Early 19th Century Stoneware Jar Made at the William Pecker Pottery in South Amesbury, Mass. that Appeared at Antiques Week in N.H.

A few days ago, I noted a very good example of eighteenth or early nineteenth century red earthenware from New England that showed up last week in the booth of Iowa antiques dealer Thom Rawson at the 68th annual New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association Show in Manchester, New Hampshire: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/08/some-information-about-forthcoming.html.

Nonetheless, I learned this morning through a Facebook post by stoneware collector Kris Casucci that an example of William Pecker's (1757-1820) circa 1810 stoneware from South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Massachusetts also showed up in Thom Rawson's booth. This is a very nice example of Pecker's stoneware, whereas this jar does appear like some of the jars made at Frederick Carpenter's (1771-1827) business in Charlestown, Massachusetts; however, Pecker was actually a trained Manhattan potter, working alongside such names as Crolius, Remmey, Commeraw and Morgan, circa 1802/03-1807/08. This information is documented during this period in Longworth's New York Directory. The attribution for this jar is based on matching objects stamped with Pecker's name, as well as archaeological evidence recovered at the site of his business.

Among the most interesting streets that Pecker is cited as living in New York City during this period was Bayard Street, circa 1803/04; this appears to be notable because the Crolius family was operating a stoneware manufactory on Bayard Street about the same time that Pecker is listed.

For some literature about William Pecker's stoneware production - see these books: 

1) South Amesbury’s Red Earthenware & Stoneware Production: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery: https://historicbeverly.net/product/south-amesburys-red-earthenware-stoneware-production/

2) An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses: https://historicbeverly.net/product/an-influential-family-of-early-potters-the-clarks-of-new-hampshire-and-related-businesses/

3) Commeraw's Stoneware: The Life and Work of the First African-American Pottery Owner: https://www.commeraw.com/

Also see a feature story I wrote for the April 23, 2023 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, William Pecker: A Massachusetts Red Earthenware & New York City Stoneware Potter: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/04/new-published-story-in-antiques-arts.html.

Note: There will also be a short section about William Pecker in my forthcoming 900+ page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers, Peabody and Salem, Massachusetts.

Stoneware Jar Made at the William Pecker Pottery in South Amesbury, Mass.

Early 19th C. Stoneware Jar Attributed to the William Pecker Pottery in South Amesbury, Mass.

Impressed with a Stamped Flower Highlighted with Cobalt

Circa 1810

The Jar is Two-Gallons in Size

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Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci

A View of the "2" Gallon Capacity Mark on the Reverse Side

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Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci

A View of One of the Handles

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Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci

A View of the Interior

The Jar Originally Had a Lid

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Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci

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