Upton Brothers Pottery - East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Circa 1771-1783
History indicates the Upton Pottery was established by two brothers, Isaac Upton (1736-1824) and Samuel Upton (1748-1810) in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. It was purportedly a business that was established amid the American Revolution Era during the circa 1771-1783 period. A brief history of this business is reportedly preserved in a book published in 1892, titled 'China Collecting in America,' which was written by Alice Morse Earle.
According to Earle, "Around the commencement of the Revolutionary War a man named Upton came from Nantucket to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and there manufactured red earthenware. The pottery when made was baked in a kiln which stood at the corner of King and Marlboro Streets. He made pans, bowls, plates, cups and saucers of common red clay, a little finer than that now used in the manufacture of flower pots. As little porcelain was imported from Europe during the War, people used willingly, and even eagerly, the coarse plates, and drank their 'Liberty Tea' from the coarse cups and saucers. The clay came from Goold's Mount, now owned by Mr. Henry Waterman, of Quidneset, Rhode Island. After the war ended, Upton went back to his safety-assured home on Nantucket and the Greenwich Pottery was closed."
I have always questioned what was ultimately produced at the Upton Pottery since there is no archaeology (to my knowledge) from this business, which was actually found at the site of the Upton Pottery. Lura Woodside Watkins wrote about this business in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares;' however, she never cited any known examples that were made by the Upton brothers.
Noted Cape Cod, Massachusetts collector, Charles D. Cook was likely aware of the information published by Alice Morse Early in 1892 when he wrote an article titled, 'Early Rhode Island Pottery' for the January 1931 edition of the 'Magzine Antiques.' The article shows a group of illustrated examples, which were used from Cook's collection. I could be wrong, but I believe this article is where the Upton Pottery attributions are drawn from today. However, there is no archaeology cited in this article. Instead, this is how the attributions are identified:
"Figure 1 - Surfaced (covered) with a characteristic jade green glaze that, in conjunction with the nature of the clay employed, seems to identify the product of the Upton brothers' pottery in East Greenwich."
"Figure 2 - In body and glaze so similar to the items illustrated in Figure 1 as to be attributable to the Uptons."
Unfortunately, the objects shown in Figure 2 resemble (to me): (left) a late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century jug made in southeastern Massachusetts, (middle) a late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century pitcher made in southeastern Massachusetts, (right) and a nineteenth-century jug possibly made in northern New England.
Given the fact that there was an established potter's industry in southeastern Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century, which employed dozens of talented potters - then, how can these products that are said to have been made by the Uptons be guaranteed to be from the Upton Pottery. After all, there is still much to be learned about the eighteenth-century red earthenware production that took place in southeastern Massachusetts, as well. There was also much more production in southeastern Massachusetts when compared to what reportedly happened in Rhode Island.
I also find it difficult to say that a certain object was made at the Upton Pottery when it is known that a related style of production happened less-than thirty-miles to the north. The clay likely appeared the same, as well. For example, I have seen in southern Maine that the clay can appear pale, but it can also appear dark even when it is harvested from the same clay source.
It is also noted in Alice Morse Earle's article that the Upton's produced pottery that could be used for the consumption of tea, which I do not doubt; however, it is also known that the potters in southeastern Massachusetts also produced products related to the production of tea during the same period. Here is a properly attributed example that was made in southeastern Massachusetts from the collection of Lewis Scranton in Killingworth, Connecticut.
Note: Skinner sold the majority of Charles D. Cook's collection in Boston in the early-2000's. Interestingly, two of the objects that were attributed by Cook to Rhode Island were identified by Skinner as products from southeastern Massachusetts, circa 1790-1830. Among those objects was a pitcher that is shown in Figure 1 of Cook's article that is said to exhibit a green-glaze and a clay color that is "...identifiable to the Upton brother's pottery in East Greenwich."
Here is a link to the green-glazed pitcher that sold from Charles D. Cook's collection, which was pictured in Figure 1 of the article. It is shown second from left with what I believe is a lid that was later added; although, it was sold without a lid at Skinner's in 2003.
Here is a link to the green-glazed pitcher that sold from Charles D. Cook's collection that was pictured in the middle of Figure 2 in the article.
Joseph Wilson Pottery - Providence, Rhode Island
Circa 1767-1770
To my knowledge: there were only two successful attempts to produce red earthenware in Rhode Island - the first attempt happened with Joseph Wilson (born 1735) in Providence, Rhode Island. Joseph was a member of the prominent Wilson family of potters, who operated a successful multi-generational business in South Danvers, Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century. However, Joseph Wilson chose to travel elsewhere for work - he briefly settled in Dedham, Massachusetts in the early-1760's; although, he is later found in Providence, circa 1767-1770.
Nonetheless, Charles D. Cook did illustrate an olive green-glazed lidded red earthenware jug in his article that he wrote for the January 1931 edition of the 'Magazine Antiques,' which he says is "ascribed" or attributed to Joseph Wilson in Providence. This is potentially a highly important piece of pottery. Unfortunately, I do not know its whereabouts today, but I would be eager to learn otherwise if anyone is familiar with its existence.
According to Cook, "Figure 3 - This eighteenth century covered jug or jar is covered in an olive green glaze with large orange mottlings. It is ascribed to Joseph Wilson, who was potting in Providence as early as 1767."
In previous articles, I have cited an advertisement from the 'Newport (Rhode Island) Mercury' on June 22, 1767, which identifies some of the types of wares that Wilson produced in Providence: "Joseph Wilson - potter at the North End of Providence Informs the Public that he can Supply them with Earthen Ware at a Cheap Rate, made in the best Manner and Glazed in the Same Way as Practised in Philadelphia - All Persons in this Town may be regularly supplied by Means of the Boats which constantly pass between this Place and Providence."
What is especially interesting about the lidded jug that Cook attributes to Wilson is the fact that a similar form was also produced in Essex County, Massachusetts in the 1700's (see below). Understandably, Wilson was an Essex County trained potter before he established a business in Providence; therefore, some of the pottery that he produced was likely influenced by the wares that were made in Essex County.
Note: I do not believe the jug that is attributed to Joseph Wilson was sold when Skinner was consigned the bulk of Charles D. Cook's collection in the early-2000's.
Early Rhode Island Pottery Artcle
Written by Charles D. Cook, Magazine Antiques, January 1931
Early Rhode Island Pottery Article
Written by Charles D. Cook for the Magazine Antiques, January 1931
Page 37
Photo Courtesy: Magazine Antiques, January 1931
Early Rhode Island Pottery Article
Written by Charles D. Cook for the Magazine Antiques, January 1931
Page 38
Photo Courtesy: Magazine Antiques, January 1931
Early Rhode Island Pottery Article
Upton Brothers - East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Circa 1771-1783
Figure 1
Objects Reportedly Made by the Upton Brothers in East Greenwich, RI
All Decorated with a Green Glaze
All Objects Owned by Charles D. Cook - Cape Cod
See Article for More Information
Reportedly Circa 1771-1783
(Second Left) Sold at Skinner's in Boston in 2003
Photo Courtesy: Magazine Antiques, January 1931
Figure 2
Said to be Products Made in Rhode Island
All Decorated with a Green Glaze
However, these Objects Appear Like Styles Made Elsewhere
All Objects Owned by Charles D. Cook - Cape Cod
See Article for More Information
(Left) Appears Like a Late-18th or Early-19th Century Jug from SE Mass.
(Middle) Appears Like a Late-18th or Early-19th Century Pitcher from SE Mass.
Sold at Skinner's in Boston in 2003
(Right) Appears Like a Northern New England Jug
Photo Courtesy: Magazine Antiques, January 1931
Early Rhode Island Pottery Article
Joseph Wilson - Providence, Rhode Island
Circa 1767-1770
Figure 3
18th Century Red Earthenware Jug Decorated with an Olive Green Glaze and Orange Mottling
Attributed to Joseph Wilson in Providence, RI
A Similar Form was Also Made in Essex County, Mass. (See Below)
Owned by Charles D. Cook - Cape Cod
See Article for More Information
Reportedly Circa 1767-1770
18th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Essex County, Mass.
This Form is Similar to the Object Described by Cook that is Attributed to Joseph Wilson
Circa 1760-1790
Stands 8 1/2" Tall
Ex-Lewis Scranton Collection - Killingworth, CT
Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton Collection - Killingworth, CT
View of the Handle
Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton Collection - Killingworth, CT
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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