19th Century Billhead from a Red Earthenware Manufacturer in Troy, New Hampshire

It was written when Melvin Ticknor Stone, MD.'s book, Historical Sketch of the Town of Troy, New Hampshire, and Her  Inhabitants From the First Settlement of the Territory Now Within the Limits of the Town in 1764-1897 was published in 1897, "About 1878, C.M. Silsby and Company made pottery at the north end in the old Whitcomb and Forristall pail shop, and a year or two later by W.G. and R.M. Silsby for a short time, and afterwards by Henry McCormac."

However, Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins expanded upon this information when Early New England Potters and Their Wares was published in 1950. "Elderly residents of Troy can remember two later concerns that were devoted to the decoration of red earthenware flowerpots. The first of these was started about 1875 by Charles Adelbert Farrar. He owned a brick shop diagonally across the road to the south from the railroad station. Flowerpots and jugs were the principal output.

The second pottery was carried on by C.M. Silsby and Company in the Old Whitcomb and Forristall pail shop at the north end of town. A year or two later after its establishment, the managers were W.G. and R.M. Silsby, who were soon succeeded by Frank A. Aldrich and then Henry McCormac. It is said that McCormac was a practical potter; the Silsbys were not. These potteries did not find the business profitable; their buildings fell into decay, and the manufacture was wholly abandoned before 1885."

Nevertheless, I've learned that the Silsbys involved with this business were brothers, who were probably also connected to the Silsby Tannery, which operated in Troy during this period. But the brothers also seem to have been involved with other local enterprises, as well.

This is a billhead I recently acquired issued by C.M. Silsby and Company; although it is clearly printed that the "company" likely referred to W.G. Silsby and R.M. Silsby who later acquired the business. This billhead also proves that the Silsbys were in business before 1878, since an order of red earthenware had been filled on October 5th, 1877.

I suspect the 1878 date that M.T. Ticknor, MD published in 1897 was probably recognized when the company first began advertising, in such publications as the 1878 New Hampshire Register, Farmer's Almanac and Business Directory. But the firm C.M. Silsby and Company may have been in operation a year or two before 1877, suggesting that the original ownership may have lasted for as many as five years. Unfortunately, I have never seen a piece of pottery that I thought could have been manufactured at either of the Silsby businesses.

C.M. Silsby and Company Billhead

19th Century C.M. Silsby and Company Billhead

"Manufacturers of Earthen Ware of All Kinds"

Dated October 5th, 1877

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