A Look at Late-17th or Early-18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds that were Made in Massachusetts

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "The scarcity of surviving specimens of early red earthenware had led to the assumption that only pewter and wooden vessels were used by the pioneers of New England, and the rare mention of potters in historical records has contributed to this belief. Nevertheless, a careful study of land and probate records shows that there were in fact potters among the first arrivals here and that they plied their trade over long periods.

James Kettle (or Kettell) (1764-1712) was among the group of seventeenth-century potters in Massachusetts, where he worked in Beverly and Danvers from about 1685-1710. Although, Beverly and Danvers were both originally parts of Salem, Massachusetts and the boundary line between them was twice changed. After a church had been built in the section now known as Danvers, the parish was called Salem Village to distinguish it from Salem proper. In that parish James Kettel and several other potters lived.

James Kettle was the son of John of Manchester and Gloucester (Massachusetts), for whom Kettle Cove was named. John was perhaps the brother of William Kettell (or Kettle), the founder of the Charlestown family of that name. This theory is strengthened by the fact that James spent his last years in Charlestown. He also may have apprenticed in Charlestown under Samuel Kettell (1642-1694) from about 1678-1685."

There are two red earthenware rim sherds that are known today that may ultimately link James Kettle to Charlestown, which could prove that James Kettle was in-fact, a Charlestown trained potter. This is not a large body of evidence, but I truly believe that it is more than a coincidence that these two artifacts are decorated in such a similar manner. Although the decoration is different, but the amount of slip-decoration and its placement is what is very similar.

These objects are both decorated in slip over a black glaze, which is a similar color-pattern when compared to some of the earthenware that was produced in England during the period. The sherds also appear to be rim sherds that broke off of a pan, which Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) indicates was a popular form in the seventeenth-century.

"(Red) earthenware is mentioned in Essex County, Massachusetts, probate inventories as early as 1644. (Red) earthenware pans were owned by Francis Lightfoot of Lynn (1646), by Emma Mason of Salem (1647) and milk pans were also noted in the inventory of John Hardy in Salem (1652)."

The first rim sherd (see below) was discovered in an early-eighteenth-century context in Charlestown, Massachusetts. It is believed to have been made in that potter's industry during the period.

Watkins described the second rim sherd in an article that she wrote for 'The Magazine Antiques' in 1957, which was titled, 'New England Pottery in the Smithsonian,' "The rather neat and careful style of early slip decoration, on this sherd is from the side wall of a fifteen inch pan (called a "platter"). It was excavated at the site of the pottery of James Kettle in Danvers"

Note: Interestingly, I have found that there is a crossover that occurred in styles of slip-decoration that were applied at the potter's industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century, which are also found in other industries in Massachusetts. I think in some cases it is a coincidence, but in others it is not. For example, the Daniel Bailey Pottery Company (circa 1764-1799) in Newburyport, Massachusetts created styles of slip-decoration that are comparable to what was done in Charlestown. But I do not believe there is any connection.

I have also shown a picture of a slip-decorated mug (Figure 28, Early New England Pottters and Their Wares) that Lura Woodside Watkins says may have been made in southeastern Massachusetts, circa 1750. Although, the style of slip on this mug is also comparable to what was done in Charlestown during this same period.

Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

Early-18th Century Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

This is Also Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown

The Rim Appears Like it May Have Come from Some Type of Pan

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

Sherd Recovered in Danvers, Mass.

Late-17th or Early-18th Century Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered in Danvers, Mass.

Recovered at the Site of James Kettle's Pottery, Circa 1685-1710

This Sherd is the Remains of a Pan

Lura Woodside Watkins Collection

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History, The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

A Circa 1750 Red Earthenware Mug

 (Left) 18th Century Century Mug Likely Made in Coastal Massachusetts

The Style of the Slip is Comparable to What was Produced in Charlestown, Mass.

Stands Approximately 6" Tall

Circa 1750

Lura Woodside Watkins Collection

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History, The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

(Left) View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History, The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

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