A Stoneware Jar Made in Charlestown, Mass. in 1806 with Ties to the Tarbell Family Pottery of Beverly, Mass.

Another subject that will be discussed in my forthcoming 10th book is the eighteenth and nineteenth century Tarbell family pottery of Beverly, Massachusetts. The family was related to the Osborns of Salem and South Danvers, Masssachusetts, where the original potter, William Tarbell (1754-1815), likely trained at the Osborn Pottery in South Danvers.

Among the surviving documents related to the Tarbell Pottery are four receipts owned by Historic Beverly from pharmacist Robert Rantoul Senior (1778-1858) of Beverlyin the early 1800s. The orders were for red earthenware gallipots, a small jar used by apothecaries for holding ointment or medicine.

Nevertheless, there is some evidence to suggest that the Tarbells also produced some stoneware in Beverly, which if that is the case then this would be a previously undocumented stoneware business. It may have been a similar operation as William Pecker (1754-1820), who until recently was only thought to have been a red earthenware potter in South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Massachusetts. But he was actually also a New York City trained stoneware potter, who produced some stoneware during the 1810-1820 period.

The most significant example of stoneware that has ties to the Tarbell family is a jar that is connected by family relationship, which sold at Crocker Farm in 2021 for $180,000, now kept as part of Adam Weitsman's collection at the New York State Museum: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2021-04-09/lot-1/Highly-Important-Mrs-Elesebeth-Tarbell-1806-BOSTON-Stoneware-Jar/.

Interestingly, the early nineteenth century stoneware jar was made at Frederick Carpenter’s Little Pottery in Charlestown, Massachusetts. It is dated 1806; incised on the side, “Mrs Elesebeth Tarbell 1806,” and stamped on the shoulder, “BOSTON.” Elizabeth Cook Tarbell of Lynnfield, Massachusetts was the wife of Revolutionary War veteran Jonathan Tarbell (ca. 1742-1795). Jonathan Tarbell was the first cousin of William Tarbell of Beverly; a son William Tarbell Junior (1793-1819) also became a pottery at the family business.: https://chipstone.org/images.php/826/Ceramics-in-America-2019/Eighteenth-Century-Boston-Stoneware:-Appealing-to-a-Local-Market.

Note: The Cook Pottery of South Danvers will also be a subject of a chapter in the book, which was related to Elizabeth Cook Tarbell.

A Stoneware Jar Made in Charlestown, Mass. in 1806

Early 19th Century Stoneware Presentation Jar Made in Charlestown, Mass.

Stamped "Boston" and Dated "1806"

Likely Made at Frederick Carpenter's Business

Inscribed Made for "Mrs. Elisebeth Tarbell in 1806"

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

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