The reason that I purchased this jug is the fact that it could be interpreted as an object that was made in Charlestown, Massachusetts; however, it also shares characteristics that could possibly allow for a William Pecker attribution in Merrimacport, Massachusetts, as well.
Archaeological evidence has revealed that Pecker's relatively unknown stoneware production in Merrimacport was very similar to the production that happened in Charlestown with the potters, Frederick Carpenter and Jonathan Fenton in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-centuries.
This newly discovered jug appears to be similar to jars and jugs that were produced by Fenton before 1800; although, the pictures that are shown below also reveal that this jug does shares some decorative and construction styles that Pecker utilized with his rare stoneware production.
The most noticeable characteristics, which could possibly suggest a Pecker attribution are: A) The form of the jug, B) The placement and the form of the handle, C) The placement of the cobalt decoration, and D) The amount of incised line decoration that is also found in archaeological evidence recovered in Merrimacport - although, this type of incised line decoration is also found on products made in Charlestown that are usually tied to Frederick Carpenter today.
In theory, I have always felt that William Pecker must have manufactured some stoneware that was not stamped with his known 'Wm PECKER' mark; however, that type of attribution has, yet to be properly documented today.
I feel there may be some unmarked stoneware examples made by Pecker in existence, but those unmarked examples would more commonly be attributed to Charlestown today.
Nevertheless, Charlestown (or Boston) has been the more familiar attribution for these type of unmarked object dating back to the early-twentieth-century. However - What if William Pecker also produced unmarked stoneware?
There are less than ten known surviving stoneware objects that are marked with Pecker's stamp today; although, the large amount of archaeological evidence, which I have personally recovered suggest he produced much more stoneware than only those known marked objects (five jugs and two jars).
I should also mention that similar cobalt decoration is seen around two handles found on a stoneware jar owned by Historic New England in Haverhill, Massachusetts, which Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) attributes to the Isaac & Grace Parker Pottery in Charlestown, circa 1741-1745. Watkins found the jar in the 1930's in the basement of an eighteenth-century house in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
Note: The form of the necks and the lips on the five known William Pecker jugs usually vary in form. The marked Pecker jug that is shown below may be the most detailed example known today. I believe this is the only jug that is decorated with a double-lip, which is also coincidentally similar to some stoneware jugs produced in the Edgefield District in South Carolina in the nineteenth-century.
I also want to note that Pecker owned his own stamp for the stoneware that he produced; however, there is no known evidence today to suggest that he ever used this stamp on any of the red earthenware that he produced, circa 1790-1820.
(Left) Frederick Carpenter 2 Gallon Stoneware Jug - Charlestown, Mass.
Marked 'BOSTON'
Circa 1795-1810
(Right) William Pecker 2 Gallon Stoneware Jug - Merrimacport, Mass.
Marked 'Wm PECKER'
Circa 1790-1810
(Middle) Unmarked 1 Gallon Stoneware Jug Found Yesterday at a Mass. Flea Market
Shares Characteristics with Stoneware Jugs Made in Charlestown, Mass. and Merrimacport, Mass.
Possibly Made by Jonathan Fenton in Charlestown, Mass.
Possibly Made by William Pecker in Merrimacport, Mass.
Possibly Made by Jonathan Fenton in Charlestown, Mass.
Possibly Made by William Pecker in Merrimacport, Mass.
Recently Found on Cape Cod
Circa 1790-1810
Stands 11 1/2" Tall
Another View of the Jugs
View of the Handles
Another View of the Handles
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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