The 19th Century Red Earthenware Sold at the Osborn Pottery in Gonic,New Hampshire

According to an article written in 1931 by Frank H. Norton titled, 'The Osborn Pottery in Gonic, New Hampshire,' which was published in 'The Magazine Antiques,' "About 1839 Elijah Osborn moved to Gonic, New Hampshire (from Loudon, New Hampshire) with his son, James Osborn and perhaps another son, John C. Osborn. Presumably the father at once began a pottery, and, with the help of those two sons, carried on the work. Later, James and his brother, John continued the business as partners until about 1875, when they separated. Thereafter, James, with the help of his son, William P. Osborn, maintained the pottery until about 1885, when machine-made ware caused competition to become severe.

The Osborn family in Gonic made no effort to stimulate wide sales for their wares (it was a small country pottery). The only advertising attempted by the pottery was the dumping of broken scrap in the front yard to indicate to passers-by that a pottery was operating. Save for the few pieces sold on the spot, all of the red earthenware was taken in a wagon and distributed among general stores in the surrounding towns of Rochester, New Hampshire, Dover, New Hampshire, Farmington, New Hampshire, Somersworth, New Hampshire, Berwick, Maine and Barrington, New Hampshire. A medium-sized milk pan brought twenty cents; cups, ten cents; and large jars, forty or fifty cents each."

This information about the Osborn Pottery in Gonic, New Hampshire was obtained directly from the Osborn family before Frank H. Norton's article was published in 1931. I find the cost for certain objects fascinating. What was the definition of "pots" that cost forty or fifty cents each? What were the measurements of a "medium-sized" milk pan? What defined a "cup"?

I have visited a number of potter's sites throughout New England, and I have also studied many archaeology collections that were recovered at potter's sites; however, I have always found it fascinating to understand that the number of artifacts found at the potter's sites (those sites that I have studied) were predominantly dominated by partially glazed utilitarian objects. It seems (to me) that these type of pots were a large section of the production for red earthenware potters in New England in the 1700s and 1800s.

These type of pots are often overlooked today, as-a-result of their simple aesthetic value; however, the utilitarian nature of these objects served a major household need in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Potters obviously noticed this need, which helped drive the local potter's economy.

Interestingly, attributions to the Osborn Pottery are so caught up with the mistaken "Gonic-Glaze" today that this company's true identity is often overlooked. I posted an article last week that targeted the misguided use of the "Gonic-Glaze," and today I have shown a few old pictures of the old Osborn Pottery shed and kiln, as-well-as simple "pots" that were made in Gonic, circa 1839-1885.

Old Pottery Shed at the Osborn Pottery in Gonic, NH

Old Osborn Pottery Shed in Gonic, NH

Used for Pottery, Circa 1839-1885

Photo Courtesy: The Magazine Antiques, 1931

Drawing of the Osborn Pottery Kiln in Gonic, NH

Drawing of the Osborn Pottery Kiln in Gonic, NH

Circa 1839-1885

Photo Courtesy: The Magazine Antiques, 1931

Objects Made at the Osborn Pottery in Gonic, NH

(Left) 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made in Gonic, NH

Reportedly Used for Dripping Water on a Grindstone

Circa 1839-1885

Stands 12" Tall

(Middle) 19th Century Red Earthenware Mug Made in Gonic, NH

Circa 1839-1885

Stands 4" Tall

(Right) Potter's Wheel Used on Gonic, NH

Used Circa 1839-1885

Photo Courtesy: The Magazine Antiques, 1931

"Pots" Made at the Osborn Pottery in Gonic, NH

"Pots" Made at the Osborn Pottery in Gonic, NH

Photo Courtesy: The Magazine Antiques, 1931

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