The supplier must have been a major brick manufacturer in respect to the size of this building. I estimate that there must be millions of bricks that were used for the structure and architectural purposes.
There are two separate dates on this factory building, which must mean that this building was built in two separate phases - the first part of the building was built in 1877 - and, the latter in 1908. The idea with the amount of bricks that were used for this building really paints a picture of how large the brick industry was during the American Industrial Revolution. The demand was huge with cities across the country as major businesses began to emerge and expand with growing demands.
According to the website, 'Hat Tales,' "Abner L. Bailey founded the Merrimac Hat Company in 1856 (closed in 1944). Despite its humble beginnings, the company grew through a series of mergers to become the largest producer of hats in the United States."
I guess this building fascinates me most because of its strong history, but the fact that it is near my house probably also plays a factor. I believe that the bricks likely came from a Massachusetts manufacturer. My guess is that these bricks were probably made in the Boston and Medford, Massachusetts-areas. I tried to see if there were any marked bricks, laying on the ground, in the area that is currently under demolition - unfortunately, there were no marked bricks that I could see - I may give the area a better look at a later time.
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
'1877' Date on the Building
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
Another View of the '1877' Date on the Building
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
'1908' Date on the Building
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
Another View of the '1908' Date on the Building
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
Merrimac Hat Factory Building - Amesbury, MA
It was about an hour before sunset, when I arrived at the site of the Merrimacport potteries that operated in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. I was fortunate that the tide was low enough, too - I didn't check the tide level before I left my house. Fortunately, there was enough dry shoreline that I could check the area for remains from these businesses.
Merrimac River in Merrimacport, MA
Merrimac River in Merrimacport, MA
Merrimac River in Merrimacport, MA
Merrimac River in Merrimacport, MA
Merrimac River in Merrimacport, MA
Merrimac River in Merrimacport, MA
An object that I immediately stumbled across was an iron horse shoe. I am not positive if this is related to the potteries in Merrimacport; although, I have seen horse shoes at other potter's sites that I have visited throughout New England, which include the Bickford Family Pottery in Buxton, Maine. All this probably indicates is that there were horses in the area - I don't believe it is directly related to pottery production even though I do find it interesting.
Horse-Shoe Discovered in Merrimacport, MA
My real focus when I usually visit William Pecker's area of production in Merrimacport is to attempt to try and find any remains that are associated with his production of stoneware in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. It's really a good research subject right now - I feel that every piece that I find is important to the future knowledge of this important potter.
None-the-less, I did come across a very-small black-glazed red earthenware jug sherd that was near the waterline. To give you an idea of how small this jug once was - the handle terminal that is seen is only one-and-one-half inches above the sherd's base. Personally, I believe a jug of this size would typically be attributed to Maine today; however, jugs of all sizes were made at just about every potter's business. A certain size should not be attributed to a specific area today; although, a certain form can often be attributed to a specific location.
Small19th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Sherd Discovered in Merrimacport, MA
Likely Related to the William Pecker Pottery
Circa 1790-1820
Another View of the Sherd
This is the Remains of a Very-Small Jug
The Handle Terminal is Located 1 1/4" Above the Vase
This picture provides another look at the red earthenware sherd - it also shows some of the stoneware remains and stoneware kiln furniture that I discovered. If you notice, one of the stoneware sherds retains part of a handle - the manufacture and placement of that handle is closely associated with what's left of the handle that is seen on the red earthenware jug sherd.
Red Earthenware and Stoneware Remains Collected Yesterday
Collected at the Site of William Pecker's Operation in Merrimacport, Mass.
Circa 1790-1820
Notice the Handles on the Circled Red Earthenware and Stoneware Sherds
They Are Very-Similar
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