The diameter of the largest pipe is five inches, of the medium one, four and one-half inches, and the small one, two and one-half inches. The walls are approximately one-half an inch thick.
It will be noted that the small-sized pipes were set inside the larger for economy of space in setting the kiln. They all have flat bases."
This type of pipe is described in the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum's catalog, which is owned by Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley today; "A section of red earthenware water pipe, made from red clay, now darkened (from the kiln). There is a section of small pipe loose within the larger pipe, evidently having been put in for firing (in the potter's kiln). It is now warped so it cannot be removed. Both pieces are flat on the bottom, otherwise rounded in section.
Original dimensions probably were: length 12", outside diameter 5" and 2 1/2", bore 4" and 1 3/4".
This piece comes from the Thomas Crafts Pottery in Whately, Massachusetts, and it was produced sometime in the late-1840's to about 1860, and was destroyed by a fire.
This object was presented by Lura Woodside Watkins to the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum on September 16, 1936."
19th Century Earthenware Water Drain Pipe from the Thomas Crafts Pottery in Whately, Mass.
Pictured in a Large Pipe with a Small Pipe Set Inside
This was Recovery by Lura Woodside Watkins in Whately, Mass.
Circa Late-1840's-1860
Measures 11 3/4" Long
Photo Courtesy: Joseph Allen Skinner Museum, Mount Holyoke College - South Hadley, MA
Not too long, a friend of mine, acquired two pieces of red earthenware water pipe in Deerfield, Massachusetts that are directly tied to the Thomas Crafts (1781-1861) Pottery in Whately. The pipes were originally owned by Massachusetts author, Henry C. Baldwin, who wrote the books, 'A Guide to Whately Pottery and the Potters: Whately, Massachusetts, 1778-1873' and 'The Stoneware Potters of Ashfield, Massachusetts, 1845-1856.'
These pieces of water pipe were accompanied by a letter from Henry C. Baldwin: "April 2008, This earthenware 7/8" water pipe came from the Thomas Crafts Pottery dump now on Lasalle Drive in Whately, Massachusetts. It was laying on the pottery's original dump surface.
It is our opinion that this pipe may have been installed in the Crafts home, or the nearby cow barn.
About 1859, it may have been removed for modern copper piping when the Crafts home was moved and turned because of Route 91. It also could have been part of the pottery shed, which still exists today.
Regardless, this pipe was made at the Thomas Crafts Pottery, which upon review explains why he was purchasing red sand - the clay itself seems to be a mixture of red sand added to the native clay, explaining the hardness of the body."
Instead, I am going to suggest that this pipe may have been a waster from the Thomas Crafts potter's kiln since both objects appear warped. I am going to suggest that these objects are original to the trash pile, which is said to be enormous in size. Although, I should also mention that the site of this trash pile, and the rest of the Thomas Crafts Pottery is privately owned property today.
Note: According to Howard G. Hubbard's research - the diameter of this pipe measures two and one-half inches across, which suggest this is the smaller sized water pipe that was made at the Thomas Crafts Pottery.
19th Century Red Earthenware Water Pipes
Likely Made at the Thomas Crafts Pottery in Whately, Mass.
Appears to be the Small Sized Water Pipe Based on the Diameter of These Objects
Appears to be the Small Sized Water Pipe Based on the Diameter of These Objects
Found in Deerfield, Mass.
Circa 1840-1860
(Top) Measures 15 1/2" Long
Measures 2 1/1" in Diameter
(Bottom) The Larger Section of this Pipe was Used for Connecting Two Pipes
Measures 5 7/8" in Diameter
Measures 5 7/8" in Diameter
Measures 2 1/2" in Diameter
Another View of the Pipes
Another View of the Pipes
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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