On July 20, 2019, Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland sold a nineteenth century three-color slip decorated red earthenware jar, inscribed on the base, "Jacob Wareham / Frankstown Township / Huntingdon County / 1811." According to Crocker Farm, "This jar, over two-hundred years in age, is the earliest dated piece of pottery from this Pennsylvania potting region that we are aware of. It is significant in its rarity and age, offering a glimpse at the style of pottery produced locally well before the famous Henry Glazier began producing stoneware (about 1831). While rare and historically important, the jar also holds very strong decorative value in its appealing size and form and lavish use of three colors of slip."
Nonetheless, while going through the archives of ceramics specialists Garrison and Diana Stradling last summer in New York City, I saw pictures of a nineteenth century red earthenware puzzle jug that I believe is related to the jar that sold at Crocker Farm. The base of this jug is inscribed, "J. Wareham / Potter 1825."
This is possibly the same Jacob Wareham (b. 1785) who was born sometime around 1785 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania to John (1752-1808) and Christeena Wareham (1752-1818). It was probably about 1798 when Jacob moved to Frankstown Township, seeing that his parents are listed as residents there based on the U.S. Direct Tax Lists from that year, and Jacob is also listed as living there in the 1810 United States Federal Census. However, I cannot find any information that explains where Wareham learned the potter's craft, although his father was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania in 1752, while his mother was born in Baltimore, also in 1752.
Presumably, if Wareham had established a pottery business in Frankstown Township that exisited for some period of time then this is also perhaps where this puzzle jug was produced. I was also unsuccessful in finding any type of record of Jacob Wareham living in another city or town in Pennsylvania after 1810/1811.
Note: It appears the jar that sold at Crocker Farm previously sold in the collection of J. Jefferson and Anne Weiler Miller at Pook & Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania in 2015; the couple acquired the jar in 1972: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/rare-huntingdon-county-pennsylvania-redware-jar-dated-1811-signed-by-the-potter-194486.
Red Earthenware Made by "Jacob Wareham" in Pennsylvania
19th Century Red Earthenware Puzzle Jug Made in Pennsylvania
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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