The 19th Century Kendrick and Dodge Potteries of York County, Maine

I made a comparison a few months ago with a friend, Dr. Brian Mills, where we discussed two nineteenth-century red earthenware lidded jars that are often attributed today to the nineteenth-century potter, Thomas Truxton Kendrick (1803-1878) in Hollis, Maine. It's easy to argue today that Kendrick is the most sought after utilitarian Maine red earthenware potter among Maine collectors, as well as museums; although, one of the jars that we examined is decorated with a marbled-like cream and manganese glaze - while, the other jar was decorated with a clear lead glaze with a common household ingredient stenciled in slip prominently on the front. The Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine also attributes these type of jars to Kendrick's output. 

After careful examination, we found that both jars are virtually the exact same size and form - we also determined that the same style of stamp was used on the base of these jars. Undoubtedly, they were made by the same potter or at the same potter's business. The reason for this comparison is because these kind of marbled glazed jars (see below) are typically attributed to Kendrick today - while, the stenciled jars (see below) are sometimes attributed to Kendrick, but they are also occasionally attributed to the Benjamin Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine. I should also note that these style of marbled glazes were also produced in Ontario in the nineteenth century.

Roger Pheulpin, who is a well-known scholar and serious long-time red earthenware collector in Gloucester, Massachusetts actually owns early paperwork, which documents strong proof that attributes the stenciled jars to the Dodge Pottery in Portland before 1840.

The Style of Jars that Are Discussed

19th Century Maine-Made Red Earthenware Jar 

This Glaze and Form is Commonly Attributed to the Potter, Thomas Truxton Kendrick in Hollis, Me

Ca. 1820-1860

Stands Approximately 5 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

19th Century Maine-Made Lidded Red Earthenware Jar

This Form and Decoration is Often Attributed to the Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, ME

The Form and Decoration is Also Sometimes Attributed to the Dodge Pottery in Portland, ME

The Museum Attributes it to Thomas Truxton Kendrick in Hollis, ME

Stands Approximately 5 1/2" Tall

Ca. 1820-1860

The Word, 'ALLSPICE' is Stenciled Across the Front in Slip

Photo Courtesy: The Maine State Museum - Augusta, ME

19th Century Maine-Made Lidded Red Earthenware Jar

This Form and Decoration is Often Attributed to the Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, ME

The Form and Decoration is Also Sometimes Attributed to the Dodge Pottery in Portland, ME

The Museum Attributes it to Thomas Truxton Kendrick in Hollis, ME

Stands Approximately 5 1/2" Tall

Ca. 1820-1860

The Word, 'GINGER' is Stenciled Across the Front in Slip

Photo Courtesy: The Maine State Museum - Augusta, ME

Yesterday, another friend, Dr. Mark Chaplin, who is a collector and scholar visited my house in Newburyport, Massachusetts - and, he brought along with him a stamped jar that was made at the Benjamin Dodge Pottery in Portland. The ownership of this business is interesting; it descended from Benjamin Dodge (1774-1838) to his son, Benjamin Dodge, Jr. (1802-1876) around the time of the senior's death. According to reports - the elder of the Dodges suffered from depression and possibly other mental illnesses. He reportedly killed himself in 1838. There are some, who say his state of mind may have been the result of working with lead glazes for many years. I have also read that Dodge had at least one failed suicide attempt.

I believe this jar dates between the 1820 and 1840 period, but it is possible that either Dodge could be responsible for it. The jar's base is stamped, 'B. DODGE / PORTLAND'.

Our goal with this jar was to make a comparison to it with a lidded stenciled jar that I own that is sometimes perceived to be a form made at the Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, while on other occasions, it is referenced as a product that was made at the Dodge Pottery in Portland (related to the stenciled jars shown above).

B. Dodge Jar from Portland, ME

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made by Benjamin Dodge (Jr.?) in Portland, ME
Ca. 1820-1840
Stands 7" Tall
Stamped on the Base 'B. DODGE / PORTLAND'
Photo Courtesy: Dr. Mark Chaplin - Massachusetts & Maine

View of the Shoulder, Neck and Rim

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Mark Chaplin - Massachusetts & Maine

View of the Interior 

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Mark Chaplin - Massachusetts & Maine

A Closer Look at the Interior

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Mark Chaplin - Massachusetts & Maine

View of the Stamp

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Mark Chaplin - Massachusetts & Maine

A Close Look at the Stamp

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Mark Chaplin - Massachusetts & Maine

The lidded jar that we compared the 'B. DODGE' jar to was recently discovered in a shop in Manchester, New Hampshire. Stenciled in slip on the front of this jar is the word, 'STARCH'. It is very similar to the marbled jar and the stenciled jars initially discussed above that are usually attributed to the Kendrick Pottery today.

This is what we found: the bases on both of these jars are a near exact match - the lead glazes also completely cover each jar entirely all the way to the base. The shoulders are also similar; while we also discovered that both jars slightly taper out from the base to the shoulder. The overall form of both jars is also comparable. The jars are also both stamped; one jar is stamped with the B. Dodge Company mark, where the other is stamped with a number. Although, it appears that the style of stamps may also be related, where the stamps may have been obtained from a local printer.

What stood out most to us was probably the fact that the base on each jar is nearly identical - and, the way that these bases were made is not a common characteristic that transcends from one potter's business to the next in New England in the 1800's. It's also quite interesting to see the slightly tapered sides. 

Both of these jars are also refined products made by a skilled potter. You can build your own conclusion; however, the picture that shows the similar bases below is very revealing, where we strongly believe that this style of stenciled and marbled jar (see above) was made at the Dodge Pottery rather than the Kendrick Pottery.

Note: The Kendrick attribution has been a longtime attribution that has been published and is even used by the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine.

A Comparison

19th Century Maine-Made Lidded Red Earthenware Jar

Stands 5 1/2" Tall

Ca. 1820-1840

The Word, 'STARCH' is Stenciled Across the Front in Slip

View of the Shoulders and the Bases

View of the Bases

Comparison of Both Stamps

Now, I wonder how the output at the Kendrick Pottery may appear today especially after taking all of this information into account. Are all of these lidded jars in this report actually related to the Dodge Pottery in Portland? Are many of the products that are normally attributed to the Kendrick Pottery today actually products made at the Dodge Pottery in Portland? 

The only surviving example of Thomas Truxton Kendrick Pottery that I am rather certain was made in Hollis, Maine today is a clear lead glazed red earthenware cup that has descended through the Kendrick family in Maine to present day. This cup (see below) appears thickly potted with a simple crude handle.

Note: There is no archaeology known (to me) that survives from the Thomas Truxton Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, Maine today.

Thomas Kendrick Red Earthenware Cup from Hollis, ME

19th Century Red Earthenware Cup Reportedly Made by Thomas Truxton Kendrick - Hollis, ME

Descended through the Kendrick Family to the Current Family Owner

Ca. 1840-1877

Photo Courtesy: Private Maine Collection

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...