I recently helped a friend acquire this important example of an early nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware plate, which is one of only a few three-color slip-script dishes known from New York or New England today. This plate was made by John Betts Gregory (1782-1842) in Clinton, New York, about 1820 or perhaps earlier. Betts had worked at various potteries prior to arriving in Clinton about 1810, including under Absalom Day (1770-1843) in Norwalk, Connecticut followed by a stint at a pottery on Long Island in New York.
Although, this plate really speaks to a time and place in American history, whereas it was published in an article written by Richard Miller for the 2016 edition of Ceramics in America, titled, Norwalk (Connecticut) Slip-script Pottery, the Potters, and Related Ware: "Gregory was remembered as a “devout Methodist” whose Clinton home was a gathering place for itinerant preachers and believers from 1819 to 1827, as Day’s house had been in Norwalk."
According to Ezekiel 23, the twenty-third chapter in the Old Testament, "Say unto them, As I live, saith Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from this way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
Furthermore, the script on this object is related to advertising plates made by Gregory, where the manner of the script of the "W" on the word "Why" matches types produced on plates and platters that use the word "Ware," as well as other script objects made by Gregory, which could have been made in either Clinton or even when he returned to Norwalk after 1830. Those objects include an advertising plate owned by the Clinton Historical Society that reads "Clinton Ware," which helps connect this production to Clinton. This plate is decorated with three-colors of slip, and is the perhaps the first advertising plate made by Gregory in Clinton, possibly dating as early as 1810. It is notable to mention that the style of the four lines of slip on this plate is similar to some techniques used by Absalom Day in Norwalk in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.
The Clinton Historical Society also owns another plate that reads, "Made / By J B G / Oct 18 1823 / Clinton;" this is the earliest dated object known from Gregory in Clinton. There are also other related dishes known, including one that is owned by Colonial Williamsburg, which reads, “Ware / plenty Come / and buy.” The production technique of this dish is similar to the plate dated 1823.
Additionally, it is just a personal preference, but I feel the "Why Will you Die" plate could be the second or third most important example of surviving slip-script decorated red earthenware produced in New York and Connecticut after 1790; my feeling is that Absalom Day's circa 1796 "Day's Pottery" advertising dish owned today by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta is the most significant, and there is also a dish displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan that includes Day's conjoined initials in the center in slip from the same period. Nevertheless, though, in one way or another, these objects are all connected, seeing that Gregory initially worked for Day upon entering the potter's trade in the 1790s.
There are also some questions surrounding Gregory's career today, including the idea that he may have produced some of the marbled slip decorated red earthenware dishes that are known (and possibly other forms), based on archaeological evidence recovered from separate contexts on Long Island. The questions also include how much pottery he produced in Clinton versus the wares he may have made in Norwalk at the end of his career after 1830. The bulk of his production may have come out of his year's spent in Clinton.
For more information about John Betts Gregory - see a feature story I wrote for the April 26, 2021 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Wares Made By John Betts Gregory In Clinton, New York: An Examination Of Empire State Regional Redware: https://www.scribd.
Note: I have never been able to accurately determine when John Betts Gregory actually arrived in Clinton, although "John Gregory" is listed as living there as early as the 1810 United States Federal Census. It is unclear if he was producing pottery in Clinton prior to this year, but it seems that he worked there for at least 20 years. It also worth noting that there are at least two three-color slip-script advertising plates known, one is dated "1824," while the other is dated "1826."
"Why Will you Die;" Made by John Betts Gregory In Clinton, N.Y.
Early 19th Century Three-Color Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate
Made by John Betts Gregory In Clinton, New York
Circa 1820 or Perhaps Earlier
Measures 11 3/4" in Diameter
See Article for More Information
Another View of the Plate
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A View of the Back of the Plate
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"John Gregory" Listed as Living in Clinton, New York in 1810
This is from the 1810 United States Federal Census
Gregory Seems to Have Produced Pottery in Clinton From Circa 1810-1830
Clinton was Possibly the Location Where he Produced the Most Pottery
See Article for More Information
Advertising Plate Made by John Betts Gregory In Clinton, New York
The Slip-Script Reads "Clinton Ware"
Circa 1820 or Perhaps Earlier
Possibly as Early as 1810
The "W" on "Ware" Matches the "W" on the "Why" Shown Above
This Plate Helps Connect This Type of Production to Clinton
Old Tag on the Back Reads "1823," But I Don't Know the Accuracy of this Information
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Clinton, New York Historical Society
Gregory Also Used Three-Colors of Slip on this Plate
This Slip Technique was also Used by Absalom Day in Norwalk, CT
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Clinton, New York Historical Society
Advertising Plate Made by John Betts Gregory In Clinton, New York
The Slip-Script Reads "Made / By J B G / Oct 18 1823 / Clinton"
I Believe this is the Earliest Dated Object Known from Gregory
Production of this Plate is Similar to Other Advertising Objects from Gregory
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Clinton, New York Historical Society
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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