While I was researching the book I wrote, The Dawn of Independence, the Death of an Industry: The Pottery of Charlestown, Massachusetts - I studied an account book kept by James Russell (1715-1798) in Charlestown, circa 1747-1754. The book is owned by the Baker Library at Harvard University, and it contains receipts related to shipment or delivery of commodities like flour, lumber and earthenware, construction of a warehouse on Long Wharf in Charlestown and shipbuilding in Medford, Massachusetts. Among the names cited in the book are Caleb Dana, Henry Atkins, Michael Bridgen, John Frothingham, Timothy Goodwin, Isaac Rand and Graces Eades.
The earthenware is what piqued my interest, seeing that is what the book I wrote is about; however, I could not find any reference in the account book proving that this was locally or American made earthenware. And none of the names in the book appeared to be known Charlestown potters. Nevertheless though, this is certainly an interesting account book that can be read online. Posted below is one of the pages from the book.
Furthermore, Historic New England and the Boston Public Library also own collections of documents related to James Russell, where the museum describes him as a major shipper with ships doing business in Lisbon, Portugal, and as far as St. Kitts and Suriname. According to Historic New England, "Russell was an enterprising merchant, he served as treasurer of Middlesex County and a proprietor of the Charles River Bridge. He represented Charlestown in His Majesty's Council for thirteen years beginning in 1746. In 1771, he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Russell was the benefactor chiefly responsible for the creation of the Lincoln Poor House in 1786, and in Charlestown he gave up the land upon which the Bunker Hill Monument was later erected."
James Russell's 1747-1754 Account Book at the Baker Library at Harvard University
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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