EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Brief Report that Recaps an East Brookfield, Massachusetts Potter's Business that Operated in the 1890s

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

A Brief Report that Recaps an East Brookfield, Massachusetts Potter's Business that Operated in the 1890s

According to a book published by the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries in 1891 called 'The Annual Statistics of Manufacturers in 1890,' "The firm of Linley, Wright & Company in East Brookfield, Massachusetts became a corporation to be known as the Parmenter Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of $250,000 (in 1890). The concern was charted for the manufacture and sale of pottery and brick and also to buy and sell lumber and wood."

In 1893, this company filed a petition for permission to construct a railroad track, which was likely used to transport bricks - the record of this account was published by the Massachusetts Board of Railroad Commissions in 1894 in the 'Annual 25th Volume (Report) of the Board of Railroad Commissioners,' "On petition of Parmenter Manufacturing Company, across School Street, in Brookfield (Massachusetts). On the petition of the Parmenter Manufacturing Company, it is ordered, that the board hereby consents that the Parmenter Manufacturing Company may construct a railroad track for private use across a public way in the town of Brookfield, known as School Street, at level therewith, as authorized by the selectmen of said town and the county commissioners of Worcester County: provided, that a flagman shall display a flag at said crossing upon the approach and passage or every train or engine, and that no train or engine shall cross said way at a speed of more than four miles per hour."

Sadly, the Parmenter Manufacturing Company burned in a blaze on May 25, 1897 - and, the entire business and some nearby buildings were lost. The fire was reportedly caused by the kiln - which quickly spread throughout the entire building ruining what had been built over the past seven-years.

Nevertheless, this is a company that not a lot is known from today; although, it is know that this business produced bricks and simple red earthenware from circa 1891 to 1897. However, there is not much known about the everyday production, especially the red earthenware.

Fortunately, a friend of mine (Mark Newton), who lives in southern New Hampshire has ties to a longtime antiques picker from central Massachusetts and New Hampshire, who casually dug at this business many years ago. He salvaged a group of interesting bricks that are related to the Parmenter Manufacturing Company; whereas, aside from the bricks - he also discovered three red earthenware saucers that were possibly related to the production of gardening products. But, that's not all - he also collected three objects from the East Brookfield-area that are also likely related to this business.

These objects were not dug at the site of this business; although, they were all found in the East Brookfield-area within an early context of ownership. The objects include a molded red earthenware female gnome whistle, a molded orange red earthenware bank - and, a hand-thrown cup (possibly made for a child) with the initial(s) 'B.S.B.C' and the date 'May 30, 1894.' The date also matches accordingly to when the Parmenter Manufacturing Company was still in operation. I suspect the date and the abbreviated letters must hold some significance since there are matching objects known today with the same inscription.

I have briefly researched this business finding some court records and tax information - unfortunately, the overall output of this company past the bricks is limited knowledge today. I will try to revisit this subject in the future - for now, you can take a look at these objects, which I feel are all related to the production from this company.

BRICKS

This first group of photos reveals (some of?) the bricks that were recovered - I apologize for the photo quality, but the words and the decoration on the bricks did not photograph too well. I'll try and photograph them in daylight at another time. The words, inscription and paw print are a lot more distinct in-hand.

Pair of Bricks that Read 'E. Brookfield'

Recovered at the Site of the Parmenter Manufacturing Company in East Brookfield, MA
See Article for More Information

Three Bricks with Various Inscribed Numbers and Lines

Recovered at the Site of the Parmenter Manufacturing Company in East Brookfield, MA
See Article for More Information

Brick Reads 'Parmenter / E. Brookfield'

Recovered at the Site of the Parmenter Manufacturing Company in East Brookfield, MA
See Article for More Information

Brick with an Animal's Paw Print (Top Right)

Possibly From a Cat

Recovered at the Site of the Parmenter Manufacturing Company in East Brookfield, MA

See Article for More Information

Saucers

These are the saucers (possibly for flower pots) that were recovered beside the bricks at the site of the business in East Brookfield.

19th Century Red Earthenware Saucers

Likely Made at the Parmenter Manufacturing Company - East Brookfield, MA

Circa 1891-1897

Measures 3 1/2" to 4" Wide
See Article for More Information

View of the Bottoms

See Article for More Information

Objects

These are the objects that were collected in the East Brookfield-area during the time when the bricks were excavated. All of these objects are most likely related to the circa 1891 to 1897 period that the Parmenter Manufacturing Company operated.