An Exciting 18th Century Red Earthenware Object that was Uncovered in North Branford, Connecticut

According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, "Archaeological studies were undertaken as part of a Connecticut Department of Transportation project of improving the intersection of State Route 22 and Village Street in North Branford, Connecticut. The Phase II archaeological investigation determined that the site was a significant archaeological resource eligible for the National Register, but because there were no prudent or feasible alternatives to avoiding the site construction impacts were mitigated through a Phase III Data Recovery Program. Site 99-31 on the southeast corner of Route 22 and Village Street, represents the circa 1737 homestead remains of Samuel Goodsell and his family.

After Samuel's death in 1751, his widow Lydia lived at the homestead with her unmarried daughter Martha until the 1790s.

The Goodsells were Yeomen farmers who practiced a diversified and mixed agricultural and craft production household economy. 

The excavations identified ten features, including two cellars (associated with the 'Old House' and the 'New House' mentioned in Samuel Goodsell's 1752 probate inventory), a chimney base and a possible food storage pit. A long linear midden was identified along the east side of the houses."

A few days ago, I wrote about John Parker's circa 1747-1761 potter's daybook from Charlestown, Massachusetts, which is owned by the Baker Library at Harvard University today. The history that this book preserves is amazing - Parker indicates that wholesale orders of Charlestown-made red earthenware were shipped to Massachusetts merchants in Roxbury, Milford, Duxbury, Norwich, Marblehead, Malden, Nantucket, Barnstable and Harwich. Although, there was also an order of red earthenware purchased by Mr. Griffith from Killingworth, Connecticut on August 19, 1747, as well as multiple orders of red earthenware placed in May and July 1751 by Mr. Daniel Gray, who was also from Killingworth, Connecticut.

John Parker's Potter's Daybook

 Wholesale Order of Earthen Ware that was Shipped to Killingworth, CT

 This Order was Placed at the Parker Pottery on August 19, 1747

Photo Courtesy: Baker Library - Harvard University

Wholesale Orders of Earthen Ware that were Shipped to Killingworth, CT

 These Orders were Placed at the Parker Pottery in May and July 1751

Photo Courtesy: Baker Library - Harvard University

Potentially, this is where today's article becomes exciting - the distance between North Branford, Connecticut and Killingworth, Connecticut is only twelve miles. There was an eighteenth-century slip-decorated red earthenware pan recovered within a mid-eighteenth century archaeology context at the Goodsell Site, which appears to have been produced in Charlestown. The style of the slip is similar to various objects that are attributed to the Parker Pottery, which were recovered in Charlestown during the archaeology of Boston's Big Dig Project in the 1980s.

Slip-Decorated Pan Recovered in North Branford, CT

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Recovered within a Mid 18th Century Context at the Goodsell Site in North Branford, CT

The Slip is Similar to Styles that were Produced in Charlestown, Mass.

It is Documented that Charlestown Pottery was Shipped Near North Brandford in 1747 & 1751

Photo Courtesy: Connecticut Department of Transportation

Porringer Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Porringer Made in Charlestown, Mass.

Recovered from a Privy at the Three Cranes Tavern in Charlestown, Mass.

Likely Made at the Parker Pottery in Charlestown, Mass.

Circa 1720-1750 Archaeological Context

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

Note: For more information about the production of red earthenware and stoneware in Charlestown, Massachusetts before the American Revolution - I suggest these articles, which I have posted in the last week.

1) Charlestown: New England's Potter's Industry, Circa 1635-1775

2) The Stoneware Made in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Circa 1741-1745

3) An Important Red Earthenware Potter's Daybook, Circa 1747-1761

4) A Stoneware Handle Recovered in a Mid 18th Century Context

5) An Unusual 18th Century Stoneware Cup

6) The 17th & 18th Century Brick Maker's Industry in Charlestown and Medford

7) An Important Stoneware Saggar Recovered in Charlestown

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...