I recently learned about this nineteenth century red earthenware crock that has been owned for about twenty years by Oregonia, Ohio potter Greg Shooner, which is decorated on the exterior and interior with a wonderful vibrant cream and raspberry colored glaze. The form may have been somewhat inspired after stoneware production during the period, and the style of this glaze is also probably most prevalent today with surviving wares associated with the Western New York and Ontario, Canada region, circa 1820-1880. Although, the aspect about this object that is most interesting is the fact that the base is inscribed with the name "Hartough."
I have been trying to determine more information about this extremely rare marked object over the last month or so; however, I have not found much information. My feeling is that this piece was most likely manufactured somewhere in either Western New York or Ontario, but I have not found any evidence of a potter working in this area with this last name. But I have handled a couple unmarked similar formed pieces thought to have been manufactured in the Western New York and Ontario area.
Interestingly, according to Ancestry.com, "The Hartough family name was found in the U.S.A., Canada and Scotland between 1840 and 1920, with the largest number of families bearing this last name in America about 1880. And among the states where a number of Hartough family members lived in the 1800s was New Jersey."
Furthermore, the Scottish-American immigrant connection in the nineteenth century can also be found with at least one migrant potter named William Lyle, who may have worked in New Jersey when he first arrived to America, although he is most known today for his work in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, circa 1875-1892. In fact, this crock signed "Hartough" may be further evidence of another Scottish potter involved with this wave of skilled migrants in the 1800s, or perhaps it may also share a connection to craftsman of a Scottish heritage born in America during the same period.
However, the name Hartough is also found on some circa 1875-1890 New York City stoneware, such as a rare jar that Crocker Farm sold in Sparks, Maryland in 2015, stamped "W.B. HARTOUGH / CHINA GLASS CROCKERY / AND EARTHENWARE / C33 MYRTLE AVE / BROOKLYN." Records indicate that Sergeant Walter B. Hartough (b. 1839) was born in Brooklyn on February 26, 1839 and was a veteran of the American Civil War. His father Henry J. Hartough (1810-1880) was born just outside of New York City in Somerset, New Jersey in 1810, whereas his mother Sarah (Hartough) Stoothoof (1815-1850) was born in New York City in 1815.
Nevertheless, it would be great to learn more about this object if anyone reading this post is able to provide any additional information, whether this name potentially represents a pottery business owner, apprentice or journeyman potter.
An Inscribed Red Earthenware Crock Most Likely From Western New York or Ontario
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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