I have also found that some of the wares made by the Chase family resemble the skill and forms found with wares made by William Pecker (1758-1820) in Merrimacport during the circa 1790-1820 period - but this revelation should also not be a major surprise seeing that James Chase was Pecker's nephew, and also employed by Pecker for many years.
The Chase family pottery actually materialized under unfortunate circumstances in the early-1820s after Pecker died from a kiln collapse. After the family mourned, James Chase (1779-1849) eventually resumed production and established his own pottery, which seems to have operated until the late-1840s. Afterwards, James' son, Phineas Chase (1820-1911) who had worked with his father, established his own pottery in Merrimacport. I have also found that there are some inaccuracies previously published about Phineas and his pottery, such as earlier publications that state he died in 1860, which is completely false. He actually died in 1911 and operated a successful pottery for decades after 1860. Much like the James Chase Pottery, Phineas' business is largely unnoticed today even though there are plenty of surviving objects in existence.
Nevertheless, the following two examples of nineteenth century red earthenware are attributed to the Chase family and discovered by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) in Merrimacport, Massachusetts before 1950. These objects are now owned by the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. These pieces were also published in a feature story I wrote about the Chase family for the October 2014 edition of the New England Antiques Journal, entitled, Utilitarian Redware in Massachusetts: The Chase Family Pottery.
Interestingly, while recently studying a number of Essex County potteries in various eighteenth and nineteenth century newspapers, I found a brilliant advertisement declaring the James Chase Pottery for sale in the Newburyport Herald from Tuesday December 27th, 1853 (see below). I don't believe this information has been published in any type of scholarship since. The ad even describes a "pottery stand" utilized by the Chase family that was centrally located in Essex County, which reportedly gave the family a competitive advantage in selling their wares. This stand may have even been used by William Pecker.
"Valuable Real Estate for Sale.
The real estate belonging to the heirs of the late Deacon JAMES CHASE, potter, deceased, is now offered for sale on favorable terms, it consists of four different lots with the dwellings and other buildings thereon, being about one half an acre to each lot.
One of the lots is the old Homestead, and out-buildings in good repair and now renting for two families.
Another is the long noted POTTERY STAND, where much business has been done, and is now being done, it being centrally located with the surrounding towns of Haverhill, Bradford, Georgetown, the City of Newburyport and other Villages, having without competition a large and good run of custom.
The buildings are all in good order and well adapted to the business. A large two story shop with a cellar, a large barn and ware house, being used for a ware room, a stable and a carriage house. A Kiln house and a wood house in connexion, making a full and good set of buildings, and undoubtedly the best if not the only chance to purchase a valuable Pottery Stand in the state.
There are on each of the above lots, five or six ever bearing apple and pear trees, together with other trees and shrubs, having borne the present season about $100 worth of good frut.
In connexion with the above are two good 2 story dwelling houses nearly new and well finished, low renting for $90 each. The land belonging is well adapted to the raising of fruit there being a number of fast growing trees now on the land.
The above property is pleasantly located on the main road in the River Village of West Amesbury, in the immediate vicinity of steam and water power - the daily Express to Boston - the Post Office - and good church and school facilities.
The property can be purchased connectedly or separately, as desired.
For further information in regard to the property onquire of WILLIAM CHASE, near the premises."
Examples of Chase Family Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.
19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher
Attributed to the Chase Family in Merrimacport, Mass.
Possibly Made by James Chase
Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian
19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher
Attributed to the Chase Family in Merrimacport, Mass.
Possibly Made by James Chase
Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian
Daily Herald - February 6th, 1850
NOTICE is hereby given that the subscriber has been duly appointed administrator of the estate of JAMES CHASE, late of Amesbury, in the county of Essex, Potter, deceased, and has taken upon himself that trust by giving bonds, as the law directs: All persons having demands upon the estate of said deceased are required to exhibit the same; and all persons indebted to said estate are called upon to make payment to W.M. CHASE, Adm'r. Amesbury, Feb. 5th,. 1850.
Also Published On:
February 20, 1850
Advertisement for James Chase Published on February 6, 1850
See Article for More Information
Valuable Real Estate for Sale.
The real estate belonging to the heirs of the late Deacon JAMES CHASE, potter, deceased, is now offered for sale on favorable terms, it consists of four different lots with the dwellings and other buildings thereon, being about one half an acre to each lot.
One of the lots is the old Homestead, and out-buildings in good repair and now renting for two families.
Another is the long noted POTTERY STAND, where much business has been done, and is now being done, it being centrally located with the surrounding towns of Haverhill, Bradford, Georgetown, the City of Newburyport and other Villages, having without competition a large and good run of custom.
The buildings are all in good order and well adapted to the business. A large two story shop with a cellar, a large barn and ware house, being used for a ware room, a stable and a carriage house. A Kiln house and a wood house in connexion, making a full and good set of buildings, and undoubtedly the best if not the only chance to purchase a valuable Pottery Stand in the state.
There are on each of the above lots, five or six ever bearing apple and pear trees, together with other trees and shrubs, having borne the present season about $100 worth of good frut.
In connexion with the above are two good 2 story dwelling houses nearly new and well finished, low renting for $90 each. The land belonging is well adapted to the raising of fruit there being a number of fast growing trees now on the land.
The above property is pleasantly located on the main road in the River Village of West Amesbury, in the immediate vicinity of steam and water power - the daily Express to Boston - the Post Office - and good church and school facilities.
The property can be purchased connectedly or separately, as desired.
For further information in regard to the property onquire of WILLIAM CHASE, near the premises.
Also Published On:
February 3, 1854
February 21, 1854
March 17, 1854
Advertisement for James Chase Published on December 27, 1853
See Article for More Information
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
No comments:
Post a Comment