EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: The Continued Study of an Important 18th Century Red Earthenware Jug that was Recently Found in a House in Southern New Hampshire

Monday, July 18, 2016

The Continued Study of an Important 18th Century Red Earthenware Jug that was Recently Found in a House in Southern New Hampshire

I would like to quickly make a visual comparison between the eighteenth-century New Hampshire-made red earthenware jug that I wrote about a few days ago - and, a late-eighteenth-century two-gallon stoneware jug that was likely made by Fredrick Carpenter in Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1793-1796. This stoneware jug is also marked "BOSTON."

The purpose of this article is to make an observation to show how the form of some American-made eighteenth-century stoneware jugs may have been influential in the making of this important eighteenth-century red earthenware jug.

I believe this red earthenware jug was made in central New Hampshire. I also believe it has some type of relationship to Peter Clark's production in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire during the circa 1775-1795 period.

For more information about Peter Clark, I suggest picking up a copy of the August 2016 edition of the New England Antiques Journal, which discusses Clark's legacy in detail.

Note: This red earthenware jug was recently found during a house clean out in southern New Hampshire. It was reportedly owned by an elderly woman for many years. The jug was found inside her early home sitting on bricks next to a fireplace.

I also want to mention that the potter, Jonathan Fenton was employed in Charlestown, Massachusetts during the circa 1793-1796 period. The form of his stoneware jugs are also similar in shape to this red earthenware jug; however, when Fenton left Charlestown, he traveled to Walpole, New Hampshire in 1797 before he finally settled in Vermont. There is not much known about his Walpole production today; although, Walpole is not a great distance from Lyndeborough, where Peter Clark was employed.

A Comparison of Two Jugs

(Left) 18th Century Red Earthenware Jug Likely Made in Central New Hampshire
Recently Found in an Old Home in Southern New Hampshire

Possibly Related to Peter Clark's Production in Lyndeborough, NH
Similar in Form to Stoneware Jugs Made in Charlestown, Mass. in the Late-18th Century

Circa 1775-1795

Stands 15" Tall

(Right) Late-18th Century Stoneware Jug Attributed to Frederick Carpeter - Charlestown, Mass.

2-Gallon Jug is Marked 'BOSTON'

Found at an Essex County, Mass. Flea Market in 2015

Circa 1793-1796

Stands 14 1/2" Tall