He had bought a farm in Cliftondale (then part of Lynn) in 1808, and, finding a deposit of clay on his land, he came to the conclusion that it would be possible to make from it a fine kind of earthenware, similar to what was imported from England.
In this hope, he put up a suitable plant, consisting of a large building and two smaller ones, and procured the best equipment and workmen he could find. Production began in 1811 and kept up for four years, but Jackson was doomed to disappointment, financial and otherwise, for the clay proved to be the usual variety from which only common red earthenware was made.
Jackson advertised his wares in glowing terms in the 'Boston Gazette' in December 16, 1811. It is evident from the list of forms that they did not greatly differ from those turned out by New England potters, although there was perhaps a greater variety.
Jackson's pottery was also sold by 'Wainwright and Jackson' in their store on Exchange Street in Cliftondale. Thomas Jackson of this firm was connected with the Boston Porcelain and Glass Company. The two may have been related."
My experience with the potter, William Jackson is extremely limited, and as much as I find the history behind his business significant today, there just does not seem to be much (if any) red earthenware that can be properly attributed to his production. I have no doubt that some examples must survive today, but how to distinguish what Jackson produced from wares made elsewhere in Essex County, Massachusetts seems difficult. There needs to be more proof, and I also do not know of any sherds or kiln evidence that survives, either.
However, my only experience with William Jackson involves a lidded manganese decorated red earthenware jar that I saw in a book when I visited a prominent collection of antiques in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 2013.
The book, 'Regional Aspects of American Folk Pottery' was published in 1974 to coincide with a collection of red earthenware, which was on display at the Historical Society of York County, Pennsylvania from May 12 to October 12, 1974. It was similar to an exhibit that Massachusetts antiques dealer, Brian Cullity assembled at the Sandwich Museum in Massachusetts in 1991. Likewise, Brian also published a book, 'Slipped and Glazed: Regional American Redware (A Loan Exhibition).'
The black-glazed jar was attributed to Jackson based on the fact that it was marked, 'Jackson.' Unfortunately, I do not know where this jar resides today, but it was loaned to the historical society from a private collection. I would like to believe that this could be the first example of red earthenware that is properly attribution to Jackson today, but I guess there could be other possibilities as to why it was marked "Jackson." I should also note that there were a couple of mistakes with the attributions given to the New England red earthenware aspect of the exhibit
Nevertheless, I would really like to learn the history of the William Jackson attribution. Was it merely based on the mark? Or was there more to the attribution, such as the context where the object was discovered? Or could it even possess a long history of family ownership?
It is also rather unusual that Jackson has his own Wikipedia page today that mentions his pottery production, among other achievements. Here is a link to the page.
Early 19th Century Lidded Red Earthenware Jar
Reportedly Made by William Jackson in Lynn/Saugus, Mass.
Marked 'Jackson'
Circa 1811/12-1816
Stands 9 1/2" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Regional Aspects of American Folk Pottery, York, PA HSO, 1974
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