An 18th Century Barrel-Shaped Red Earthenware Mug from Essex County, Massachusetts

I am usually hesitant to use the term "eighteenth century" with any red earthenware (or stoneware), unless I can prove for sure that an object dates from the 1700s, especially with archaeological evidence or other documented proof, seeing that production from the eighteenth century and the first-quarter of the nineteenth century can often appear similar in form. This is an idea that is certainly true with many potteries located in coastal Massachusetts, and even in parts of New Hampshire and Maine. 

However, there is one object that I wanted to mention that is a part of the good stoneware collection that I have been writing about, which is currently available at Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts; the collection also includes a barrel-formed red earthenware mug that I feel fairly confident in saying was made at the Daniel Bayley (1722-1792) Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts, circa 1764-1799. This object was also previously owned by Roger Pheulpin of Gloucester, Massachusetts. 

The Bayley family of potters was a relatively large family, which began with Joseph Bayley (1691-1755) in Rowley, Massachusetts in the early eighteenth century. He ended his pottery business in Rowley in 1735 for religious reasons and then relocated to then Newbury, Massachusetts (became Newburyport in 1764). Joseph is actually one of the first colonial red earthenware potters known in America. He passed down his skills to his children (among them was Daniel Bayley) and grandchildren, who are known to have worked as potters in both Newburyport and Gloucester, Massachusetts.

The shape of this mug matches examples recovered at the site of the Bayley Pottery in Newburyport in 1934 by Massachusetts author Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982), now owned by the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Interestingly, though, I also happen to own a related mug that retains an old hand-written nineteenth century note, which reads, "Joseph Bayley Pottery made this mug in Rowley before 1735."

Archaeological evidence does prove this form of mug was made in Newburyport in the 1700s, perhaps before the American Revolution, although Daniel learned the potters trade from his father in Newbury so it is possible that this form was made in both Rowley and Newburyport in the 1700s.

Here is a link to the mug: https://www.aaawt.com/antique/18th-century-barrel-shape-black-glazed-redware-mug/

Nevertheless, this is a rare opportunity to purchase an example of eighteenth century red earthenware from Massachusetts; for more information - contact A.A.A.W.T.: https://www.aaawt.com/about/.

Note: For more information about the Bayley Pottery - see my seventh book, titled, From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/.

Barrel-Shaped Red Earthenware Mug from Essex County, Massachusetts

18th Century Barrel Shaped Red Earthenware Mug from Essex County, Mass.

Likely Made at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.

Likely Circa 1764-1799

Stands 5 3/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: A.A.A.W.T.

There are a Small Group of These Mugs Known Today

One Retains this Old 19th Century Note

The Note Reads, "Joseph Bayley Pottery made this mug in Rowley before 1735"

Joseph Bayley Trained His Son Daniel Bayley in Newbury After 1735

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This is Joseph Bayley's (1691-1755) Gravestone in West Newbury, Mass.

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This is Daniel Bayley's (1722-1792) Gravestone in Newburyport, Mass.

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Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...