The label reads, in part, "J.H. SPEAR. / Purchased by John Colender 1804 / Presented By / Mrs. (remainder is illegible)." The auctioneer also reports that a "John Colender" is listed as a resident of Burlington, Vermont in the 1800 census.
However, I assume this label may be from an old collector or even descended in a family instead of a nineteenth century merchant. I could certainly be wrong as I have heard this label previously described as a merchant tag. But the date "1804" may or may not be a little too early for such an object to have been manufactured in this section of Vermont.
Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins wrote in 1950 in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' that red earthenware production began about 1812 when Caleb Farrar settled in Middlebury. "He was born in Ipswich, New Hampshire and was 32 years old when he started in Middlebury the pottery that he (and his son, Edwin William Farrar) ran for so many years. I (Watkins) have read various statements about the types of ware made at Middlebury. At first, and probably throughout Caleb Farrar's tenure, it was merely a redware pottery."
Nonetheless, Watkins also cites another local red earthenware pottery, which may have operated before 1812, but it does not appear that any scholarship about this production has been published since 1950. "A smaller potshop in East Middlebury has not hitherto been noted. It was run by a man named Carpenter, and stood on the north side of the road through East Middlebury opposite a white schoolhouse. A pitcher that was undoubtedly made in this pottery has a yellow-green glaze."
With that said - this is really an excellent example of Vermont-made red earthenware from the 1800s - which has gained some notoriety in recent years. It's a jug that I would almost consider legendary since I have heard so much about it without ever having seen it until this auction.
Further research may reveal more information about the lives of "J.H. Spear" and "John Colender." The names attached to this jug may also provide a fascinating early-context of ownership. It would be great to hear more information about either of these individuals, if anyone reading this article can provide that material.
Note: I have posted four additional nineteenth century red earthenware objects, some of which are attributed to Vermont that also sold today at Duane Merrill and Company in Williston, Vermont.
Vermont Red Earthenware Jug
19th Century Red Earthenware Jug
Reportedly Made in East Middlebury, VT
Stands Only 4 1/2" Tall
Sold: $4,750 (Without Buyer's Premium)
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
Another View of the Jug
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Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
Additional Red Earthenware
19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Vermont
Circa 1790-1830/40
Stands 9 1/2" Tall
Reverse Side was Drilled for a Lamp Cord in the 20th Century
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of the Interior
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Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of the Base
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Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Vermont
Circa 1790-1830/40
Stands 9 3/4" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of One Handle
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Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of the Base
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly Attributed to Vermont
Circa 1790-1830/40
Stands 8 1/2" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of the Interior
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of the Base
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly Attributed to Vermont
Otherwise, Likely from Western New York or Ontario
Circa 1790-1860
Stands 6 3/8" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of the Lid
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Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
View of the Base
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Duane Merrill and Company - Williston, VT
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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