Some More Information About the 19th Century Norcross Pottery of Farmington, Maine

Yesterday I posted a story about a collection of eight nineteenth century red earthenware jugs made at the Norcross Pottery in Farmington, Maine, which sold at Thomaston Place Auctions in Thomaston, Maine: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/09/selection-of-19th-century-red.html.

This company was operated by three successive family members: Josiah Norcross (1759-1828) who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as his son Matthias Norcross (1792-1868) and grandson Matthias Norcross, Jr. (1836-1880). There was also a brother to Josiah, named Samuel Norcross (1781-1872), who had some involvement in the potter's trade, but not much is documented about what he may have produced, although he is buried in Monmouth Center Cemetery in Monmouth, Maine, which is where the Safford family produced red earthenware in the 1800s.

Nevertheless, published as part of my seventh book, titled, From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth, Maine, is a selection of Norcross Pottery objects owned privately in Maine, which includes jugs, pitchers and an inkwell. One of the jugs is probably the most dramatic shaped jug associated with the Norcross Pottery today, which is known for a very unusual indented line around the midsection of the body of jugs. 

Furthermore, ten of the Norcross jugs in this collection came from the estate of Frank Dingley in Farmington, one of which I acquired from the owner around a decade ago. Although, the inkwell is of particular interest, seeing that it was pulled out of an old attic in Farmington by Dingley. 

The Norcross Pottery will also likely be mentioned in my forthcoming two-volume tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers, Peabody and Salem, Massachusetts, since I have a section about how some potters in Essex County, Massachusetts and the Boston area influenced production in parts of northern New England in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.

The 19th Century Norcross Pottery of Farmington, Maine

(Left) Very Unusual 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug

Likely Made at the Norcross Pottery in Farmington, Maine

(Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Inkwell

Found in an Old Attic in Farmington, Maine

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

19th Century Jugs Made at the Norcross Pottery in Farmington, Maine

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

19th Century Jugs Made at the Norcross Pottery in Farmington, Maine

Notice the Size of the One on the Left (See Picture Below)

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Small 19th Century Jug Made at the Norcross Pottery in Farmington, Maine

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitchers Made at the Norcross Pottery in Farmington, ME

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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