Remarkable Examples of Slip-Script Just Recovered from a Privy on Staten Island in New York City

Last fall, a feature story I wrote titled The Red Earthenware Available in the 18th and 19th Centuries in New York City was published in the October 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest. The story included some terrific examples of nineteenth century slip-script red earthenware found in various contexts throughout New York City, most of which had been imported from River Edge, New Jersey, Long Island and Norwalk, Connecticut. But the story also illustrated some great pieces of archaeology, representing locally made pottery in the eighteenth century.

I recently learned about these two incredible nineteenth century slip-script dishes that were just recovered from a privy by Scott Jordan, Maribelle Costes and Dan McGee within a circa 1835-45 context on Staten Island in New York City. The script on both of these objects is incredibly rare: the first reading "Earthen Ware Here," suggesting that it was probably an advertising piece, and the second reads "Good Morning Ladies." 

I cannot recall having ever seen either of these inscriptions before, and they likely represent the type of production that was shipped from River Edge, New Jersey and Huntington, Long Island to New York City in the 1800s.

Interestingly, the "Earthen Ware Here" dish really piques my interesting, seeing that it was highly unlikely not made on Staten Island, and it may have been an object used by a merchant to sell wares. This may have been a special order piece that a merchant had requested from the pottery business, which was then hung in a storefront window, proclaiming to prospective clients the type of wares that were sold inside the store. This is really a great piece of Staten Island history.

The plate inscribed "Good Morning Ladies" may have been made by John Betts Gregory (1782-1842) in Huntington, Long Island, who was also employed in Norwalk, Connecticut and Clinton, New York.

Slip-Script Red Earthenware Recovered on Staten Island in NYC

 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Dish

Inscribed "Earthen Ware Here"

Likely Made in River Edge, NJ or Huntington, Long Island

Recovered from a Circa 1835-45 Context on Staten Island in NYC

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Scott Jordan, Maribelle Costes and Dan McGee

 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Dish

Inscribed "Good Morning Ladies"

Possibly Made by John Betts Gregory in Huntington, Long Island

Recovered from a Circa 1835-45 Context on Staten Island in NYC

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Scott Jordan, Maribelle Costes and Dan McGee

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