A few weeks ago, I posted an article about earthenware manufactured by John Fritz at the Amana Colonies in Iowa, circa 1856-1900. But I had also mentioned an earthenware pitcher that was sold by Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in 2015 that was inscribed on the base, "JOHN FRITZ / 5TH R. SOMERSET ST. / PHIL."
It is still unclear what Fritz's involvement was with Philadelphia; although, I also wrote that there appears to be some confusion surrounding his production since I have seen his work attributed to both Iowa and Pennsylvania.
After I had posted that article, Iowa collector, Jeremy McLaughlin showed me a book that was published in 2014 titled, 'A History of the Des Moines Potteries, with Additional Information on Boonesboro, Carlisle, Hartford, and Palmyra' by Mark C. Wiseman. It is written in this book, "The potters (at the Ebenezer Society in upstate New York near Buffalo) made dinnerware and cookware for the community kitchens as well as containers for daily tasks. Pottery was produced in the shop until 1855 when the society moved to its present location in Amana, Iowa. No pottery shop opened at the Amana location because all men were needed to help build the new community.
New dinner ware or containers that were needed in Amana would be purchased from the outside. Both bone china and stoneware pottery was available through the general stores in each village.
Elizabeth Reitman Zuber, granddaughter of John Fritz recalls: 'John Fritz was my grandfather who married a daughter of Martin Shoup. He was Swiss; he originally was a silk weaver and then learned pottery as an apprentice with a master. He came over to the United States on a ship that took 45 days to cross the water. He lived in New York, where he learned of the Ebenezer Society and decided to join it.
In Ebenezer, he had a pottery shop. Children would come into the shop and get scraps of clay and pottery. A young lady by the name of Dina Shoup was told by Opa (Grandpa), You like nice dishes, I'll make you a pitcher. He made pitchers, tea pots, crocks, milk pots and flower pots, as well as other items.
He came to Amana in 1855 and was a builder of houses for a number of years. He was also associated with clay in the making of clay bricks. At the age of 60, Chrisian Metz (the community leader) again asked Opa to be a pottery maker. He was living in Middle Amana.
He had a pottery wheel, I think in the washhouse, where he made pottery. The local clay was not to good for pottery as it seemed to warp a great deal. However it worked well for the making of flower pots. He made many of them. The clay came out of the backyard where he lived. I think he had an oven at this home that was heated by wood. He may have fired some of the pottery in the clay brick kilns.'"
This information still does not explain the pitcher that Crocker Farm sold in 2015, which was inscribed by Fritz; although, it certainly does prove Fritz's involvement in Iowa in the 1800's.
Note: Here is a link to the original article, which I posted last month about John Fritz.
Mug Inscribed "JOHN FRITZ / 5TH R. SOMERSET ST. / PHIL"
19th Century Earthenware Mug Attributed to John Fritz
Mug is Decorated with a Tree Branch Handle, Oak Leaves and Acorns
The Base is Inscribed "JOHN FRITZ / 5TH R. SOMERSET ST. / PHIL"
Circa 1890
Stands 4 1/2" Tall
Here is a Link to the Auction Listing from 2015
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD
View of the Inscribed Base
It Reads, "JOHN FRITZ / 5TH R. SOMERSET ST. / PHIL"
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD
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