An Important 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Decorated in Sgraffito from Long Island that Matches an Object Owned by Winterthur in Delaware

Gary Hammond, a museum specialist from the Nassau County Museum System, who lives on Long Island contacted me yesterday to tell me about some exciting information, which included the whereabouts of another important early-nineteenth century red earthenware jar that is from the same maker as is an important object that is owned today by Winterthur in Delaware. I had referenced Winterthur's jar last week in an article I wrote about a marbled red earthenware dish that was recovered on the eastern end of Long Island.

The museum's jar is inscribed on both sides in sgraffito; whereas, it is written on one side, "Mr. Silas Ruiment (sp?)  / Sag Harbor - Long-Island / Octr. 7, 1880;" the reverse side reads, "We know the right / And yet the wrong we do / We know the wrong / And yet the wrong pursue."

Incredibly, the jar that Gary told me about seems to have been made exactly one day before the jar that is owned by Winterthur; whereas, this jar is inscribed, "Captain Jonathan Terry / Oysterponds October 6, 1800."

Sag Harbor and Oysterponds are separated by only a few miles located on Long Island's eastern end, which is near Greenport, a village that employed an important potter's business as early as 1819 known as the Hempstead/Osborn Pottery.

It is written in the book, 'Useful Art: Long Island Pottery,' "The first documented pottery established on the East End was setup in the village of Greenport, beginning a family enterprise that lasted for nearly a half-century. Austin Hempstead and Samuel Osborn established a pottery works around 1819. The pottery, which was located on Sterling Lane, faced Sterling Harbor, the lesser of the two harbors in Greenport. In the same year, Hempstead and Osborn began to buy loads of clay from local beds in Arshamomoque. While the partnership continued in business into the 1830s, little information was found about the company. Sometime in that decade, Austin Hempstead also became the sole owner of the pottery.

In the late 1870s, the Hempstead family, as well as John and Philip Klipp operated separate potteries in Greenport. The Hempstead Pottery continued to produce red earthenware until the 1890s; in competition, the Klipp Pottery was also in business, but these businesses did not really last past 1900.

In 1981, an archaeological investigation of the Greenport pottery site was undertaken by archaeologists from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The archaeology team dug ten test holes designed to locate the pottery. These test holes revealed that remains of the pottery works had been destroyed by residential construction and shoreline extension. Despite these problems, the team excavated a substantial number of red earthenware rim sherds similar to a documented Hempstead flower pot."

Interestingly, the form of these jars are similar to a form that was also produced in Essex County, Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. The Samuel Osborn who worked with Austin Hempstead may also be the same 'Samuel Osborn' who was born in Peabody, Massachusetts, where he also learned the potter's craft at the Osborn Pottery. I have, yet to prove this association; although, the form is certainly fascinating that could possibly prove a New England influence found on Long Island red earthenware manufactured around the turn of the nineteenth century.

Note: I have found Johnathan Terry was born in Southold, Long Island in 1738 and he died, also in Southold at the age of 78 on October 30, 1816. He was the son of Jonathan Terry, who was born 1713/1714 in Oysterponds and he died, also in Oysterponds at the age of 61 on June 9, 1775. The elder Terry was reportedly a Revolutionary War soldier, but I have not determined if his death was related to the war.

Red Earthenware Jar Made October 6, 1800

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made on Long Island

Likely Retains Original Lid

Probably Made on Long Island

Inscribed in Sgraffito "Captain Jonathan Terry / Oysterponds October 6, 1800."

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Gary Hammond - Long Island

View of the Inscription

Inscribed in Sgraffito "Captain Jonathan Terry / Oysterponds October 6, 1800."

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Gary Hammond - Long Island

Red Earthenware Jar Made October 7, 1800

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made on Long Island

Probably Made on Long Island

Inscribed in Sgraffito "Mr. Silas Ruiment (sp?)  / Sag Harbor - Long-Island / Octr. 7, 1880"

 "We know the right / And yet the wrong we do / We know the wrong / And yet the wrong pursue."

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Winterthur - Wilmington, DE

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