Another Stoneware Connection Between New Jersey and Bristol County, Massachusetts, Along with a Possible "Marriage" Jug Owned by the Monmouth County Historical Association

In February of this year, I posted an article to this website, titled, An Important Signed 19th Century Stoneware Crock From Manasquan, New Jersey that Sold Tonight in Connecticut; that crock told the story of a potter named Asher Applegate who worked in Manasquan, Monmouth County, New Jersey. This is probably the same Asher Applegate (1809-1890) that is listed in census records as a potter working in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts in 1850 and 1860. Additionally, according to the Baker family history records of Taunton, "On July 1, 1859, Charles F. Baker (1837-1899) married Abby O. Applegate (1839-1893), daughter of Asher and Fannie Maria (Presbrey) Applegate. Asher Applegate came from New Jersey to Taunton and worked as a potter in the Phoenix Crucible Works." 

Interestingly, there may have been some sort of connection with stoneware production between New Jersey and Bristol County. Another stoneware potter, Abial Price (1802-1852) also worked in both locations, where he had previously worked in Matawan, New Jersey before arriving in Taunton. 

While recently doing some research about pottery made in Somerset, Bristol County, Massachusetts, I came across a potter by the name of Henry B. Parsell (1812-1886); census records have him working as a potter in both 1850 and 1855, where I suspect he was employed at the Somerset Pottery Works. However, there are conflicting reports in the census records as to his age and where he was born, although I suspect it is the same person. There were only about a dozen or so people working at the Somerset business in the 1850s so I doubt there were two people employed there with the exact same name.

Furthermore, I believe Parsell was born in New Jersey, and for whatever reason he left Somerset after only a few years of employment. It may have been a result of his first wife dying. I found a marriage record of what I believe is the same Parsell who is described as having lost his first wife and remarrying in Newark, New Jersey on September 28, 1857.

Henry B. Parsell, a Potter in Somerset, Mass.

Henry B. Parsell Employed as a "Potter" Somerset, Mass.

This is from the 1850 United States Federal Census

Reportedly Born in New York

See Article for More Information

Henry B. Parsell Employed as a "Potter" Somerset, Mass.

This is from the 1855 United States Federal Census

Reportedly Born in New Jersey

See Article for More Information

Nevertheless, I recently learned about this outstanding nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware jug, which by way potters is somewhat linked to the industry in Bristol County, although it was made in New Jersey. This jug was also stolen in 1987 from the Monmouth County Historical Association in Freehold, New Jersey, but it was recovered about six months later and returned to the museum.

The jug was made in Matawan in the late 1800s, an area that had a rich history of stoneware production under the guidance of such potters as Josiah Van Schoick, Jr. (1822-1898), James B. Van Schoick (1858-1935), Abial Price, Ezra Dunn (1821-1898) and William A. Lowe (1836 - 1906).

According to the historical society,  "The jug was made by William Lowe at Dunn, Dunlop & Company (successors to Van Schoick & Dunn), who came to Matawan as a journeyman potter in 1873. The jug is inscribed in cobalt “Safe in the ars (or arms) of James,” and the figure most likely represents James Van Schoick, who played trumpet in the Matawan Brass Band. The jug is most likely from the mid 1880s-1890 period when James was a member of that ensemble.

By the early 1890s, the band began receiving invitations to appear in parades throughout Central New Jersey. The band's uniforms were eye-catching; one newspaper article describing them as including "lots of gold lace and letters in gold to ornament them."

Additionally, prior to arriving in Matawan, Lowe owned a stoneware business in Bordentown, Burlington County, New Jersey, which was destroyed by a fire in 1869. This is likely why his family relocated in Matanwan. 

Interestingly, though, Lowe's daughter Lillian M. Lowe Van Schoick (1864-1925) married James Van Schoick on November 24, 1886. I suspect this is possibly a marriage jug, where "Safe in the ars (or arms) of James" is in reference to William Lowe giving away his daughter to James in marriage. This jug may have also been made in 1886. Similar types of red earthenware marriage objects were also produced in Bristol County among the Quaker potters and families in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century.

Note: This jug was acquired by the Monmouth County Historical Association in 1937 as a gift from Margaret Moore Riker Haskell (1864-1942), who was the wife of Jonathan Armory Haskell (1861-1923). The couple lived in Monmouth County and they were early donors of locally made antiques to the museum. It is unclear how the couple came into the possession of this jug.

A Possible "Marriage" Stoneware Jug from Matawan, New Jersey

Late 19th Century Stoneware Jug Made in Matawan, New Jersey

Inscribed in Cobalt Script "Safe in the ars of James"

Made by William A. Lowe at Dunn, Dunlop & Co.

This is Possibly a Marriage Stoneware Jug

Circa 1885-1890

Stands 9 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Monmouth County Historical Association

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