Red Earthenware Drain Tile that was Likely Made in Exeter, New Hampshire that was Found in the Basement of an 18th Century Home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

It has been almost two weeks now since I posted an article that focused on the production of nineteenth century red earthenware drain tile, which had been manufactured by George W. Wiggin in Exeter, New Hampshire. An example of Wiggin's production was also shown in that article that is owned today by the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, New Hampshire - interestingly, that example was also discovered in a field near Wiggin's business in Exeter.

Yesterday, I learned that an entire red earthenware drain tile system was found intact in the basement during the recent restoration of an eighteenth century house in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This house is owned today by antiques dealer, Hollis Brodrick, but it was also once owned by John Shilabur, who was listed as a Portsmouth potter in 1766. Shilabur is also known to have manufactured red earthenware with slip-decoration in similar styles to that seen in places like Newburyport, Massachusetts and Charlestown, Massachusetts during the period. I briefly discussed Shilabur's work in my latest published article in the April 2017 edition of the New England Antiques Journal.

The drain tile that was found in this house matches in form to what is seen with the tile that is attributed to Wiggin, which is owned by the New Hampshire Historical Society. Even better, one of the tiles from this house still retains its original copper lid.

However, based on the period that Wiggin was producing drain tiles, it should be expected that this drain tile system would have been installed into this house during the circa 1870-1890 period; although, I suspect that it was probably closer to 1870 with this property.

Red Earthenware Drain Tile System was Found in this House in Portsmouth, NH

18th Century Home in Portsmouth, NH

This House was Once Owned by John Shilabur, a Colonial Potter in Portsmouth, NH

A Circa 1870 Red Earthenware Drain Tile System was Found in the Basement of this House

The Drain Tile is Believed to have Been Made by George W. Wiggin in Exeter, NH

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

An Example of the Drain Tile

19th Century Red Earthenware Drain Tile with Original Copper Lid

Attributed to George W. Wiggin in Exeter, NH

Circa 1870-1890

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

Another View of the Drain Tile

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

Another View of the Drain Tile

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Copper Lid

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

Another View of the Copper Lid

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

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