EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A 19th Century Red Earthenware Barrel Formed Bank that Retains a Remarkable Massachusetts History

Saturday, October 15, 2022

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Barrel Formed Bank that Retains a Remarkable Massachusetts History

Every now and again, I see late nineteenth century painted barrel-shaped red earthenware banks or money boxes that I find difficult to say where they were made. I know some were made at the Lamson Pottery in Exeter, New Hampshire, as well as other areas, including Pennsylvania; however, I have never seen one like this before, perhaps a one-of-a-kind type object today.

This barrel shaped bank was just found in the Boston area and it retains its original red and gold paint. I also shined a flashlight through the money slot and this example may have been hand-thrown. But what surprised me about this piece is the paper label that it retains, reading, "The Jug Fund / To Furnish Company Rooms in the New Armory / Company M / Eighth Regiment, M.V.M." The paper also appears to be signed in ink by “George Campbell." And based on this history - I’m wondering if this bank was made in either Beverly or Peabody, Mass.

The 8th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was a peacetime regiment of infantry that was activated for federal service in the Union Army for three separate tours during the American Civil War. The regiment consisted almost entirely of companies from Essex County, Massachusetts.

The unit was one of four Massachusetts militia regiments to respond to Abraham Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteer troops after the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 15, 1861. Three companies of the 8th Massachusetts earned the distinction of being the first troops to report to Boston, arriving less than a day after the call. During their first "90 days" term, the regiment mainly served garrison duty in the vicinity of Elkridge, Maryland, repairing and guarding the railroad line between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Shortly after arriving in Maryland, the regiment briefly occupied the United States Naval Academy, securing that installation and the USS Constitution, both of which were believed to be in danger of capture by Confederate troops. The regiment was again activated in September 1862 for a term of nine months. The 8th Massachusetts was stationed in New Bern, North Carolina, participated in several expeditions and saw minor skirmishing. The regiment responded to a third call for an enlistment of 100 days in July 1864. During their final term of service, the 8th Massachusetts served garrison duty in and around Baltimore.

Note: I have also included information that Robert Girouard sent to me about George Campbell that was published in the book, Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, And Marines In The Civil War.

19th Century Red Earthenware Barrel Formed Bank