19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found in Multigenerational Family Estate in Western Maine

A term that I have heard through the years in regards to some nineteenth century northern New England red earthenware production is "Western Maine potter." However, I'm not sure there is a single identified business in this part of Maine, seeing that most of the known red earthenware production in Maine in the 1800s happened along the coast, populated river regions, as well as small farming communities located ten to thirty miles from the coast.

This map shows the area that is considered Western Maine today, which did not sustain much of a population in the nineteenth century; the lack of population would have made it difficult for a full-time potter or even a farmer/potter to turn a profit on pottery production, taking into account the cost of building a kiln, wood for firing the kiln and the needed supplies to manufacture pottery, i.e. clay, etc. Those wares would have also then needed to have been transported to areas where they could be sold. New Hampshire potters employed across the border could have also supplied part of this region with red earthenware in the nineteenth century.

The Area in Green is Considered Western Maine Today

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Nonetheless, this nineteenth century red earthenware jar with two highly unusual handles was just discovered by Portland, Maine historian Chris Havey in a multi-generational family estate in "Western Maine." The maker is not identified, although this family originated in Eastport, Maine and Roxbury, Massachusetts. The jar was likely made in northern New England or Massachusetts. 

Note: For more information about Chris Havey's contribution to the documented history of red earthenware production in Maine - see 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/.

Red Earthenware Jar Found in Family Estate in Western Maine

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found in Family Estate in Western Maine

The Family Descended from Eastport, Maine and Roxbury, Mass.

Possibly Made in Mass. or Northern New England

Stands About 9" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey

A View of One Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey

A View of the Other Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey

Another View of the Jar

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Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey

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