. Those also appeared to have been manufactured more around 1820, but without a maker's mark for actual proof. The six known jars and jugs all bear a stamp that reads, Wm PECKER.

I left this subject out of the article I recently wrote for the New England Antiques Journal because it is all theory. There is no real proof to identify how many stoneware forms Pecker actually made - or why he made them, but please hear me out.

Pecker probably had two separate kilns. A kiln was likely built to sustain proper conditions for redware and likewise for stoneware. It is my belief both of these kilns were located in Merrimacport, Massachusetts where he operated. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise. If Pecker had a kiln, there were certainly more than six pieces made. In fact, if he had a proper kiln there were probably hundreds if not thousands of pieces made. My idea is that the cost to import proper clay for manufacturing stoneware proved too costly. The clay beds in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine were not appropriate for manufacturing stoneware. All the stamped Pecker stoneware forms I know of appear eighteenth century. They appear similar to the jugs Jonathan Fenton was manufacturing in Charlestown, Massachusetts; New Hampshire; and Dorset, Vermont. The jugs also appear similar to those made by Frederick Carpenter in Charlestown. The form is also seen in eighteenth century Connecticut and New York City. I do not believe Pecker worked with any other potter. He appears to have been a very-smart man considering the achievements he made with redware. I do not believe he traveled anywhere to make his stoneware. It has been suggested to me that he may have traveled to New York City or Charlestown to learn of stoneware - and that is where these stamped forms developed from. I do not believe that is the case. I believe he made the known stoneware in Merrimacport. Most the known forms have recently appeared from homes North of Boston - not all, but most.

In 2012, a Pecker stoneware jug was found in a Wenham, Massachusetts home on a house clean out. It appeared in decoration like the dual tone stoneware jugs and jars Carpenter was known for. There was also a splash of blue decoration like Fenton was known for. The form appeared like a Fenton jug. The man who found it told me he had seen Pecker stoneware jugs before, but not usually ones that are  signed. That comment has always stayed with me. I did not continue the conversation much-more, but I wish I had asked him what he meant by that. Did he know something that I am missing today? Could Pecker have made more stoneware than I realize, but rather, only a few pieces were impressed with his mark?

A western Massachusetts collector recently got in contact with me after my article was published. He told me he had a special stoneware piece that I should see. I took a ride out west this week. I saw his wonderful collection. He was kind enough to contribute this piece to my collection of William Pecker redware. Take a look:

 William Pecker Stoneware Jug - Merrimacport, Ma

Circa 1791-1799

 Classic 18th Century Handle Form

William Pecker's Stoneware Mark

The form appears like the traditional late eighteenth century stoneware jugs made in the northeast. There is so little evidence to support why Pecker made stoneware that it all really becomes opinion and theory. My theory is when Pecker began his business  in 1791 - he was manufacturing both redware and stoneware. He had to have had two kilns considering redware and stoneware are fired under separate elements. I believe by 1800, the cost to import, manufacture and sell stoneware was too costly. His redware business flourished until 1820 while his stoneware business was limited at the best. 

Since 2004, six marked pieces have emerged. There are probably more out there. Stoneware collections across the country may contain more examples of Pecker's work that the redware world is not aware of. Pecker is relatively unknown in the stoneware field, but a master at his craft in the redware world. It's anyone's guess as to why these forms were really made, but I feel my theory is a strong case as to what really happened.

Much More to Come...