An Unexpected Clay Source Suitable for Red Earthenware Production Found in Newburyport, Massachusetts

Yesterday, I was on a bike ride in an area of Newburyport, Massachusetts that was known to have employed red earthenware potters and an art potter's business located within its vicinity during the eighteenth, nineteenth and early-twentieth-centuries. The area was not too far from the oldest cemetery in Newburyport, either, - the Old Hill Burying Ground. The better-known local potter's businesses included the Daniel Bayley Pottery (circa 1766-1799), the Ebenezer Morrison (1741-1803) Pottery - and, Thomas Nickerson's Merrimac Pottery Company (1897-1908). All of these businesses were located directly southwest from where I took a break on my bike ride yesterday.

I ride my bike through this area of the city weekly; however, it had never really dawned on me until yesterday that this area may have been a local clay source, too. From my studies: I have revealed that these potters all dug their own clay with the exception of some of the clay that was used in the early-1900's at the Merrimac Pottery Company - which, was a high-end art potter's business that used local clay for red earthenware; however, Nickerson also reportedly imported a fine clay from Ohio for a finer type of earthenware production.

When I began to climb a hill with my mountain bike - I noticed that some of the ground appeared wet. It became apparent as I approached the area that the ground wasn't actually wet, but, rather, it was actually clay that was glistening as the late-morning sun shined on it. The clay appeared with a blueish-colored tint, which I knew was the type of clay commonly used in New England for red earthenware production. The clay doesn't take on a reddish-color until after it has been fired in the potter's kiln, hence the idea red earthenware or redware. I don't know why I had never noticed this before - never-the-less, the clay was everywhere. Based on this evidence - I assume that this area had to have served as a local clay source.

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' "As early as 1775, Ebenezer Morrison had built a kiln southwest of his house. The town fathers voted on March 15, 1775 'to grant Ebenezer Morrison liberty to setup a Potter's Kiln at or near the North West side of Burying Hill to be under the Direction of the Selectmen for the time being.'

The right of Ebenezer Morrison to 'Dig Clay near the Burying Ground ' was questioned at a meeting of the selectmen, August 11, 1784, and was referred to a committee for investigation. They recommended, March 16, 1785, that 'no person whatever be suffered to dig any clay or gravel upon the town's land near the town's burying ground. This regulation could not have interfered seriously with the potter's getting clay, as all of the land in the area seems to be one vast clay bed."

 Hill in Newburyport, Mass. that Reveals a Clay Source

 Closer Look at the Clay Source

 An Even Closer Look at the Clay Source

 Ball of Clay that I Rolled Up from the Clay Seen on the (Bike) Path

 This Entire Area is Full of Clay that Appears Suitable for Red Earthenware Production

 This Entire Area is Full of Clay that Appears Suitable for Red Earthenware Production

This Entire Area is Full of Clay that Appears Suitable for Red Earthenware Production

Here are some of the products that are attributed to the potter's businesses that I cite above; unfortunately, the only known examples of pottery from Ebenezer Morrison's business are what Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins collected in the 1930's at the Morrison site in Newburyport. She found a number of sherds and kiln furniture at the Morrison site that resemble products that were also made at the Bayley Pottery, which is the result of potters working at both businesses. Honestly, it's uncanny how similar the slip techniques were when compared between these two eighteenth-century companies.

I don't believe there are any known products that are properly attributed to Morrison's output today. Although, it is assumed that since his wares were very-similar to what was produced at the Bayley Pottery that anything that has survived today, which resembles this type of production is attributed to the Bayley Pottery. My guess is that there are examples from the Morrison Pottery out there, but they are probably attributed to the better known Bayley Pottery today. The Morrison Pottery is virtually unknown.

I should note that I have shown a pair of red earthenware mugs below that I attribute to the Bayley Pottery, but I assume that an argument could also be made for the Morrison Pottery, too. The mugs have an early history of ownership in Newburyport.

- Mugs Attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery

- But, An Argument Could Also be Made for the Ebenezer Morrison Pottery
- Also, Sherds from the Daniel Bayley Pottery

 18th Century Red Earthenware Mugs Attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery - Newburyport, Mass.
But, An Argument Could Also be Made for the Ebenezer Morrison Pottery, Too

Circa 1766-1799

Both Stand About 5 1/2" (Without the Lid)

Both Have Early Histories of Local Ownership in Newburyport, Mass.

View of the Very-Similar Handles

 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Sherds

Recovered at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Site in Newburyport, Mass. in the 1930's

Recovered by Lura Woodside Watkins

Circa 1766-1799

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Sherd

Recovered at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Site in Newburyport, Mass. in the 1930's

Recovered by Lura Woodside Watkins

Circa 1766-1799

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

- Thomas Nickerson's Merrimac Pottery Company

Merrimac Pottery Company Red Earthenware Vase - Newburyport, Mass.

Circa 1897-1908

Stands Roughly 3 1/2" Tall

Measures Approximately 5 1/2" Wide

Found in a Shop in New Hampshire in 2013

Merrimac Pottery Company Red Earthenware Vase - Newburyport, Mass.

Circa 1897-1908

Stands 5 1/2" Tall

Found in a House on Cape Cod in 2015

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