Some Information About Forthcoming New Hampshire Book Available January 2025

One final update on my forthcoming New Hampshire book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses; I finished editing the proof copy yesterday, where the book runs 709-pages and is 13 chapters in length. 

The book covers red earthenware production throughout New Hampshire, including Hillsborough County, Cheshire County, Grafton County, Belknap County, the Lake Winnipesaukee area, North Conway, New Hampshire, the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area, parts of Vermont, some production in Essex County, Massachusetts, pre-1775 production in Charlestown, Masssachusetts, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, some production from Bristol County, Massachusetts and some information about Hartford, Connecticut, as well as a lot more!

For those who want to purchase the book - I will post information on this website and my social media accounts as soon as it is available from my publisher Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, along with retailers and bookstores all over. 

Nonetheless, this nineteenth century red earthenware jar is a very good example of the type of wares discussed in a chapter in the book about some production in Cheshire and Grafton Counties. The jar was most likely made in Cheshire County, where there was a production center that was part of Marlborough and Dublin, New Hampshire, known as Chesham Village, although there was more production in this county that had this type of look to it than just this one location. 

In the meantime - if you would like to purchase any of the other books in my ongoing pottery book series - here are links to each of the titles --

1) The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-beverly-pottery-the-wares-of-charles-a-lawrence/

2) The Moses B. Paige Company: The Last of the Peabody Potteries: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-moses-b-paige-company-the-last-of-the-peabody-potteries/

3) 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/

4) South Amesbury’s Red Earthenware & Stoneware Production: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery: https://historicbeverly.net/product/south-amesburys-red-earthenware-stoneware-production/

5) A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/

6) 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/

7) From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/

Note: And for anyone wondering what comes after this New Hampshire book - I am currently putting the finishing touches on my ninth book, a 1,200-page two-volume series about production in Western New York (which also covers red earthenware production throughout New York State, New York City and Long Island), titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/an-update-on-forthcoming-western-new.html.

Forthcoming New Hampshire Book Available January 2025

An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses

Available to Purchase January 2025

See Article for More Information

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Cheshire County, New Hampshire

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

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

Proof Copy of Forthcoming New Hampshire Book is Back from the Printer!

For those of you anticipating my next book, the proof copy came back yesterday from the printer for my forthcoming 709-page, eighth book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses. This book will be available next month (January 2025) from my publisher Historic Beverly in Beverly, Massachusetts, as well as retailers and bookstores all over!

The back cover of the book, reads in part, "New Hampshire’s red earthenware industry in the eighteenth century was largely contained to wares imported to the southern part of the state and along the seacoast by potters in Massachusetts, especially those from the pre-1775 industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts. But there was also some local colonial production, such as Samuel Marshall, who operated a red earthenware business in Portsmouth before 1750. There may have also been some obscure potters who are in many ways forgotten today, and others who are only remembered based on one or two objects that survive, including some production in the Concord area that happened as early as 1765. But it was in 1775 when Peter Clark left Braintree, Massachusetts for Lyndeborough, New Hampshire that a transformation happened with the state’s red earthenware industry. Clark and his family helped ignite production in the state for over 100 years that spread through Concord, up towards Lake Winnipesaukee, the White Mountains and into Vermont. This book is the first of its kind to take an in-depth look at the red earthenware made by the Clarks in New Hampshire through archaeology, a historical context, an aesthetic appeal and how this family was instrumental with red earthenware production in New Hampshire and Vermont, circa 1775-1880s."

In the meantime - if you would like to purchase any of the other books in my ongoing pottery book series - here are links to each of the titles --

1) The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-beverly-pottery-the-wares-of-charles-a-lawrence/

2) The Moses B. Paige Company: The Last of the Peabody Potteries: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-moses-b-paige-company-the-last-of-the-peabody-potteries/

3) 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/

4) South Amesbury’s Red Earthenware & Stoneware Production: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery: https://historicbeverly.net/product/south-amesburys-red-earthenware-stoneware-production/

5) A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/

6) 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/

7) From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/

Note: And for anyone wondering what comes after this New Hampshire book - I am currently putting the finishing touches on my ninth book, a 1,200-page two-volume series about production in Western New York (which also covers red earthenware production throughout New York State, New York City and Long Island), titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/an-update-on-forthcoming-western-new.html.

Proof Copy of Forthcoming New Hampshire Book is Back from the Printer!

Available January 2025

An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses

See Above for More Information

Available January 2025

An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses

See Above for More Information

Available January 2025

An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses

See Above for More Information

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

A Diary Kept by Captain Peter Clark in New Hampshire

This is some more information that will be included in my forthcoming 700-page New Hampshire book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businessss, whereas the foundation of the book is Captain Peter Clark (1743-1826), who was a South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts trained potter, who owned and operated a red earthenware business in Braintree, Massachusetts in the 1760s and 1770s. For reference, Braintree is located a short distance to the south of Boston.

Clark moved his family to Lyndeborough, New Hampshire in early 1775, although he fought in the American Revolution, eventually establishing his first pottery in Lyndeborough, sometime after he arrived in New Hampshire. Clark also served a number of roles while living in Lyndebrough outside of being just a potter, however he later established a second business in nearby Francestown, New Hampshire. 

Furthermore, Clark had at least four sons who entered the potters trade, Peter II (1764-1851), Daniel (1768-1828), William (1768-1855) and Benjamin (1770-1844), some of whom also established their own companies in Lyndeborough, Concord and Orford, New Hampshire, as well as Brownington, Vermont. Benjamin was also back living in Braintree around 1800, seeing this is where his son, Jonathan Clark (1800-1879) was born, who would also become a potter in Orford. However, it is unclear why Benjamin was in Braintree, but he may have been there in an attempt to revive his father's old business.

Nonetheless, the family was influential with red earthenware production in Hartford, Connecticut, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Essex County, southern New Hampshire, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Grafton County, New Hampshire, the Concord area, the Lake Winnipesaukee area, North Conway, New Hampshire and in parts of Vermont.

Additionally, both Peter Clark and his son Daniel Clark kept diaries; posted below is some of the information that Peter Clark wrote during the 1775-1801 period.

A Diary Kept by Captain Peter Clark in New Hampshire

Some Information Found in a Diary Kept by Captain Peter Clark in New Hampshire

See Article for More Information

18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Peter Clark in New Hampshire

Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society

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

A Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plate that Sold Two Nights Ago in Manheim, Pennsylvania

This eighteenth or early nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware plate that was probably made in southeastern Pennsylvania sold two nights ago in an online only sale at John M. Hess Auction Service in Manheim, Pennsylvania: https://hibid.com/lot/223657930/three-pieces-of-glazed-redware-?ref=lot-list.

The plate was described to me as being a period object with some restoration, although this type of slip decoration has been found on plates recovered from various contexts in Philadelphia dating from the circa 1730s-1780s period. However, I cannot say for sure if this plate dates from that eighteenth century period or a little later, but the use of the green glaze on this object certainly adds a strong aesthetic appeal. The group lot sold very reasonably for just $105 plus the buyer's premium.

For rest of the pottery in the sale - see the auction catalog: https://hessauctiongroup.hibid.com/catalog/600097/12-9-24-premier-antiques-and-americana-online-only-auction

Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plate that Sold Last Night in Manheim, PA

Group Lot of Red Earthenware that Sold Last Night in Manheim, PA

The Slip Decorated Plate was Probably Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Measures 9 3/8" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John M. Hess Auction Service

A View of the Back of the Plate

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John M. Hess Auction Service

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

The Rediscovery of the Jonathan Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

The site of the Deacon Jonathan Clark Pottery in Orford, N.H. was recently rediscovered! Benjamin Clark, son of Captain Peter Clark, founded this pottery business in 1816, which was then taken over by his son Jonathan in the 1840s, operating until the 1870s. 

Census records indicate that there were multiple employees working for Jonathan in the 1840s, whereas this is a business that was basically completely forgotten about in the twentieth century. 

The Clark family ran potteries in Braintree, Mass., Lyndeborough, N.H., Francestown, N.H., Concord, N.H., Orford, N.H. and Brownington, VT at various points in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. The family was also influential with production in Hartford, CT., Norfolk County, Mass., Essex County, Mass., parts of southern New Hampshire, the Concord area, Cheshire County, N.H., Grafton County, N.H., the Lake Winnipesaukee area, the North Conway, N.H. area and even parts of Vermont.

This will all be included in my forthcoming eighth book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses

: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/a-preview-of-front-and-back-covers-of.html

Nonetheless, this YouTube video posted by Bram Hepburn shows the recent rediscovery of Jonathan Clark’s pottery site in Orford: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tA_2Mm4KdKA&pp=ygUcTmV3IGVuZ2xhbmQgcG90dGVyeSBsb2NhdGlvbg%3D%3D

Jonathan Clark Pottery in Orford, New Hampshire

The Site of the Jonathan Clark Pottery in Orford, N.H.

See Link Above

Courtesy: Bram Hepburn and YouTube

Note: For more information - see this story that I posted to this website a few weeks ago: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/the-circa-1816-1870s-multigenerational.html

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

A Large 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found Decades Ago in Virginia

With the sale of the Thomas J. Myers (1807-1863) red earthenware jug yesterday at Crowded House Auctions in Mooresville, Indiana, which is thought to have been made in Smyth County, Virginia during the 1850s-1860s period, I wanted to show this large nineteenth century red earthenware jar that I acquired out of Virgina about 15-20 years ago. I always felt this piece had a chance of being made in southwest Virginia, although it also shares characteristics with the Myers jug, as well as another jug made by Myers that sold at Case Antiques in the summer of 2023. 

However, in the case of this jar, it seems to have a similar footed base, a similar glaze color and a similar use of three incised lines as the two referenced stamped Myers jugs: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/12/a-19th-century-red-earthenware-jug.html.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found Decades Ago in Virginia

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found in Virginia About 15-20 Years Ago

Possibly Made in Southwest Virginia

Stands 11" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

A View of the Foot at the Base

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

See Article for More Information

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Impressed "LIBERTY" that Sold Yesterday in Indiana

In the summer of 2023, Case Antiques in Knoxville, Tennessee sold a nineteenth century red earthenware jug that was made by Thomas J. Myers (1807-1863), which was made in the 1850s or 1860s, while Myers was working along the Great Road in Smyth County, Virginia. That jug was impressed "T.I.M.4," selling for $29,280 including the buyer's premium: https://auction.caseantiques.com/online-auctions/case-antiques/great-road-southwest-virginia-earthenware-pottery-jug-attrib-thomas-j-myers-5024991.

Furthermore, there was a nineteenth century red earthenware jar displayed in 2011 as part of the exhibit Tennessee Turned - Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee 1800-1900 that was curated by Dr. Carole Wahler at the East Tennessee Historical Society, which also had the initials T.I.M. impressed behind the top left handle. This object may be included as part of Dr. Wahler's collection that is selling next month at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland.

Both the 1850 and 1860 United States Federal Censuses list Myers as a potter in Smyth County, whereas the 1850 Census also notes that he was born in Virginia. His record of death indicates that he died from an unknown illness on April 11, 1863. 

Interestingly, a nineteenth century red earthenware jug marked "LIBERTY" that is thought to have been made by Myers in Smyth County sold yesterday at Crowded House Auctions in Mooresville, Indiana. The significance of this object and the context of the word liberty is important on a jug manufactured in the 1850s or 1860s, whereas the word's definition is "a state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views." Additionally, the American Civil War redefined the meaning of freedom, and this jug may be related to that time in American history.

Nonetheless, the jug sold for $7,000 plus the buyer's premium.

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Impressed "LIBERTY"

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Likely from Southwest Virginia

Thought to Have Been Made by Thomas J. Myers in Smyth County, Virginia

Marked with the Word "LIBERTY"

Circa 1850s-1860s

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crowded House Auctions

A View of the Impressed Word "LIBERTY"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crowded House Auctions

Additional Views of the Jug

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crowded House Auctions

Thomas J. Myers Listed as a Potter in Smyth County, Virginia

This is from the 1850 United States Federal Census

See Article for More Information

Thomas J. Myers Listed as a Potter in Smyth County, Virginia

This is from the 1860 United States Federal Census

See Article for More Information

Thomas J. Myers Record of Death

He Died in Smyth County, Virginia on April 11, 1863

See Article for More Information

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