EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Newly Acquired Stoneware Crock and Its Relationship to the States Family of Connecticut in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Thursday, August 20, 2015

A Newly Acquired Stoneware Crock and Its Relationship to the States Family of Connecticut in the 18th and 19th Centuries

The States name is an important family today in respect to Connecticut's stoneware industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. The family had ties to both Greenwich, Connecticut and Stonington, Connecticut with even a connection to the overly important eighteenth-century Greenwich, Connecticut potter, Abraham Meade. The family is said to have had its clay imported from New York and New Jersey.

According to the Stonington, Connecticut Historical Society, "In 1778, Adam States II married Esther Noyes of Stonington and settled near Hinkley Hill in what is now Pawcutuck. In the years between then and his death in 1826, he built and operated a pottery works there - most likely with the help of his uncle, Peter States, his cousin William States, and his sons, Adam III, Ichabod and Gilbert. The few surviving pieces of this period are marked "A. States" or "A. States & Co.".

In 1811, William States established a new pottery works off "Shinebone Alley", which is at the end of what is now Wall Street in Stonington Borough. With the help of his cousin, Adam States III, he produced a wide variety until his death in 1823. These pieces are marked "W. States".

Upon William's death, the pottery business was taken over by Ichabod States and Joshua Swan. Financial problems ended their pottery production in 1834, but by then the mark "Swan & States, Stonington" was familiar all along the New England coast."

I was happy to obtain a large example of stoneware from the States family, which stands over thirteen-inches tall, through a friend of mine earlier this week. The following jar dates from the 1823-1834 production period in Stonington bearing the mark 'Swan & States / Stonington'. The jar was recently discovered at the flea market in Hollis, New Hampshire. What immediately attracted me to this jar was the form and size.

According to Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares', "The Swan and States association continued for eleven-years. November 20, 1834, Ichabo States sold out to Joshua Swan for $1,125, and, he, in turn, ten-days later, disposed of one-half of the original land, wharf and works to Charles P. Williams, who was not a potter. It is possible that Swan continued to make stoneware for a time. If so, no piece with his mark alone has yet been found. The mark 'Swan & States / Stonington' is seen on the sherds at the point in Stonington and on occasional surviving pieces."

In retrospect, I don't know how rare this piece is today; however, auction results seem to be scarce. Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland, Christies in New York City, Nadeau's Auctions in Windsor, Connecticut - and, a few other auction houses in the past decade have handled a small number of objects associated to Stonington and the 1823-1834 period; although, overall the Stonington products seem to be a rare item to find today.

19th Century Crock Made at the Swan & States Pottery in Stonington, CT

Marked 'Swan & States / Stonington'

Circa 1823-1834

Stands 13 1/2" Tall

Recently Discovered at the Hollis, NH Flea Market

View of the 'Swan & States / Stonington' Mark

View of One of the Handles

View of the Interior

The following maps show Stonington, Connecticut in respect to the Connecticut coastline, Rhode Island, Long Island - and, the location of the pottery on Stonington Point.