An 18th Century Potter's Daybook from Weston, Massachusetts that is Owned by Harvard University Today

A few years ago, I studied Abraham Hews' circa 1780-1794 potter's daybook at the Baker Library at Harvard University. This book is not referenced by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares;' although, Watkins does cite the importance of this potter's business. 

According to Watkins, "Abraham Hews (1741-1818) founded the pottery in Weston, Massachusetts in 1765. He was 24 years old when he began to make red earthenware. The founder of the business called himself 'potter' in the land records until 1796; thereafter he retired to farming." His son Abraham, born in 1766 (d. 1854), then took over the management. 

For one hundred years the successive generations of the family carried on their trade in the original potter's building. About the time of the Civil War a new shop was built on the other side of the Post Road, where it joins the present highway. 

In 1871 this shop in turn was abandoned, and the whole manufacture moved to its present site in North Cambridge, Massachusetts. The firm name A.H. Hews was then adopted."

The daybook reveals that Abraham Hews was definitely an active potter circa 1780-1794 with dozens of customers, who purchased anywhere from a single item of pottery, as well as customers, who seemed to have purchased wholesale orders. But it is also interesting to note that Hews was also selling beans, potatoes and wheat, which seems to suggest that he was also an active farmer. There are even a few references to Hews loaning (renting?) his horse; for example, he had loaned his horse to Mr. David Brackett in 1793 in order to travel twelve miles to Framingham, Massachusetts.

It is also documented in 1793 that Hews was selling shingles and nails; I am curious to know if these were red earthenware shingles or if they were wooden shingles. But there are a number of references in 1793, where he was selling shingles.

Nevertheless, the pottery is mostly described by Hews in his daybook as either "earthenware" or "ware." He does not really specify the type of pottery that he was selling until 1794 when he wrote that he had sold "Levi Dakin 1/2 dozen milk pans and one platter." I find the platter reference especially intriguing since there are not a lot of known platters associated with Massachusetts potters during this period.

It also does not appear that Hews was selling pottery anywhere, but where he lived in the immediate area west of Boston. It does not seem that he had any extensive export opportunities with his company, which is contradictory to how this business would appear in the late nineteenth-century. It seems that his customers were mostly located in the communities near Weston and Framingham.

Here is a list of the Hews family members, who are responsible for managing the Hews Pottery in both Weston and North Cambridge, Massachusetts:

Hews Pottery Family

1) Abraham Hews (Weston, MA) 1741-1818

2) Abraham Hews – son of Abraham (Weston, MA) – 1766-1854

3) Abraham Hews Jr – son of Abrahm II (Weston, MA) – 1797-1868
4) Horatio Hews – son of Abraham II (Weston & North Cambridge, MA) – 1810-1891

Note: I have shown a few pages from Abraham Hews' potter's daybook; however, I have also shown four examples of red earthenware that were attributed to the Hews Pottery in Weston, Massachusetts by Lura Woodside Watkins, which are owned by the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. today. These objects are also published in Figure 65 in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares.'

Abraham Hews' 18th Century Potter's Daybook - Weston, Mass.

Abraham Hews' Circa 1780-1794 Potter's Daybook - Weston, Mass.

Photo Courtesy: Baker Library - Harvard University

Page from Abraham Hews' Potter's Daybook

In 1794 Levi Dakin Bought 1/2 Doz. Milk Pans & 1 Platter

Photo Courtesy: Baker Library - Harvard University

Red Earthenware Attributed to the Hews Pottery in Weston, Mass.

 Red Earthenware Custard Cup Attributed to the Hews Pottery in Weston, MA

Stands 3" Tall

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

 View of the Interior

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

Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to the Hews Pottery in Weston, MA

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

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

View of the Handle

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

(Right) Red Earthenware Baking Cup Attributed to the Hews Pottery in Weston, MA

Stands 2" Tall

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

Red Earthenware Vase Attributed to the Hews Pottery in Weston, MA

Stands 5 1/2" Tall

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

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