The Red Earthenware of New York City Uncovered Through Archaeology: Report No. 1

The idea behind red earthenware production in New York City in the seventeenth and eighteenth-centuries is an idea that has always fascinated me. I recently traveled to the New York State Museum in Albany, New York to review a handful of examples of red earthenware and stoneware found in seventeenth and eighteenth-century contexts in Manhattan, New York. The New York State Museum is where much of the archaeology is kept from New York City today.

The only red earthenware potters who I am familiar with by name before 1800 in the New York City-area, are the brothers, Jan and Ewout Euwatse; however I do not know anything about their work. Like most eighteenth-century American utilitarian red earthenware potters, I assume they may have worked in slip decoration, but I have no proof of it.

To my knowledge, stoneware was a major product in the city well-before 1750, when Johan Crolius and John Remmey produced stoneware forms like  jugs, chamber pots and crocks, which was a craft they had likely learned in the Rhineland region of their native country, Germany. The Crolius and Remmey names would become synonymous with stoneware made in many parts of America, such as Philadelphia and Baltimore. But it is possible that due to the successful manufacture of stoneware by these families that the production of red earthenware was not achieved on a scale like it was in areas that did not sustain a stoneware industry (or saw very little of one). The need for red earthenware may not have been as necessary in New York City as much as it was in places like Boston (where nearly no stoneware was made before 1790).

According to the Archaeology Institute of America, "...During British occupation of the city (American Revolution), Johan Crolius' sons, John and William II left New York. Crolius' property (near City Hall Park today) was either confiscated or destroyed by the British. However, the kiln of Remmey's son, John II, remained in operation throughout occupation."

I believe this is the complete opposite of what happened in Charlestown, Massachusetts in the events that led up to the American Revolution when British forces had completely occupied Boston, circa 1773-1775. I do not believe there was much red earthenware production in Charlestown in the 1770s; whereas, the Intolerable Acts had also devastated the local economy, which these potters would have normally depended upon - so it is fascinating to read about a different view that took place in New York City with its stoneware production during the American Revolution.

Nevertheless, I would like to share this wonderful slip decorated large red earthenware bowl that was recovered by archaeologist in Manhattan that I feel could be American-made. The artifact was found at the 175 Water Street Site from Lower Manhattan. The site was made up of landfill in a mid-eighteenth-century to mid-nineteenth-century context.

According to the archaeology report, "...Ninety-foot eighteenth-century ship's bow was used to retain part of the fill in position and the majority of the 300,000 recovered artifacts were taken from discarded British household products that were either broken in transit or at the dock." However, I am curious to know if this could be an example of eighteenth century red earthenware made in New York City.

Artifact Recovered in Manhattan, New York

Likely a Large Late 18th Century Slip Decorated Bowl Found in New York City
The Bowl Was Uncovered at the 175 Water Street Archaeological Site in Lower Manhattan
See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: New York State Museum - Albany, NY

Exterior and the Base of the Bowl

Photo Courtesy: New York State Museum - Albany, NY

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