EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Found Along the Indiana Border in Western Ohio

Saturday, January 12, 2019

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Found Along the Indiana Border in Western Ohio

According to The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana, "Once Indiana became a state on December 11, 1816 and land was affordable, thousands of people migrated to Indiana. Some came by themselves while others came together in large groups. Some of these new Hoosiers were looking for a promising new start in a new land.

Most the early settlers to Indiana settled in the southern part of the state. However, by the mid-1800s settlers were buying and settling on the fertile soil of the northern part of Indiana. This led to a new state capital in 1825, where Indianapolis was chosen based on its central location in the state."

As a result of Indiana's sudden growth in population in the nineteenth century, came a demand for simple household wares and necessities. A number of these wares were imported from areas elsewhere in America, as well as Europe, but there was also an opportunity for local production.

Indiana was centrally located between Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio, all of which sustained red earthenware and stoneware businesses that could have shipped wares to various locations in the state. Indiana also had access to the Ohio River, which connected to the Mississippi River, providing a great deal of opportunity for trade, exports and imports. But Indiana also employed its own pottery businesses, much of which have received very little attention in publication.

For instance, this small red earthenware jug recently sold on eBay; it caught my attention because it was sold out of Rochester, Indiana, an area that is known to have produced red earthenware in the 1800s. Although, I asked the seller if they knew anything about the history of this piece, and their reply was interesting: "This jug was just discovered near the Indiana border from a 92 year old man's estate in Western Ohio."

Now I do not have indisputable proof to share, showing how this jug was made in Indiana in the nineteenth century. But considering its context of ownership, and its close proximity to the Indiana border - I would not be surprised to learn if this is in fact a jug made at a pottery in Indiana in the 1800s.

But I would also like to add that I would not be surprised to hear about Indiana red earthenware being mistaken for production from elsewhere today, seeing that not a lot is known about its production from outside areas.

Red Earthenware Jug Found in Western Ohio