The artifacts and archival documents indicated the house was occupied from the late eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century on Maysville Road near Paris, Kentucky. The original owner was Thomas Champ (1728-1808) who died in 1808.
Mary Champ, Thomas' daughter lived in the house until at least 1827, when she sold the property to her brother Robert Champ.
Initially, researchers believed this site was the location of Thomas Champ's Inn, which was shown on a historic map. However, additional research suggested that the inn was actually located on another site.
The archaeological and archival research indicated that Thomas Champ, the original owner, was a successful farmer. After his death, the farm was divided among his heirs. Mary Champ lived on 25 acres and data suggests that her economic status declined. Robert Champ's son, (another) Thomas Champ expanded the farm and built a brick federal style house, which compares to other houses in north-central Kentucky (and this house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003)."
Generally speaking, I feel that the utilitarian wares utilized in Kentucky during this period are largely acknowledged today by the region's stoneware production. However, it was fascinating to read in this archaeology report that a group of red earthenware forms were recovered at this site within an early-nineteenth century context, such as the remains of a bottle, a plate or bowl and a handled object. Some of the sherds were even decorated with wavy banded incised decoration, a style of decoration that was also popular with red earthenware potters in neighboring Virginia and Tennessee.
Nevertheless, the archaeology report indicates that red earthenware production in Kentucky was no different than most other locations in America, whereas, its production was eventually superseded by the manufacture of domestic stoneware: "Red earthenware was manufactured in Kentucky in the 1800s and continued to be commonly used until about the mid-1800s, when it was largely replaced by stoneware.
The remains of red earthenware and stoneware numbered 1,506 of the ceramic assemblage at this site, where 97.9% of that or 1,474 sherds were red earthenware. The sherds were largely decorated with a clear lead glaze. But there were other types of decorations represented in smaller amounts, such as green glazes, black glazes, brown glazes, and a few sherds decorated with slip."
There are a variety of variables that should be considered when attempting to interpret why red earthenware versus stoneware is found at any given site, such as availability, need, household use and cost. But it certainly appears that the archaeology of this site suggests that red earthenware was the dominant household ware for Thomas Champ and his family in north-central Kentucky in the late-1700s into the nineteenth century.
Note: Here is a link to the archaeology report, 'Phase III: Archaeological Investigation of Site 15BB137 in Bourbon County, Kentucky,' which was printed in 2013 and revised in 2015. Here is also a link to a circa 1795 red earthenware tea canister from Kentucky that Crocker Farm sold in Sparks, Maryland in October 2016. You should be able to notice that the tea canister's glaze color closely resembles some of the glazes on the sherds posted below.
Sample of Red Earthenware Recovered in Bourbon County, KY
Sample of Red Earthenware Artifacts Recovered in Bourbon County, KY
Uncovered at the Site of Thomas Champ's House Near Paris, KY
Circa Late-18th to Early-19th Century Site
The Red Earthenware Likely Dates from the Early-19th Century
The Presence of Red Earthenware Largely Outnumbered Any Stoneware Artifacts
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Sample of Stoneware Artifacts Recovered in Bourbon County, KY
Uncovered at the Site of Thomas Champ's House Near Paris, KY
Circa Late-18th to Early-19th Century Site
The Stoneware Likely Dates from the Early-19th Century
The Presence of Any Stoneware was Largely Outnumbered by Red Earthenware Artifacts
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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