The Gleason Family Potteries in Morganville, New York and Paris, Ontario

This is a nineteenth century red earthenware jar from my personal collection, which was previously owned by a longtime collector in southeastern Michigan. Based on known styles and archaeological evidence, it is thought that this jar was likely made by the Gleason family at the Morganville Pottery in Morganville, New York, possibly in the 1840s or 1850s.

According to the Genesee Country Village and Museum, "Fortunatus Gleason, Jr., and his son, Charles Gleason, operated the Morganville Pottery in Stafford Township, Genesee County, New York, until about the time of the Civil War. By then, most of the rural red earthenware potteries had succumbed to competition from the larger stoneware factories, but the Morganville Pottery turned away from jugs and jars, concentrating on earthenware flowerpots and drain tiles for which there was sufficient demand. Through a succession of family related potters, the Morganville operation survived into the twentieth century.

Excavations at the Morganville site by the Rochester Museum and Science Center in 1973 uncovered the building's foundations as well as the floors of two kilns, one inside and one outside of the building. Also found were quantities of earthenware fragments which have helped to identify and document surviving examples or Morganville pottery."

Once the archaeological excavations were finalized in 1973, the site of the Morganville Pottery was then placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Site of the Gleason Family Pottery in Morganville, New York

Site of the Gleason Family Pottery in Morganville, New York

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Photo Courtesy: National Register of Historic Places

Furthermore, archaeologist, George Hammel wrote about this pottery in an archaeology report published in 1980 in Northeast Historical Archaeology, titled, Earthenwares and Salt-Glazed Stonewares of  the Rochester-Genesee Valley Region: An Overview: "It has been suggested that Charles Gleason took over the pottery operation in Morganville in 1845, when he purchased the lot, on which the pottery was later known to have been located, from his uncle, Wilson Gleason, then a resident of Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Wilson Gleason had acquired the lot in 1837 from Fortunatus Gleason, Jr., his brother and the father of Charles Gleason - and that Charles Gleason had begun the manufacture of earthenware by 1846 is now confirmed. 

It has been thought that Charles Gleason's father had established the pottery at Morganville in 1828-29. Fortunatus, Jr., like his brother Lyman, had moved to Morganville from the family home in New Hampshire. There is circumstantial evidence that there was a pottery in operation in Morganville at least by 1835. However, Charles cannot be identified in the documents as a potter before 1846, nor can his father before 1850. Recent information, however, provides circumstantial evidence for Lyman Gleason's possible involvement in the Morganville Pottery prior to 1846.

Lyman and his write, Priscilla, had moved to Morganville in 1827, and remained residents of the community through the 1830s, but by August 1840 they had become residents of Leroy, Genesee County. His occupation is unknown, although there is some suggestion in the deed records of his involvement in milling. However, by the late 1840s, Lyman and his wife had moved to Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada, where he established a pottery. According to the 1851 census, the pottery was "...new to this place" and the census taker went on to note "what the cause (is) I do not know, but the ware has not the finish on it that imported goods have." Gleason's Paris, Ontario pottery closed in 1857."

Interestingly, the Genesee Country Village and Museum owns a collection of wares made by the Gleason family, including two jars marked by Charles Gleason, which also match fragments recovered at the site of the pottery. The museum's collection spans everything from tablewares to flowerpots, and the museum's working pottery is even based on the footprint and plan for the Morganville site.

I would also like to note that the handles found on this jar are similar to some stoneware handles manufactured at the Paul Cushman Pottery in Albany, New York, such as a published jar owned by the Albany Museum of Art. Although, I do not believe there is any relationship.

Western New York Red Earthenware Jar

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Likely Made by the Gleason Family at the Morganville Pottery in Western New York

Likely Circa 1840s or 1850s

Stands 10 1/4" Tall

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View of One of the Handles

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Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...