Another Preview of Forthcoming Tenth Book: Two Eighteenth Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitchers

This eighteenth century slip decorated red earthenware pitcher with three handles from Historic New England's collection will be discussed in my forthcoming two-volume, 1,730 page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, Danvers, Peabody, Beverly and Salem, Massachusetts, although the maker has not been identified. Previous information has suggested a New Hampshire or Massachusetts origin, whereas some of the British style slip decoration adorning the pitcher is similar to some pre-1775 archaeological evidence recovered in places like Charlestown, Massachusetts and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, etc. The pitcher is also decorated with slip script, reading, “Joseph Goodell.”

There were at least three men named “Joseph Goodell,” born in Salem in the 1600s and 1700s, all of whom were relatives or descendants of Robert Goodale (1594-1683); Joseph Goodell I (1672-1718), Joseph Goodell II (1711-1760) and Joseph Goodell Jr. (1755-1829), with the youngest two relocating to other parts of New England: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/10/a-slip-script-red-earthenware-pitcher.html.

18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher Adorned with Three Handles

Inscribed "Joseph Goodell"

This Person is Likely Related to the Goodale Family of the Salem, Mass. Area

Stands 7" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Historic New England

Interestingly, I visited a prominent private Massachusetts collection yesterday, where I was shown a small eighteenth century red earthenware pitcher with a comparable slip decoration, similar glaze and a similar footed base. Perhaps a related manufacturer, nonetheless this object will also be included in my forthcoming book!

Additionally, this type of slip design with a central circle surrounded by smaller dots is highly characteristic of English Staffordshire-style slip decorated earthenware from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. But it is found with other American red earthenware manufacturers, including some located in southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as with some of the potters who worked in Alamance County, North Carolina in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, etc.: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2014-07-19/lot-52/Extremely-Rare-Alamance-County-NC-Lidded-Redware-Sugar-Jar-c1790-1810/.

Note: For more information about pre-1775 production in Charlestown - see 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/.

18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher

Shares Some Characteristics with the Pitcher Shown Above

Also Shares Some Characteristics with Archaeology in Charlestown, Mass., Etc.

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Additional Views of the Pitcher

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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