The Continued Study of 18th Century Red Earthenware Made in Rhode Island in Comparison to Products Made Elsewhere in New England

Last week, I discussed the likelihood that some eighteenth-century red earthenware may have survived from the Upton Pottery in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, I do not know of any archaeological evidence that exists from this business, which can properly attribute such an example of red earthenware to the Upton Pottery. However, there are some products that were published in the early-twentieth-century that may be the only evidence of production left from this important colonial red earthenware business today.

History indicates the Upton Pottery was organized by two brothers, Isaac Upton (1736-1824) and Samuel Upton (1748-1810). It was purportedly a business that was established amid the American Revolution Era during the circa 1771-1783 period. A brief history of this business is reportedly preserved in a book published in 1892, titled 'China Collecting in America,' which was written by Alice Morse Earle.

According to Earle, "Around the commencement of the Revolutionary War a man named Upton came from Nantucket to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and there manufactured red earthenware. The pottery when made was baked in a kiln which stood at the corner of King and Marlboro Streets. He made pans, bowls, plates, cups and saucers of common red clay, a little finer than that now used in the manufacturer of flower pots. As little porcelain was imported from Europe during the War, people used willingly, and even eagerly, the coarse plates, and drank their 'Liberty Tea' from the coarse cups and saucers. The clay came from Goold's Mount, now owned by Mr. Henry Waterman, of Quidneset, Rhode Island. After the war ended, Upton went back to his safety-assured home on Nantucket and the Greenwich Pottery was closed."

The Upton Pottery was a small business - and, its output likely paled in comparison to the industries, which operated before 1883 in places such as Essex County, Massachusetts, Charlestown, Massachusetts (before 1775), Boston's South Shore and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Under the historical circumstances, I truly question how much actually survives from the Upton Pottery today; although, I have seen a number of examples of eighteenth-century red earthenware in recent years that were attributed to Rhode Island. However, I feel that many (if not most) of these products were actually made elsewhere in New England in the late-eighteenth or nineteenth-century.

To my knowledge: there were only two attempts to produce red earthenware in Rhode Island - the first attempt happened with Joseph Wilson (born 1735) in Providence Rhode Island. Joseph was a member of the prominent Wilson family of potters, who operated a successful business in South Danvers, Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century. Nevertheless, Joseph Wilson chose to travel elsewhere for work landing himself in Dedham, Massachusetts in the early-1760's before he briefly settled in Providence, Rhode Island from circa 1767-1770.

An advertisement from the June 22, 1767 'Newport (Rhode Island) Mercury' identifies some of the types of wares that Wilson produced in Providence: "Joseph Wilson - potter at the North End of Providence Informs the Public that he can Supply them with Earthen Ware at a Cheap Rate, made in the best Manner and Glazed in the Same Way as Practised in Philadelphia - All Persons in this Town may be regularly supplied by Means of the Boats which constantly pass between this Place and Providence."

Note: This advertisement is important today since it likely proves that potters elsewhere in America took notice of the incredible talent that was employed in Philadelphia before the American Revolution. Archaeology has also preserved this talent today, which is represented with the aesthetics found in Philadelphia-made red earthenware and stoneware.

The only other attempt at red earthenware production in Rhode Island appears to have happened with the Upton Pottery, which reportedly ceased production soon after the American Revolution had ended. Afterwards, Rhode Island seems to have been dominated with red earthenware imported from Massachusetts and possibly Connecticut. Stoneware also became popular in Rhode Island in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

Today, I believe there is confusion with the type of red earthenware that was actually produced in Rhode Island versus what was produced elsewhere in New England. I also feel that some of the Rhode Island products are merely attributed as-a-result of a green-glaze that was applied in Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and among other potter's businesses, as well.

For example, the following green-glazed red earthenware jug is attributed to Rhode Island by Winterthur in Wilmington, Delaware. The museum suggests a production date of circa 1775-1810. The jug was also acquired in 1953, and it was likely acquired with that attribution.

However, this is undoubtedly a jug that was made in Southern Maine during the 1820-1860 period. This form and handle is regularly attributed to John Alld (active circa 1811-1865) in Hollis, Maine today. This is also arguably the finest glazed example of John Alld red earthenware known to exist today.

I should note that the color of this green-glaze is comparable to some highly-desired red earthenware products that were made in southeastern Massachusetts during the circa 1790-1830 period. I believe that this green-glaze is also probably how the Rhode Island attribution was originally developed. Nonetheless, this is a Maine-made product.

A very-similar green-glazed jug that was attributed to John Alld in Hollis, Maine sold at a Tim Gould auction in Augusta, Maine in October 2015 for $7,475, which included the buyer's premium. The jug was purchased at a small Southern Maine auction only a few years prior.

I have also shown another jug that was also likely made by John Alld in Hollis, Maine, which was originally sold by John McInnis in Amesbury, Massachusetts in January 2015. Although, this jug was sold, again in October 2015 by Tim Gould in Augusta, Maine for just over $3,000, which also included the buyer's premium.

Green-Glazed John Alld Jug Owned by Winterthur

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Likely Made by John Alld - Hollis, ME
Possibly the Finest Glazed John Alld Object to Exist Today
Color of this Green-Glaze is Comparable to Products that were Made in Southeastern Massachusetts

Museum Suggested a Rhode Island Attribution, Circa 1775-1810

A Similar Example Sold at a Tim Gould Sale in Augusta, ME in October 2015

Likely Made Circa 1820-1860

Stands 6 3/8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Winterthur - Wilmington, DE

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Winterthur - Wilmington, DE

Green-Glazed John Alld Jug Sold by Tim Gould

19th Century Southern Maine Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to John Alld - Hollis, ME

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 7" Tall

Sold on Saturday October, 24, 2015 for $7,475

Photo Courtesy: Tim Gould Auctions - Augusta & Smithfield, ME

John Alld Jug Sold by John McInnis

19th Century Southern Maine Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to John Alld - Hollis, ME

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 7" Tall

Sold for $780 on January 2, 2015

 This Jug Sold, Again in Maine (See Below) in October 2015
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.

John Alld Jug Sold, Again by Tim Gould

19th Century Southern Maine Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to John Alld - Hollis, ME

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 7" Tall

Sold Saturday October 24, 2015 for $3,047.50
This Jug Previously Sold in Massachusetts in January 2015

Photo Courtesy: Tim Gould Auctions - Augusta & Smithfield, ME

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