18th Century Artifacts Recovered from a Trash Area in Yarmouth, Maine

It is not everyday that the combination of Westerwald, German stoneware; European delftware; Philadelphia red earthenware; Charlestown, Massachusetts red earthenware; Staffordshire, England slipware; English white salt-glazed stoneware, along with Chinese export porcelain, English scratch blue stoneware and possibly Italian faience are uncovered within the same archaeological context. Although, this is exactly what happened with this collection of artifacts when they were discovered in the 1990s by Gorham, Maine antiques dealer, Chris Havey within a trash pit that I have previously written about in Yarmouth, Maine.

It is especially exciting to see the Philadelphia and Charlestown examples since this is likely pottery that was shipped to Yarmouth in the eighteenth century.

It is well-documented today that the Charlestown potters shipped red earthenware all over coastal New England before 1775 to places like Connecticut, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine and even Canada. Although, it was also a similar situation with the potters in Philadelphia, who are known to have exported to Delaware, New York City and Albany, New York, among other locations, as well. But this is the first time that I have seen the combination of Charlestown and Philadelphia-style red earthenware recovered from the same archaeological context/site.

It certainly makes sense that Charlestown pottery was likely exported to the Yarmouth-area since the local industry did not materialize in North Yarmouth, Maine until the 1790s. However, it is somewhat surprising to see Philadelphia pottery in this context even though it was viewed as a superior product by many in America during this period.

Note: I have also shown pictures of a 1652 Oak Tree Shilling that was also found in this trash-area in Yarmouth, Maine; wheras, two of the sides have been cut, which is likely the result of a previous owner, who was trying to save some silver scrapings in the seventeenth century.

Pottery Sherds Recovered in Yarmouth, ME

1) 18th Century Westerwald, German Stoneware

2) 18th Century European Delftware

3) 18th Century Philadelphia-Style Red Earthenware

4) 18th Century Charlestown, Mass. Red Earthenare

5) 18th Century Staffordshire, England Slipware

6) 18th Century English White Salt-Glazed Stoneware

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey - Gorham, ME

Another View of the Artifacts

Recovered from Trash Area in Yarmouth, ME

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey - Gorham, ME

1652 Oak Tree Shilling Found in Yarmouth, ME

1652 Oak Tree Shilling Recovered in Yarmouth, ME

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey - Gorham, ME

Another View of the Coin

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey - Gorham, ME

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