An 18th or 19th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Jar from South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts that May Retain a History of Ownership with the Bodge Family of South Danvers

I just learned about this eighteenth or nineteenth century red earthenware jar this morning that was recently acquired by early American glass specialist and redware collector Mark Newton from a picker in Massachusetts. The black glazed jar is chipped along the rim, although I immediately recognized the form as likely being a product of the Southwick family potteries in South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts, seeing that there are related black glazed objects with this attribution owned by the Peabody Historical Society and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. 

Another related jar sold last summer as part of Gloucester, Massachusetts antiques dealer and collector Roger Pheulpin's collection at Blackwood/March in Essex, Massachusetts, which was also found in the Peabody area: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/antique-redware-handled-jug-with-lid-11-inches-ta-157-c-0064b70ab4?objectID=181104756&algIndex=archive_lotNumber_asc_prod&queryID=813846a36027b16bd2dec4fd3b326fa8.

Interestingly, this jar also came with a very old note, reading, "Presented by Horatio Bodge / jar straight sided / dark glazing / Made at the Wm. Southwick Pottery / Lowell Street / about 1775." The note really grabbed my attention since the information found with old notes like this are not always correct, but this appears for the most part to be accurate (I cannot confirm the date of manufacture).

According to information published by Massachusetts author Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) in Early New England Potters and Their Wares, "Not the least important among the South Danvers (today known as Peabody) craftsman are the Southwicks, also of Quaker descent. They stemmed from Lawrence Southwick (circa 1594-1660), who, on account of his religion, was banished from Salem, Massachusetts in the dead of winter. 

Joseph and William (1754-1828) of the fifth generation were both potters and both lived on Lowell Street; Joseph at No. 151, where his kiln and shop stood in 1786, and William at No. 161.

Joseph was blessed with four daughters, but William had a son, William Southwick, Jr., who became a potter, and he in turn had three sons, William Southwick, Jedebiah Kilbourn Southwick, and James Chapman Southwick, who followed the family calling."

Furthermore, it appears that Horatio Bodge (1822-1902) would have been living in Peabody when the Southwick family was still producing red earthenware; the Bodge name is also synonymous with red earthenware production in New England with the Bodges of Charlestown, Massachusetts operating a business there before 1775; one of the Bodges from Charlestown then relocated to South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Massachusetts around the American Revolution, eventually establishing the first red earthenware pottery in that community, marrying William Pecker's (1757-1820) sister Hannah, and leading to a long legacy of Pecker and Chase family production for nearly 100 years.

Nevertheless, Horatio is listed as a farmer in Peabody in the 1870 and 1880 Federal Censuses. He married Eliza Ann Berry (1819-1883) on June 4, 1843 in Danvers, where the couple had at least two sons and three daughters. Horatio's parents were also born in South Danvers.

Note: For more information - see my second book, titled, The Moses B. Paige Company: The Last of the Peabody Potteries: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-moses-b-paige-company-the-last-of-the-peabody-potteries/.

Also see my third book, titled, South Amesbury's Red Earthenware & Stoneware: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery: https://historicbeverly.net/product/south-amesburys-red-earthenware-stoneware-production/.

Black Glazed Red Earthenware Jar from South Danvers (Peabody), Mass.

18th or 19th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

Likely Made by the Southwick Family in South Danvers (Peabody), Mass.

Possibly Made at William Southwick's (1754-1828) Business

May Retain a History of Ownership with the Bodge Family of South Danvers, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton

An Old Tag that Came with the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton

Horatio Bodge (1822-1902) Listed as a Farmer in Peabody, Mass.

This is from the 1870 Federal Census

He is also Listed as a Farmer in Other Censuses in Peabody

The Jar May Retain a History of Ownership with the Bodge Family in Peabody

See Article for More Information

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