The 19th Century Western New York "Farmer" and Red Earthenware "Potter" Listed in Census Records

While working on my forthcoming two-volume New York book, which predominantly focuses on red earthenware made in Western New York, although it does mention production in other parts of the state, I noticed that many of the Western New York potters cite their primary occupation as "farmer" as opposed to "potter" in census records. This likely indicates that many of the potters had multiple sources of incomes, which is certainly not an anomaly for any potter working in America in the 1800s. 

For instance, I even found that Alvin Wilcox (1801-1862) stated that his occupation was a "wine seller" in the 1860 census in West Bloomfield, New York, whereas Wilcox was also a grape grower and often contributed articles on the subject to the publication Moore's Rural New Yorker. 

Interestingly, though, I also found that Lorenzo Johnson regularly stated that his primary occupation was a "farmer" in census records in Newstead, New York, but this changed in 1880, where he is cited as a "potter." I suspect this was about the time that he acquired the Suess family pottery in neighboring Mill Grove, New York, and as a result, he became a full-time potter owning two different businesses located a short distance from each other.

Lorenzo Johnson Listed as a"Farmer" and "Potter" in Census Records

19th Century Red Earthenware Crock

Made by Lorenzo Johnson in Western New York

Stamped "L. Johnson"

Circa 1850s-1880s

Stands 12 7/8" Tall

Johnson Owned Businesses in Both Newstead and Mill Grove in New York

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

Lorenzo Johnson is Listed as a "Farmer" in the 1870 Census in Newstead, New York

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Lorenzo Johnson is Listed as a "Potter" in the 1880 Census in Newstead, New York

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