A Number of Potters Working in West Bloomfield, New York in 1850 According to the Federal Census

It is noteworthy to mention that there was a group of potters employed in West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York in 1850, according to the United States Federal Census from that year. Some of the names of the potters are better known today as opposed to others, although it would seem that for whatever reason West Bloomfield was a destination for some potters to seek employment in the mid-1800s, whereas some of the potters had also migrated from Germany and New England. This may have been partially a result of Alvin Wilcox’s (1801-1862) newly established tile factory, but there may have been other reasons, too.

The names of the known potters include Edwin Prosser, George Prosser, Jefferson Hans, Edward Hans, Jacob Backenston, John Backenston, Fred Backenston, Alvin Wilcox, Ava Hulburt, Marvin Smith, James Ellsworth and John Jerorn. Although, this list may not include every potter seeing that I have found while working on my forthcoming two-volume 900 plus page New York book that some potters in Western New York listed their primary occupation in census records as “farmer,” as opposed to “potter,” likely indicating that they supplemented their yearly income as a farmer, while also producing pottery. In fact, Hervey Brooks (1779-1873) is well known for this type of income in Goshen, Connectiction, which is written about in detail in my sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area. 

Potters Working in West Bloomfield, New York in 1850

19th Century Red Earthenware Food Mold

Made at the Alvin Wilcox Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York

Impressed "W. Wilcox / West Bloomfield"

Circa 1830s-1850s

George R. Hamell Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Rochester Museum and Science Center

A View of the Mark

Impressed "W. Wilcox / West Bloomfield"

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Photo Courtesy: Rochester Museum and Science Center

West Bloomfield, N.Y. Potters Listed in the 1850 United States Federal Census

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