An Important 19th Century Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate, Inscribed, "Lyme N.H."

Here is an object that I am thrilled to include in my forthcoming eighth book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses; I noted last week that I leaned about a basically forgotten red earthenware business in Orford, New Hampshire earlier this year that was established in 1816 by Benjamin Clark (1770-1844), son of Captain Peter Clark (1743-1826), which Benjamin's son Jonathan Clark (1800-1879) continued with production into the 1870s. The whereabouts of this business with some kiln remains has also just been identified, whereas this plate was just brought to my attention by a private collector.

This nineteenth century slip script red earthenware plate is inscribed “Lyme N.H.;” Lyme is located along the Connecticut River about seven miles north of Orford. The style of the script on this plate does not seem to match known techniques applied in well-known production centers in the northeast, such as Norwalk, Connecticut, Long Island, West Hartford, Connecticut and even along the Hudson River in places like Poughkeepsie and Troy, New York.

Interestingly, in 1806, a stagecoach route opened from the east, passing from Concord through Lyme to Orford, as the Grafton Turnpike, stimulating travel and trade. This may have been part of the reason that Benjamin Clark originally established the red earthenware business in Orford, whereas the Clarks were known to have produced some slip decorated red earthenware, but nothing like this has ever been associated with their production. Moses Bradley (1765-1826) was also known to have produced some slip decorated red earthenware in Vermont, as well as some other Vermont potters, etc.

For more information - here is a preview to the front and back covers of the book: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/a-preview-of-front-and-back-covers-of.html.

19th Century Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate, Inscribed, "Lyme N.H."

19th Century Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate, Inscribed, "Lyme N.H."

Lyme is Located About 7 Miles North of Orford, New Hampshire

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

A View of the Back of the Plate

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

There were Many Stagecoach Routes in New Hampshire

This Map Shows Major Travel Routes and Stagecoach Routes in New Hampshire

The Grafton Turnpike is Included on the Map

The Map was Printed in 1833 in Boston by J.R. Goodno

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Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society

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