A significant nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware gemel sold today at Cottone Auctions in Geneseo, New York. Both of the conjoined jugs were decorated with two leaves and two parrots, which can be used to attribute the object to the F.B. Norton Pottery in Worcester, Massachusetts, circa 1858-1876. The gemel is also impressed with the name "George P. Flagg." This may be the most significant example of stoneware known from the Norton Pottery in Worcester, whereas I have never seen this form before from Worcester, which is a shape that was produced in southern Connecticut.
For a brief history: Frank B. Norton (1829-1886) established this stoneware business in Worcester about 1858. He came from a family of potters in Bennington, Vermont, and had established a partnership with Frederick Hancock. Norton employed his three sons, his son-in-law, and several journeyman potters. The company's output consisted of stoneware pots, bottles, pitchers, jars, and jugs, as well as garden seats and umbrella stands. However, in 1876 Hancock sold out his interest in the company and the firm was renamed Frank B. Norton. When Frank died in 1886, his sons Myron (1855-1906) and John (1860-1916) operated the business as F.B. Norton Sons until 1894.
Interestingly, the Flagg surname was a popular name in the Worcester area in the nineteenth century; Flagg Street in Worcester is also named after this family, which runs along Pleasant Street and Salisbury Street.
According to the Worcester Public Library, "About 1799, four brothers, Elisha (1780-1853), Enoch (1776-1856), Marshall (1784-1842) and Nahum Flagg (1786-1867) came to Worcester from Weston, Massachusetts and went into the bakery business. The business prospered and the brothers became active in the town. Enoch spent a lot of his time with the military; for instance in 1807 he was the commanding officer of the Worcester Light Infantry.
At a meeting of the military corps on Aug. 4, 1807, when it seemed a war with England was brewing, the Infantry voted: “That in the present exigency of our country, the characters of the citizen and the soldier are inseparable” and that “we are ready, at a moment’s warning, to march wherever the executive authority may direct, in defence of the independence and integrity of our country, in repelling and chastising insult or invasion...”
Enoch moved his way up the military ladder and became a major. Elisha kept his nose to the grindstone, and became a member of the first Board of Overseers of public education.
On Feb. 18, 1815, during a violent snowstorm, a fire broke out on the west side of Main Street. The loss was over $10,000. Among the buildings destroyed were the residences and bake house of Enoch and Elisha Flagg.
Worcester residents subscribed $2,700 and an additional $1,800 was raised for relief of the principal victims. Remembering the disaster, Elisha became a charter member of the Mutual Fire Society, founded on July 11, 1822. He built Flagg’s Block, which contained Flagg Hall, and was used as a theater in its upper stories."
Nonetheless, the George P. Flagg (1820-1864) that is marked on this gemel is related to these four brothers; he is credited with serving in the American Civil War and dying on June 13, 1864, where he is buried today in Riverside Cemetery in Barre, Worcester County, Massachusetts, which is located a few towns to the northwest of Worcester. This Flagg was enlisted in the 25th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and seems to have died from wounds sustained in the Battle of Cold Harbor near Mechanicsville, Virginia that took place from May 31, 1864 to June 12, 1864.
Interestingly, this Flagg's death record also cites that his occupation was a laborer, although what exactly he did for work is not noted. Flagg married Hannah Winter Flagg in Worcester on January 25, 1843.
Additionally, the gemel is also marked with letters in cobalt "WR," which represents Whiskey and Rum. The gemel sold today for $13,500 plus the buyer's premium to New York collector Adam Weitsman and it will be heading to his collection at the New York State Museum in Albany, New York.
Note: However, I am curious to know when and how this piece of stoneware left the Flagg family of Worcester County, Massachusetts, seeing that it must have been a presentation object. I also suspect that it may have been a memorial object presented to George P. Flagg's family from the F.B. Norton Pottery.
A Significant 19th Century Stoneware Gemel from Worcester, Mass.
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