Another significant aspect about the incredible private collection in Maine that I wrote about a few days ago is the selection of vibrant glazed forms made at the John Corliss (1799-1892) Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine, circa 1824-1890. All of these objects were also published in my seventh book, titled, From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth, Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/from-one-town-came-many-the-red-earthenware-industry-of-ancient-north-yarmouth-maine/.
There are a number of examples of Corliss Pottery scattered throughout private and museum collections today, although the styles of the glazes on these objects significantly vary. The best examples are the ones that are adorned with vibrant multi-colored glazes, along with rare forms, which is what the examples in this collection represent, combined with original lids.
The history of the Corliss Pottery is rather well documented today, although before John Corliss established his pottery business, he was born in New Hampshire and worked at a red earthenware company owned his uncle Ebenezer Corliss (1764-1853) in North Yarmouth, Cumberland County, Maine.
The industry in North Yarmouth was established in the 1790s by John Thomas (1754-1843), who relocated from Newburyport, Massachusetts, where he had likely previously worked at the circa 1764-1799 Daniel Bayley (1722-1792) Pottery Company in Newburyport. Thomas was a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and he built his pottery on the west side of Main Street on Yarmouth Corner in 1791. Thomas trained Ebenezer Corliss, who also opened a business in Yarmouth. The industry in North Yarmouth was eventually the location of a group of red earthenware businesses in the nineteenth century, and arguably the largest production center in the state of Maine.
This private collection in Maine also included a collection of letters mostly written by John Corliss, now owned by the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine. Although, while reading through these letters about ten to eleven years ago, I found one was actually written by a member of the Foster family to Corlisss, whereas the Foster family also operated a red earthenware company in North Yarmouth in the 1800s.
Yarmouth, June 25, (18)66
Brother Corliss,
The fields are green, the trees are green, everything is green. Many month you promise to come here is green and fresh in my memory, which you made me when I saw you last, and I shall take no excuse for you can come if you choose to. Do take the time and make us a visit. One more visit to the scenes of your youthful days. We will all try to make your visit agreeable. Mother says she would be glad to have you home and see her. Give my love to all.
Good bye till we have you here in our midst.
Your's Truly,
W.H. Foster
Selection of Red Earthenware Made in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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