Abner S. Wight's Important Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Butter Churn Made in Marlborough, New Hampshire in 1847

Abner Smith Wight (1822-1905), a nineteenth century potter born in Dublin, New Hampshire, and  later employed in central Massachusetts, has been a subject of my research for the past few years. I have written a feature story about him that I hope to have published sometime in the next year or so, which highlights his production in Chesham Village in Marlborough, New Hampshire, as well as West Sterling, Massachusetts and Keene, New Hampshire. 

Abner learned the potters craft from his father, John Wight (1791-1874) who was previously employed in Jaffrey, New Hampshire before he relocated to Dublin. According to the book, History of the Town of Marlborough: Cheshire County, New Hampshire, published in 1881, "In the spring of 1845, Captain John Wight, erected what has since been known as the "Old Pottery" on the Dublin Road. He was succeeded by his son Abner who did a good business there for several years." Afterwards, Abner relocated to West Sterling, where he remained until the 1860s. 

This lead glazed red earthenware butter churn may be the most significant of Wight's known production today from New Hampshire, and was previously owned by Falmouth, Massachusetts antiques dealers, Hilary and Paulette Nolan. 

Inscribed around the churn is the information, "ABNER S. WIGHT EARTHENWARE MANUFACTURER MARLBORO, N.H. JUNE 23, 1847."

It appears that perhaps the date inscribed on this churn may have been about the time that Abner succeeded his father at the business in Marlborough, and this object may have been a commemorative piece celebrating that event. It may have also served as a display piece demonstrating the type of wares that were made at the Wight pottery in Chesham Village.

I would also like to add that Chesham is a term used in attribution today, but it may not be widely known what the term means. Chesham Village was a section of Dublin and Marlborough where a group of potters were employed in the nineteenth century, also commonly known back then as "Pottersville." Not only did this village employee a group of potters, but there were multiple businesses that produced similar types of lead glazed red earthenware. Much of the production was sold locally, and there may have even been a period when this area could have been viewed as a red earthenware industry. From my experience, I have found that some of the wares made in Chesham Village can be misinterpreted for production from elsewhere in New England today.

Abner S. Wight Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Butter Churn

19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Churn

Made by Abner S. Wight in Marlborough, NH

"ABNER S. WIGHT EARTHENWARE MANUFACTURER MARLBORO, N.H. JUNE 23, 1847"

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Photo Courtesy: Private Midwest Collection

View of Wight's Inscribed Name

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Photo Courtesy: Private Midwest Collection

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