Included as part of a section in Volume II of my recently published 1,400 page Western New York book, titled, America’s Great Awakening and Migration The Red Earthenware of Western New York, is some information about the Cornell family pottery in DeRuyter and Utica, New York. The family produced both red earthenware and stoneware, although production in Utica seems to have been limited to just stoneware production. However, the family's biggest accomplishment may have happened when Ezra Cornell (1807-1874) co-founded Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on April 27, 1865.
The most historically significant piece of stoneware made in Utica is perhaps a circa 1828-1829 jar that is incised "J.Q. Adams / Wm. A. Gay," and stamped "GAY / UTICA." This jar may have been made to commemorate John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), who served as the sixth president of the United States from 1825-1829. But it may have also been made in support of Adams in 1828, who was seeking reelection of a second term as President of the United States.
Interestingly, I posted a story to this website earlier this year, titled, The Opening of the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1832 and Some 19th Century Stoneware Production in Ohio, where I included some stoneware that was produced by Daniel Fisk (1792-1868) in Utica during the circa 1827-1830 period, and then in Cleveland, Ohio in the late 1830s. That article showed two jars that were very similar in shape and cobalt decoration, although they were made at two different locations about a decade a part.
The shape of this late 1820s jar is similar to the examples made by Fisk in Utica and Cleveland, although it was produced with a scalloped rim, whereas the cobalt decoration on this jar is also similar to types manufactured by Fisk. However, there were a few different stoneware businesses operating in Utica during the late 1820s and early 1830s period. A similar style of cobalt decoration is also found on some objects produced circa 1828-1830, which are marked "A Gay / Utica": https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2019-03-23/lot-68/Extremely-Rare-2-Gal-A-GAY-UTICA-Stoneware-Jug-w-Incised-Dog/.
Furthermore, this jar was manufactured in the early years of stoneware production in Utica, which commenced with the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. In fact, the canal played a significant role in the establishment of stoneware factories in Utica, as it facilitated the transportation of resources like clay, but it also gave potters the opportunity to export their production. For instance, Justin Campbell opened a stoneware pottery in Utica in 1825. In 1827, other potteries were established, including one by George Brayton, Aaron Kellogg, and Sylvester Doolittle, and the Fayette Pottery.
According to William C. Ketchum Jr.'s book, Potters and Potteries of New York State, 1650-1900: Second Edition: "...A period of financial instability was affecting the country (in the late 1820s), and the Utica potteries were not immune. The first to go was Amos Gay. He had apparently purchased the Campbell Pottery sometime after May 30, 1828, the date of Campbell's last ad in the Sentinel, and may have installed a family member, William Gay, as manager. There is ware impressed "W.A. Gay / Utica, and William is listed in the 1829 City Directory as boarding with Amos. But Amos' name appears on most pieces of stoneware from this period. Gay's business ultimately failed, where on May 31, 1830, the sheriff announced that the property was to be sold to satisfy creditors' judgements."
Amos Gay's career in the pottery business prior to the late 1820s may have been a completely different occupation, seeing that his name is found in a book published in 1892, titled, Memorial History of Utica, N.Y. From Its Settlement to the Present Time: "Amos Gay, a rather restless man kept in turn, several hotels and put up for a theater the large brick building which also became a hotel, but gave way to city hall as its successor." Amos is also listed in the 1820 and 1830 United States Federal Census in Utica, although William Gay is not listed in either of these censuses.
This jar is historically important for two different reasons, the first being an early example of stoneware production from a short-lived business in Utica; however, John Quincy Adams' presidency was also significant for its ambitious agenda of national improvements and the political realignment it triggered. Adams' term in office focused on infrastructure development, but it also marked the end of the Democratic-Republican Party, as it split into the National Republic Party and the Democratic Party. The State of New York also favored Adams in the electoral vote as part of the 1824 presidential election, while Adams lost to Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) in the 1828 presidential race, with Jackson winning New York's popular vote by a small margin. The 1828 election between Adams and Jackson took place from October 31 to December 2 of that year.
Nevertheless, this great jar is currently for sale at Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts; for more information - contact A.A.A.W.T.: https://www.aaawt.com/about/.
A Historically Important Example of Stoneware Made in Utica, N.Y.
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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