Traditionally, these types of nineteenth century red earthenware jugs are attributed to the Norcross family pottery in Farmington, Maine today, whereas the company was operated by three successive family members: Josiah Norcross (1759-1828) who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as his son Matthias Norcross (1792-1868) and grandson Matthias Norcross, Jr. (1836-1880). Although, the oldest Matthias Norcross is thought to have been the most prominent of the group.
There was also a brother to Josiah, named Samuel Norcross, who had some involvement in the potter's trade, but not much is documented about what he may have produced. Furthermore, the business is one of the few that operated in Maine in the late-eighteenth century - and there was also a period that the family was producing red clay bricks in the nineteenth century.
Interestingly, it was written by Thomas Parker in a book published in 1846, titled, A History of Farmington, Me. from Its Settlement to 1846, that "...Asahel Wyman from Groton, Mass. set up the business on the farm since Mr. Quincy, prior to 1800, and continued it while he was able to attend to business. After him Jeremy Wyman his son set up the business on the west side of the River. He built the brick shop now occupied by M.S. Norcross for the pottery business, in 1810, where he continued until March 1814, when he died with the spotted or cold fever, being the second case in town." This information leads me to believe that the Norcross family may have operated multiple businesses simultaneously in Farmington.
Additionally, there is a lot yet to be learned about this company's production, however, what is known is that this unusual type of jug with an indent surrounding the middle-half of the body is a type of production that is accurately attributed to this family. The only other instance where I have seen something comparable to this shape is a small group of jars that were produced in Bristol County, Massachusetts, circa 1780-1830, all of which were published in my fourth book, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/
Nonetheless, these two jugs just sold this morning on eBay; I asked the seller where they came from and they told me that they were recently found together in Connecticut. I did not buy the jugs, although the first jug sold for $905 and the second jug sold for $520, plus any additional eBay fees.A Pair of 19th Century Maine Red Earthenware Jugs
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
2 comments:
The two on the bottom are Porter from Wiscasset
Thank you!
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