“An two Earthen platers and a Culender" in the Probate Inventory of Edward Allen (Ca. 1633-1696) of Suffield, Connecticut

Displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is an eighteenth century slip decorated red earthenware colander, which I suspect was made in Massachusetts. I believe this colander is also illustrated in my third book, titled, The Dawn of Independence, the Death of an Industry: The Pottery of Charlestown, Massachusetts: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-dawn-of-independence-the-death-of-an-industry/.

However, I have not seen any archaeological evidence of this form from any site that I have studied in New England; in fact, I have not really seen any accurate reference to the form having been made in Massachusetts before the American Revolution. Understandably, though, this is a very special object that the museum owns. 

Nonetheless, while working on my tenth and eleventh books, which are both works progress, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers, Peabody and Salem, Massachusetts and A Monumental History: Stories of Red Earthenware Production in Western Massachusetts, the Berkshires and Vermont, I came across a probate inventory owned by Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield, Massachusetts. 

The record is for Edward Allen (circa 1633-1696) of Suffield (now Hartford County), Connecticut. It is dated “1696” and includes “An two Earthen platers and a Culender.” 

Allen arrived in the Salem, Massachusetts area, where he married Sarah Kimball (1635-1696) in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on November 24, 1658. According to historical records, "On October 30, 1678, Edward was granted 60 acres in Suffield. His three older sons were granted forty acres each by the committee charged with the settling of Suffield. In spite of this grant, Edward and his son, John (1659-1704), took an oath of allegience to the town of Ipswich on December 11, 1678. The family remained in Ipswich until the spring of 1680, but they moved to Suffield shortly thereafter. Edward was referred to as Corporal when he was chosen a selectman in Suffield on March 7, 1693."

It is unclear where the "two Earthen platers and a Culender" were made noted in his inventory, although there was red earthenware production in places like Salem and Charlestown before Edward arrived in Connecticut in 1680.

Note: For more information about pottery made in the Hartford, Connecticut area - see my sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-city-on-the-river-the-early-red-earthenware-of-the-hartford-connecticut-area/?add-to-cart=2685.

“An two Earthen platers and a Culender" in the Inventory of Edward Allen

The 1696 Probate Inventory of Edward Allen (Ca. 1633-1696) of Suffield, Connecticut

Allen Came to Suffield in 1680 from Essex County, Mass.

The Inventory is Dated "1696"

Included are “An two Earthen platers and a Culender"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Memorial Hall Museum

Likely an 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Colander

Probably Made in Massachusetts

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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