An Important 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar Acquired Yesterday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins important book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' "Brimfield, Massachusetts is said to have had its local potter as early as 1780. There is some question about the potter's name, but information obtained by Rev. Randolph Hill from Miss Anna Tarbell, who owned a pitcher made in Brimfield, seems to verify the fact that the maker was David Bugbee (1749-1822). If so, he was perhaps the son of Daniel Bugbee of Woodstock, Connecticut, a one-time resident of Brimfield, as there is no record of a David Bugbee being born in the town."

Also according to Watkins, "Thomas Bugbee, Jr. (1761-1843 - brother of David Bugbee) founded a well-known pottery in South Woodstock, Connecticut in 1793. Bugbee, who was then thirty-three years old, was apparently untrained in the potter's art, for he employed a 'foreign' artisan to oversee the various processes of preparing the clay and glazing wares. The word 'foreign' does not necessarily mean his master workman came from across the sea, but perhaps only from Massachusetts or a distant part of Connecticut; in those days of limited travel, all outside towns were foreign. So we would not expect Bugbee's output to differ in any respect from the wares made elsewhere in New England. It is said that he produced large quantities of pottery. In six firings during the summer, he burned some five thousand pieces. Of these, two thousand were milk pans. They were (reportedly) distributed by cart to stores in all the neighboring settlements of Windham County (Connecticut). The pottery continued until 1843, when its owner died."

I purchased the following important eighteenth-century red earthenware jar from Massachusetts antiques dealer, Samuel Herrup at an antique show in Portsmouth, New Hampshire this past week weekend. This acquisition did not come as a surprise, either since I was already aware of this jar's existence prior to yesterday's show.

This double-handled jar is believed to be a product of the Bugbee family made before 1800; however, whether it is a product made in Connecticut or Massachusetts is open to debate. Personally, I do not know of any archaeological evidence that could support either claim, but there is more information that may help with a proper identification.

An old tag, which accompany's this jar, reads, "Probably made in / Woodstock, CT by / Bugbee." Although, I have also been told that this jar was originally discovered in the Brimfield, Massachusetts-area.

Nevertheless, this is a very-rare object to find today - in fact, any type of eighteenth-century New England-made red earthenware is exceptionally rare today - yet, the size of this object, and its appearance make it extra special.

This jar  is also likely living proof of the potter's businesses that began to emerge away from coastal New England around the American Revolution. There are very-few survivors known from this transition period today.

I have visited numerous museum's storage facilities, such as Historic New England, Old Sturbridge Village and the Smithsonian; truthfully, I have, yet to see another New England-made object that compares to this jar in form, size and glaze-style. This jar may be a lone survivor today. It is possible that this jar could have been manufactured as-early-as 1780, which would place its production during the American Revolution.

Note: This jar also has a letter or a sympbol scratched into it - it appears like it could be a letter 'J.' This would have occurred after the jar had been fired in the potter's kiln. It is a strong possibility that a previous owner marked the jar. The mark may have been a symbol for what the jar held; although, it may also have represented the owner. I should also mention that this jar likely possessed a lid, which is now lost or broken. The jar is also covered in fingerprints from when the potter was throwing and glazing this object.

My 4-Year-Old Niece, Alexis Pictured with the Large Jar

Notice the Size of the Jar

Likely Late-18th Century New England-Made Red Earthenare Jar
Possibly Related to the Bugbee Pottery in South Woodstock, CT or Brimfield, MA
Reportedly Found in the Brimfield, MA-Area
Circa 1780-1799
Stands 13 3/4" Tall
Purchased Yesterday at an Antique Show in Portsmouth, NH
Acquired from Massachusetts Antiques Dealer, Samuel Herrup

Another View of the Jar

View of One Handle

View of the Other Handle

View of a Symbol or an Object Scratched into the Jar by a Previous Owner

View of the Interior

View of the Base

View of the Note

Reads 'Probably made in / Woodstock, CT by / Bugbee'

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