I won't get into great detail about Marshall in this report since he is largely a part of the book I am writing, but I will say Marshall had strong ties to the Charlestown, Massachusetts red earthenware industry in the 1740s. There are credible reports that indicate Charlestown-made red earthenware was exported into Portsmouth in the 1740s and 1750s. A potter's daybook that I have reviewed at Harvard University's Baker Library strongly supports this claim. It's not entirely known what the ratio of locally made Portsmouth pottery versus imported Massachusetts pottery was in Portsmouth households, but there is known to have been a concentration from both areas.
John Shilabur was another potter who worked in Portsmouth in the eighteenth-century. Very little is known about his work. He is not mentioned in Lura Woodside Watkins book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares; however the current owner of the Shilabur house has found sufficient shard evidence to suggest Shilabur was an active potter - who was successful enough to make products decorated in slip decoration in the eighteenth century. Shilabur operated a few blocks from where Marshall was located last. It is my belief, that only the most successful New England potters had the financial means to work in slip since it was likely a supply that had to be imported (which is probably a subject that is open to debate). Slip decoration was made from kaolin clay - and it is not known how many kaolin deposits had been discovered in New England before 1775. As a result, some of the kaolin used by New England potters may have been imported from England or elsewhere in the American colonies.
The reason for this report is because of a colorful chamber pot that was excavated in Portsmouth a few years ago. It was on display at the Portsmouth Discovery Center for a few months in 2012. The slip decoration does not fit into any of the decorative styles I have seen in Charlestown - so it may be related to either Marshall or Shilabur. Unfortunately, it was uncovered by a construction company rather than archaeologists (I believe), but its form conforms with traditional chamber pots made in New England in the eighteenth-century. It was found in an eighteenth-century privy at the Joshua Wentworth House, which was constructed in 1770 - but I think the chamber pot could be earlier.
Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Excavated in Portsmouth, NH
Ca. 1740-1780
Photo Courtesy: Portsmouth, NH Discovery Center
Wonderful Use of Slip Decoration
Photo Courtesy: Portsmouth, NH Discovery Center
Based on the slip decoration, I assume this is a product of Portsmouth. I have reviewed a large collection of shards found in Boston, Charlestown and Essex County, Massachusetts - and none share this type of decoration. Maine did not have many red earthenware businesses before 1800 and the same goes for most of New Hampshire. Portsmouth was an exception since the Piscataque River served as a very important colonial port. It would make sense that this pot comes from one of Portsmouth's potters. There was also a business just to the south in Exeter, New Hampshire, but I have not seen any evidence to suggest this pot could have been made there.
Both Marshall and Shilabur were known to have manufacture chamber pots - and presumably a handful of other forms that included crocks, pitchers, jars and probably jugs.
John Shilabur Chamber Pot
John Shilabur Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Chamber Pot - Portsmouth, NH
Made in the 18th Century
Made in the 18th Century
Excavated on the Shilabur Property
Photo Courtesy: Private New Hampshire Collection
Interior of Chamber Pot
Excavated on the Shilabur Property
Photo Courtesy: Private New Hampshire Collection
Samuel Marshall Chamber Pot
Samuel Marshall Red Earthenware Chamber Pot - Portsmouth, NH
Ca. 1740-1750
Excavated at the Marshall Site at Strawbery Banke
Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Dept. - Portsmouth, NH
Handle of Chamber Pot
Excavated at the Marshall Site at Strawbery Banke
Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Dept. - Portsmouth, NH
The following shard was excavated from Marshall's site at Strawbery Banke - and the manner in which the slip decoration was applied does slightly resemble the decoration seen on the chamber pot of discussion. I cannot definitively say whether that chamber pot was made by Marshall, but there is certainly a comparison that can be seen. There is not enough evidence to specifically say how Shilabur's decorative hand appeared - so I cannot rule him out as a possibility either.
Samuel Marshall Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Shard - Portsmouth, NH
Slip Decoration Resembles the Slip Seen on the Chamber Pot of Discussion
Excavated at the Marshall Site at Strawbery Banke
Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Dept. - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, New Hampshire is a city that has always fascinated me. The history is rich, the homes are beautiful, the downtown area has a lot to offer and its a wonderful place to spend time during the tourist seasons. I am equally as fascinated with the early potters of Portsmouth. Very little material from these potters is known to have survived; although the shard evidence above suggests the material made in Portsmouth at one-time was beautiful and equally as skilled/accomplished as many of the potters who worked throughout the American colonies. These potters worked side-by-side with some of the most accomplished furniture-makers and architects in New England in the eighteenth-century - so it makes sense that their products would be held to the same standard. I just wish more of their production was still around today. Without these shards, there would only be a small amount of tangible evidence from these potters left.
Much More to Come...
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