Red Earthenware From Nova Scotia that was Recently Found on the Property of the Old North Church in Boston

I thought this would be a topic of interest to share since Canadian-made red earthenware or stoneware is not commonly found in American archaeological contexts today. Whereas, whole examples of Canadian-made pottery is often found in various locations, such as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, upstate New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. However, it is rare to find evidence that supports the idea that these types of wares were actually used in American homes in the nineteenth century. The whole examples could have migrated south at any point in the twentieth century - and, thus why it is so fascinating when archaeology uncovers proof for when Canadian pottery was actually used in America in the 1800s.

The following sherds were recently discovered within a nineteenth century archaeological context on property that is owned by the Old North Church in Boston today. They were uncovered on part of the church's property, where a tenement house once stood in the 1800s.

These sherds are what is left of what I believe to be a double-handled crock with a slip-decorated interior, which was likely made in Nova Scotia in the late-1800s. This type of pottery is also commonly called "Maritime-ware" today. An easy way to identify this type of pottery is the dark-colored clay and the slip-glazed interior; although, similar decoration is also found on wares that were made on Prince Edward Island in Canada in the late-nineteenth century. The general "Martime-Ware" attribution covers the entire area of coastal eastern Canada.

It is unclear if these sherds are from a person, who migrated from Canada to Boston in the 1800s; however, it is also possible that a shipment of red earthenware may have been sent to Boston from Nova Scotia during this period, as well. This would have been a period when the production of red earthenware had declined in coastal Massachusetts in comparison to how much production took place in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century.

Note: Additional sherds from this object were also uncovered in the same archaeological context at the Old North Church, which included a sherd that still retained one of the crock's handles. I have also included a picture of how this object may have originally appeared; although, the exterior glaze is a little different.

Sherds Recovered at the Old North Church in Boston

 Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Sherds Likely Made in Nova Scotia

These Type of Wares are Commonly Called "Martime-Ware"

Maritime-Ware is Commonly Slip-Glazed on the Interior

Uncovered at the Old North Church in Boston

Circa 1870-1900

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

View of the Slip-Decorated Interior on the Sherds

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

Red Earthenware Pot from Nova Scotia

Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Pot Attributed to Nova Scotia

Recently Saw in a Shop in Southern Maine

These Type of Wares are Commonly Called "Martime-Ware"

Maritime-Ware is Commonly Slip-Glazed on the Interior

Circa 1870-1900

Stands Approximately 10" Tall

 Photo Courtesy: Antiques USA - Arundel, ME

 View of One Handle

 Photo Courtesy: Antiques USA - Arundel, ME

 View of the Other Handle

 Photo Courtesy: Antiques USA - Arundel, ME

View of the Slip-Glazed Interior

 Photo Courtesy: Antiques USA - Arundel, ME

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