Early-17th Century Red Earthenware Recovered from Martin's Hundred Site in Virginia

These are two seventeenth century red earthenware objects that I was thrilled to see a few weeks ago with my nephew Jason, while we visited Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. I have written about red earthenware made in Charlestown, Massachusetts around the mid-1600s, as well as wares made in Manhattan (New York City) in the 1600s, but this is by far the earliest domestic production I have encountered in my studies.

In the 1970s, Martin's Hundred, a seventeenth century plantation located along the north side of the James River and east of Jamestown in Virginia was excavated by acclaimed archaeologist Ivor Noel Hume (1927-2017). The site was the location of the first permanent English settlement in America, and named after Sir Richard Martin (1534-1617), a goldsmith and master of the mint who also served as sheriff and Mayor of London; the "hundred" referred to the tract of land on which 100 families could live.

Martin's Hundred was home to about 140 settlers from 1618 until about 1622, and a number of the settlers were killed in March of 1622, when the settlement was attacked by Native Americans. Those who survived temporarily relocated, but many returned sometime around 1625.

According to Colonial Williamsburg, "Utilitarian vessels were produced in small quantities at many seventeenth century Chesapeake sites. Most were modeled on contemporary British forms. The following colander and chamber pot were found at the site of Wolstenholme Town, which was established about 1618 in Martin's Hundred in James City County, Virginia. These objects may represent the work of potter Thomas Ward, who arrived there in 1621. While the site of his kiln has not been found, physical evidence confirms that a potter worked on the property.

These objects represent the basic wares that were used daily at all levels of Virginia society in the early-seventeenth century. Few examples survive intact: with little ornament and no sentimental value, they were simply used up and discarded."

Red Earthenware Recovered from Martin's Hundred Site in Virginia

17th Century Red Earthenware Colander

Excavated from Martin's Hundred Site in Virginia

Possibly Made by Thomas Ward

Circa 1620-1640

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

Information Displayed with the Colander

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

17th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot

Excavated from Martin's Hundred Site in Virginia

Possibly Made by Thomas Ward

Circa 1620-1640

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

Information Displayed with the Chamber Pot

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

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