To my knowledge, the most extensive material published about the Bickford Pottery was printed in 1950 in Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' and Manlif Lelyn Branin's book, 'The Early Potters and Potteries of Maine.' Watkins actually recovered some artifacts from the site of this business in the 1930s or 1940s, which are now kept at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
On the other hand, Branin's book was published in 1978 after a red earthenware exhibit had been displayed at the Maine State Museum. Some of the information that Branin published has been questioned in recent years, but it is documented in probate records that the Bickford Pottery was established in Buxton about 1826. James Bickford and his son, James Bickford, Jr., as well as eventually another son, Ebenezer Wentworth Bickford became owners of what would develop into an active potter's business; although, James Bickford, Jr. controlled ownership of the company for its longest period of existence.
In 1926, the book, 'The One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Buxton, Maine' was published. The Bickford Pottery was briefly examined in a chapter titled, 'Industries in the Town of Buxton.' Undoubtedly, this excerpt recaps some of the later production at the pottery, but nevertheless, it was written, "While on a fishing trip to a nearby brook, George E. Sawyer decided to look in at the pottery. He saw an old man. No doubt one of the Bickford boys, at work at the potter's wheel, moulding flowerpots. He also moulded a small jug and asked me which side to put the handle on, and as I was in doubt myself, he told me they usually put it on the outside. The pottery turned out milk pans, bean pots, bowls, and various other shaped dishes used in the housekeeping arts."
Branin also reportedly visited the site of the Bickford Pottery in 1971, but I believe the objects he characterized were likely from the latter years of production, as well, such as the wares manufactured during the circa 1850s-1870s. He described the pottery's trash pile and remains of the collapsed kiln. However, the undisturbed archaeological context suggest that the earliest years of production would have been on the bottom of the trash pile; whereas, Branin appears to have only observed the artifacts that remained on top.
But I have also inspected the site of the archaeology remains from this business, which were described by Branin - and, I witnessed sherds and wasters that illustrated a much broader range of skilled production, which included jugs, pitchers, pans, pots, inkwells, flowerpots, salts, and so on. I also saw at least two dozen sherds decorated with an extensive mixture of vibrant colored glazes. Some of the colors were even similar (if not exact) to the marbled manganese glazes that have been loosely attributed in recent decades to the Thomas Truxton Kendrick Pottery nearby in Hollis, Maine.
There were a variety of country potters located in this part of southern Maine in the 1800s, separated by only so many miles to the west of Portland, Maine, all of whom seem to have shared similar interests with the production of glaze colors. This is why attributing on glaze can be so risky today, especially when the attributed potter's business was surrounded by other company's, which operated with complementary business models. Archaeology is the only accurate means to interpret these potter's businesses in southern Maine, and identify what was actually made where.
In fact, not all of the potter's businesses in this part of the state are even recognized today, such as another Bickford Pottery that operated in nearby Limington, Maine. I have posted some of the archaeology, as well as an important object from this business also to the right column on this website under the category 'Limington, ME Archaeology.'
Regardless, the following nineteenth century red earthenware jug was published by Branin in 'The Early Potters and Potteries of Maine,' and reportedly descended through the Bickford family. The jug remains in that same ownership today.
This is the type of jug that is commonly attributed to the Bickford Pottery in Buxton - the attribution is usually based on the handle and finger impressions left on the handle terminal. This pottery is known for manufacturing multiple forms, which proves difficult to pinpoint just one style of jug, or pitcher, or flowerpot, et cetera to this pottery. But this method of production can likely also be connected to the rest of southern Maine's nineteenth century red earthenware industry.
However, the glaze on this jug is a type of glaze that is way too often attributed to New Hampshire today. I actually wish the New Hampshire attribution would disappear since archaeology has proven that this type of green glaze with orange or red spotted halos was just as commonly manufactured in Maine as it was in New Hampshire, Essex County, Massachusetts, and elsewhere in America.
Note: I have seen various objects attributed to specific Bickford family members in Buxton, Maine over the years. I am not sure how these attributions were accurately developed since there are no signed pieces known (to me), and the business is also recognized as employing traveling potters from outside of the Bickford family. Although, the archaeology that I mentioned posted to the right column on this website under 'Buxton, ME Archaeology' does reveal some fascinating inscribed artifacts.
Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Buxton, ME
19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Reportedly Made at the Bickford Pottery in Buxton, ME
Reportedly Descended through the Bickford Family in Maine
Published in 1978 in 'The Early Potters and Potteries of Maine'
Circa 1826-1880
Stands About 7" Tall
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Photo Courtesy: Private Maine Collection
Another View of the Jug
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Photo Courtesy: Private Maine Collection
View of the Handle
This is the Type of Handle that is Attributed Today to the Bickford Pottery in Buxton, ME
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Photo Courtesy: Private Maine Collection
Another View of the Handle
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Photo Courtesy: Private Maine Collection
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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