Possible Discovery of the One-Time Operation and Kiln Area of Charles A. Lawrence in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Harvard Professor Lura Woodside Watkins paid very little attention (compared to others) to Charles A. Lawrence (Solares), a Portugese-American immigrant potter who worked in the second half of the nineteenth century in Beverly, Massachusetts. The earliest utilitarian decorated wares of Lawrence Pottery are very colorful with a use of green and yellow slip decoration. There is very little know of Lawrence's work outside of the form seen in Watkins book, "Early New England Potters and Their Wares." It is known that Lawrence trained in South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts in one of the longest active shops in all of early American pottery.

I personally know of a handful of utilitarian and decorative forms Lawrence manufactured through the course of 1866 to 1883 - before his kiln accidentally caught fire. The company rebuilt and its manufacturing style changed.

A much larger fire roared through in 1891 when Lawrence Pottery had taken on more of an industrial appearance - totally destroying three of the businesses that operated along the Bass River in Beverly. Charles Lawrence's company was one of those fatalities. Lawrence died in 1896 and the company continued to operate until its doors were finally shut in 1906. The most important, skilled and experimental years - where those that predate 1883 before the Industrial Revolution altered the appearance of the American potter's industry forever.

Like I said, very little is known of this company's earliest wares and decorative techniques - outside of what is seen in Watkins book.

Beverly pottery is equal to William Pecker's work in Merrimacport, Massachusetts as my favorite all-time potters. Each skill was unvarying and has gained a great deal of my curiosity.

I wrote of my discovery of the possible kiln site of William Pecker a few weeks ago.
Possible William Pecker Kiln Site Report

This morning, I set out to see if I could find any remains of the operation of Lawrence Pottery in Beverly. Watkins pictures the remains of Charles Lawrence and fellow potters after the kiln caught fire in 1883 - wrecking all the pottery inside. That is pictured  in figure 5 (a) of her book. With the idea of the kiln burning in 1883 and a massive fire in 1891 - all of which happened along the Bass River - I thought there must be some kind of remains.

Bass River - Beverly, Ma

Watkins wrote, "During the sixties (1860s) Lawrence produced the familiar types of redware. The pitcher in Figure 57 is an example of his output that looks much older in style than it really is. It is brushed with white and green slips, which contrast agreeably with the brownish-red background. A decade later the concern was making terra cotta and decorated wares in the taste of the period. Vases of classic design were turned for home embellishment. It is said that Edwin A Rich's (potter who worked for Lawrence) talent for creating beautiful forms led to much experimentation and to the commercial expansion of the pottery...After 1900, they advertised flowerpots, antique pottery, and roasting pans and were wholesale dealers in stoneware, rockingham, yellow wares, glassware, and drain pipe." (Lura Woodside Watkins, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, page 72)

Possibly Charles A Lawrence Mug - Beverly, Ma

Style Appears Much Older than it is - Likely 1860s

Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, Ma

Period advertising led me to the near exact area of where the Charles Lawrence Pottery may have once stood and unfortunately, a great-deal of construction has taken place and is currently ongoing. The kiln site is not known, but the area of where it once was stood certainly is. There were likely a number of kilns within the company's lifespan.

For the sake of this report - I will not reveal too much information about the forms that Charles Lawrence once made because I enjoy the hunt for pottery as much as I do the research and writing angle of it. I would rather not give too much information away. I hope you can respect my decision.

Current Construction Site Near Where Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Once Operated

New Parking Lot Near the Site of Where Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Once Operated

My thought was that if there were any obvious remains - they would likely be near the river where the company operated. Naturally, that's where I headed. I will not reveal my exact location at this time. I would rather keep it a secret as it took a great deal of research to figure this all out.

 Bass River - Beverly, Ma

Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Operated on the River

  Bass River - Beverly, Ma

Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Operated on the River

  Bass River - Beverly, Ma

Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Operated on the River

 Bass River - Beverly, Ma

Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Operated on the River

I made my way down to the shores of the Bass River and I began to look. At first, all I saw were redware drain pipes - which I do not believe where a wholesale product of the pottery like Watkins described above, but instead - this particular example I believe was made at the Beverly pottery since it was made of pure redware.

Redware Drain Pipe - Likely Made in Beverly, Ma

Late 19th Century

The expected drain pipes made of stoneware were seen everywhere. This is what they are typically made of - not redware. After 1900, the Beverly pottery acted as a  wholesaler of drain pipes made by the Portland Stoneware Company in Portland, Maine. The Portland Stoneware Company supplied much of New England with such wares - these Portland wares were everywhere, but the redware example shown above was the only example seen made in the manner it was.

Stoneware Drain Pipe - Likely Made in Portland, Me
Portland Stoneware Company

Late 19th Century

As I looked around the shores more - plenty of sherds began to appear in plain sight. I found these wonderful strongly incised examples, which are likely from the 1870s - when the company experimented with Old World Grecian forms.

Charles A Lawrence Terra Cotta Examples of Old World Pottery Techniques

Likely 1870s - Made in Beverly, Ma

A painted rim sherd appeared - which too, was likely an Old World style.

Charles A Lawrence Redware Rim Sherd that has Been Painted White

Likely 1860s to 1870s - Made in Beverly, Ma

I have previously written a report of the Old World Styles Made in Beverly.

Charles A Lawrence "Old World" Report 

There were plenty of redware sherds - even Rockingham examples which the company acted as a wholesaler for. Oddly, some of the redware sherds appeared eighteenth century, but most were of the correct period.

 As-Found Redware Sherds and a Rockingham Sherd

The shoreline was covered in bricks. Some may have belonged to the old Beverly Pottery industrial building that no longer exists. However, none resembled actual bricks used in a kiln.

 Burned Brick On the Shores of the Bass River - Beverly, Ma

 Bricks Cemented Together on the Shores of the Bass River - Beverly, Ma

 Bricks on the Shores of the Bass River - Beverly, Ma

 Bricks Cemented Together on the Shores of the Bass River - Beverly, Ma

There were plenty of flower pots sherds, too - like Watkins described as a later product of the pottery. All the flower pots I saw were certainly hand turned and from the latter years of the nineteenth century.

 Terracotta Flower Pot - Likely Made in Beverly, Ma

Late 19th Century

Large Terracotta Flower Pot

Likely Made in Beverly Ma

Circa 1880s to 1890s

All-in-all, I would say nearly fifty redware sherds were found in plain sight. I can only imagine how many sherds may lay at the bottom of the Bass River and in the nearby ground. I have a strong idea of two hills that are likely rich with evidence of this one-time pottery operation.

There will be much more to this topic soon - I am hoping to submit the details and the history of the pottery for an article down the road. It can be assumed the later kiln of Charles Lawrence may have been inside the brick warehouse that burned in 1891. It would have been a similar operation to many of the potters of the period that include the Dorchester Pottery Works in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

I have previously written a brief report of the Dorchester Pottery Works.
Dorchester Pottery Works

I will not share the pictures of where, but the clear water of the Bass River revealed an obvious amount of sherds scattered on the floor of the river bed. They were mostly Portland Stoneware Company drain pipes and flower pots which leads me to believe they were all from the 1891 fire, but who knows what else is down there.

I can only image how much activity this river once saw with such an important pottery working on its shores. The pottery was strategically located near Salem, Massachusetts - an area that likely served as a major distributor and consumer for the company.

   Bass River - Beverly, Ma

Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Operated on the River

  Bass River - Beverly, Ma

Charles A. Lawrence Pottery Operated on the River

This is the area where I believe the earliest kiln may have operated - the area that is now partially a tunnel for a road and an overpass for the MBTA railroad.

 Possible Area of Charles A Lawrence's Earliest Kiln - Beverly, Ma

Much more to come...There is much more to this story!

19th Century Red Earthenware Discovered in Early-19th Century Home in Westerly, Rhode Island

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "There is, but little evidence that the potter's trade flourished in any extent in Rhode Island. The names of only four redware makers are known...(And) none of them worked for more than ten or twelve years.

A variety of facts may explain the lack of potters in this state. It is possible that the clay was not at the best quality. A second explanation is that Rhode Island was always supplied with earthenware from other localities."

I recently attended an onsite auction in Westerly, Rhode Island, where the contents of an early home were cleaned out and sold to the highest bidder. It was an onsite sale where everything had to go. The contents were pulled from the home and sold to the winning bidder on the front lawn. The sale included two pieces of interesting red earthenware, which may have been original to the home; although, an accurate attribution is difficult for each object. But I am certain that they are American-made. Both of these objects were also discovered in the home's basement covered in dirt.

The reason that I pursued both of these objects is the fact that Watkins had suggested that Rhode Island was a state, which was likely dominated by pottery imported from potter's elsewhere in New England in places, such as southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut; whereas, these pieces do not look like they are form Massachusetts, but they could have been made in Connecticut, circa 1800-1840.

Note: The Pawcutuck River flows near this home, and this could have been a waterway that was used by early New England red earthenware potters, who wished to ship their wares to Westerly, Rhode Island and other locations in the southern part of the state.

Onsite Auction in Westerly, Rhode Island

Onsite Auction Held at Early-19th Century Home in Westerly, RI
Two Pieces of Red Earthenware Were Found in this Home's Basement
See Article for More Information

Pawcutuck River in Westerly, Rhode Island

 Pawcutuck River in Westerly, RI
See Article for More Information

 Pawcutuck River in Westerly, RI
See Article for More Information

 Pawcutuck River Westerly, RI
See Article for More Information

Red Earthenware Found in Home in Westerly, Rhode Island

Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Handled Pot
Found in the Basement of the Home in Westerly, RI
Circa 1800-1840
Stands 9 1/8" Tall
See Article for More Information

View of the Handle
See Article for More Information

Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Pot
Found in the Basement of the Home in Westerly, RI
Circa 1800-1840
Stands 8 1/2" Tall
See Article for More Information

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

Unidentifed Green Glaze of Possible Early Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts Potter

John Spargo's book, "Early American Pottery and China" attributes a few examples of early Massachusetts redware to the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts. There is no real evidence for this association beyond what is assumed examples of early Southeastern Massachusetts redware that may have emerged from Barnstable homes at the time of Spargo's writing. There is certainly no archaeological support for his claims. He did however, write the book when many nineteenth century potters and customers were still alive, but I still feel there is no concrete evidence beyond word of mouth and speculation.

Noah Bradford and his son in-law, Daniel Parker, Jr. ran a pottery in West Barnstable, Masssachusetts. The site of their operation may be represented with redware sherds, tiles used for stacking wares in kilns and actual kiln furniture that was dug near a construction site. Sherd glaze colors include a variation of greens and blacks. Known forms represented in the ceramic assemblage include jugs, lug handles, lids and mostly thick outdoor wares. Many of the sherds may even represent pottery forms intended for solely architectural and heavy use.

 Bradford-Parker Pottery Sherd - West Barnstable, Ma

Dark Green Glaze

Early to Mid 19th Century

Kiln Furniture Attached to Sherd

I have seen many of the sherds that represent this archaeological collection and most appear to have been used for some-sort of outdoor heavy intended purpose. Oddly, I have never seen redware manufactured in such a way in early nineteenth century New England like the sherds from this Cape Cod town.

The sherd shown above - demonstrates a very-good idea of what this company produced. Are there any thoughts towards the use or forms these potters may have manufactured? Myself and others have mixed and unproven thoughts of how this company's output may have appeared. Could Bradford-Parker have contributed to many of the Southeastern Massachusetts forms that most associate with potters working further west and north in the Bay State?

Southeastern Massachusetts Redware Jar

Early 19th Century

Discovered in a Westport, Ma Home

Lura Woodside Watkins only briefly discusses the West Barnstable manufactory in her book, "Early New England Potters and Their Wares." She described the work as similar to the "flower pots" made of the era in Kingston, Rhode Island.

Possible Kingston, RI Redware Flower Pot 

Near Mid 19th Century

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc - Boston

An interesting example of domestic redware was recently found in Rhode Island. The glaze style does not remind me of either the known potters working in East Greenwich, Rhode Island or those of whom worked around the Taunton River in Massachusetts. Could this sherd represent the work of the potters in West Barnstable or those in Kingston? Either way, very little is known of both area's pottery production.

The site location of discovery is many miles inland so there is really no way of seeing an import industry from local potters working within a fifty mile radius. Most exported their wares by a river or ocean into maritime communities. East Greenwich is about thirty miles away and likely the nearest known area of an earthenware business. Could these sherds be the work of the Upton Brothers who worked in East Greenwich?

Redware Sherds Found in Rhode Island

Likely a Domestic and Local Potter

Early 19th Century

The sherds are described as moderately potted with a thick green glaze and brown mottling. There is likely no true archaeological context.

The glaze style does not remind of any form or colors used by the known Rhode Island potters or those who worked just a bit further north in Massachusettss that I have seen. They appear more of a technique used even further north in northern New England. Could they be the work of the Bradford-Parker pottery or those who worked in Kingston, Rhode Island? What do you think? Any thoughts or suggestions? Is this a rare glaze not typically seen within this area? Could it be an experimental glaze?

The glaze is like nothing I have ever seen. It is utilitarian and likely made for a household use. Beyond that, there are a number of obvious potential questions.

What do you think!?

Plenty more to come...

19th Century New England Green Redware Sherd Found in Newburyport, Ma

James Chase Report 1

Experimental green glazed wares were once manufactured in Merrimacport, Massachusetts (formerly West Amesbury) according to a conversation Lura Woodside Watkins had with the nineteenth and twentieth century traveling New England potter, John Donovan. He told her he remembered the Chase family pottery in Merrimacport working with basic glazed utilitarian wares and occasionally applying a green glaze. Beyond this conversation - very little, if anything is known of these glazes.

There were at least two known kilns that operated in Merrimacport of the thirty year period that surrounded the mid nineteenth century. Both Phineas and James Chase owned kilns for earthenware production that operated within both their own backyards. They were neighbors in the diminutive riverside community and relatives of the earlier potter, William Pecker.

"Such examples of Chase Wares as I (Watkins) have seen have been generally of quite a utilitarian nature...numerous dishes, pots and vases glazed only on the inside." (Watkins, Early New England Potters and Their Wares)

As far as I can tell - Chase wares are extremely rare - basic wares, but still extremely rare. Until recently, I had never seen an example, however, that statement only stood true until recently. While driving past an early home and barn on my way back from a local Sunday morning flea market earlier this summer - I noticed at the front of the property was a sign for an estate sale that began only a few hours later in the day. I came back soon after the sale started. The contents of the eighteenth century barn were being sold off on behalf of a seller and buyer's agreement. I was later told the barn was actually an early home that was moved to the property and has been acting as a storage building for nearly fifty years. The new owner's intentions are to now fully restore the building.

18th Century Barn in Newbury, Ma

Originally a Period Home Moved to the Present Property

 

Barn Doors Added Later

For some reason - I had a hunch there would be some sort of early area redware within this eighteenth century building - that stood directly adjacent to the Newbury Lower Green. The green was the location of where the area's first settlers landed in the seventeenth century from the Parker River. The river meets both the Atlantic Ocean and the Merrimac River. It likely served as a mode of transportation hundreds of years ago. A water route for export and import industries may also have been seen at one time.

 Newbury, Ma Lower Green

Landing Place of 17th Century Settlers

Old School House Dates to the Late 19th Century

The interior of the building was tremendous. All the original woodwork, stairs and beams were still structurally intact. There were two main floors, a basement and a third floor that acted as a loft. The building was full of mid nineteenth century furniture, a number of alternative decorative accessories and a variety of early household wares. I quickly walked through the first three floors and didn't find much of anything. All in all - it was an interesting experience, but nothing of scholarly interest or historical importance on the three main floors.

I walked down to the basement last and this is where I found an example of early local redware. It was sold to me as a redware "wine cooler." I however, knew otherwise. It had the feel of a nineteenth century ware manufactured by an American utilitarian redware potter. The form was unique and is not expected of how most early potter's utilitarian forms are expected to appear by what we associate as styles today. The pottery form can be compared to the mid twentieth century mass produced terracotta wine coolers, but in this instance - the association was incorrect.

 19th Century New England Redware Jar

Measures: 9 1/4 Tall

Measures: 5 1/2 Inches Diameter

 Brownish Glaze Interior

Bottom of Jar

Likely Dates Between 1820-1850

A near exact form is pictured in Figure 76(A) of Watkins book, "Early New England Potters and Their Wares." The jar I found was in-fact made by James Chase in Merrimacport - exactly who Watkins attributed the jar to in her book. She described the form as a pudding or bean pot.

While I am on the topic of household utilitarian wares - I would like to point out the neglect these wares receive in the antique and collector's world today. Hollow ware represents a major portion of the output from any early American potter's business. It represents the same hands that made the more desired and highly glazed wares. Why is there no interest for both today? I feel hollow ware gets no respect and I really do not understand why. I was taught by a North Shore (Boston) collector and a collector from Portsmouth, New Hampshire that each is equally important and the more I fall into the depth of my studies - the more I see the importance. It shouldn't be all about glaze - instead, it should be about the history in which that ownership represents.

Hollow ware provides as good a detailed study of a potter's business as do the colorful glazed examples - and in some instances, more. I personally have an equal interest. I never pass up the opportunity to purchase a lesser glazed ware when the the price is reasonable. 

The majority of eighteenth century wares were partially unglazed hollow ware and I strongly feel any of these surviving examples are just as important to the study of early American ceramics as can be the $22,000 East Greenwich, Rhode Island lidded pitcher that was on the floor at one of the New Hampshire shows last week. Forget the monetary value and look at the scholarly value.

These earliest wares were almost never glazed, but each can tell individual stories of America's struggle for independence. I personally have an interest in each medium - that being the the lesser decorated versus the well decorated.

Hollow ware may even be rarer due to the everyday abuse it saw. I have heard it said time-and-time again - that being these unglazed type pots are nearly impossible to attribute. That statement in my opinion is wrong. In many instances - enough studying and quality sample sherds can help properly attributed many of these examples.

I get just as excited to come across an unglazed example of hollow ware as I do a form with a great glaze, but that's just me.

(The Ezra Porter redware jar below is likely eighteenth century and possibly an early surviving example of Maine pottery when the state's land was still a part of Massachusetts.)

 Possibly Bickford Family Redware Jar - Buxton, Me
Early to Mid 19th Century

Height: 9 1/2 Inches Tall

 Brownish Glaze on the Interior

 Likely Ezra Porter Redware Jar - Newcastle and Wiscasset, Me

Possibly an 18th Century Example

Height: 10 1/4 Inches

Interior Glaze Demonstrates Greenish and Reddish Colors

Recently, I came across a green glazed redware sherd that had washed ashore in Newburyport, Massachusetts along the Merrimac River. I was extremely excited when I saw the green glaze laying on top of a number of crushed clam shells. The white shells made the green stand out awkwardly, but still brilliantly. The sherd couldn't be missed. Nearby were tall green glasses - that mixed in with the bright sunlight - made the green sherd almost appear to glow.

I immediately thought the sherd was the work of James Chase in Merrimacport and possibly the only known representation of these self-described green glazes by John Donovan almost a century ago.

 Green Glazed Redware Sherd

Possibly a Rare Example of Chase Pottery - Merrimacport, Ma
Circa 1830 to 1865 

 Another Angle of 19th Century Redware Sherd

Close Up of Fine Green Glaze

Unglazed Interior

It can be assumed this sherd may have been the experimental glaze the Chase family pottery attempted as a product line many years before. I have never seen such a deep green glaze used on early New England redware. It reminds me of a pine tree green and similar to the greens used by the potters further north in New Hampshire of the same period.

The idea of this sherd washing down river from Merrimacport to Newburyport is quite possible. Could this be the green glaze that John Donovan described to Watkins? Is this the only remaining example of the industry that once worked in Merrimacport? There are a number of obvious questions that surround this sherd. What do you think?

Despite any concerns - the fascination and interest likely outweigh the negatives. I personally believe this small sherd to be the experimental work of the nineteenth century Chase family potters working in Merrimacport that Donovan once saw. What are you thoughts?

This is likely an example of glazed hollow ware, but in this instance - it is only glazed on the exterior. The lack of interior glaze leads me to believe it was used for some sort of dry goods storage. It was likely a part of a wonderful example of early New England pottery at one time.

Regardless of all the facts - alone it is still stands a small sample of a wonderful looking early glaze!

Much more to come...

Colonial Pottery Recovered in the Caribbean in 17th & 18th Century Archaeological Contexts

Port Royal, Jamaica was one of the largest English trading centers in the world in the late-seventeenth century. The area had a population of thousands and for nearly every three people who called it home, there was a building that supported them. Unfortunately, in 1792 a massive earthquake and tidal wave decimated the city and only a few years later there was a deadly and destructive fire.

Archaeological expeditions conducted last century have yielded a great deal of evidence to support the idea of what this city once stood for. Many of the original buildings, now underwater have been found. The ceramics assemblage recovered provides solid evidence for the type of wares that were once imported and exported from this English run Jamaican port city.

The city was originally under Spanish rule after original discovery, but it was eventually captured by the English as part of a mid-seventeenth century invasion. The English are credited with its growth in the economy and population.

However, only a few years after its seizure, the port became a safe haven for pirates. The English reportedly felt a need to protect their port, which was not heavily armored and pirates became welcome - and, it was especially open for those pirates, who were willing to defend the English harbor. The location also proved an ideal area for pirates to attack unsuspecting non-English ships. It was an area that you could say saw very little laws and demonstrated quite a bit of character.

Pottery Recovered in Jamaica

English "Border Ware" Commonly Found on Jamaican Archaeology Sites

Chamber Pot - 17th Century
Circa 1601-1667

Photo Courtesy: The Museum of London - London, England

Glazed Jamaican Redware Chamber Pot

Likely 18th Century in Origin

Photo Courtesy: An Archaeology of Black Markets

Outside of Port Royal - Jamaica as a whole saw both Spanish and British rule. The cultures from each country provided a heavy influence throughout the island, which can still be found today. This influence was seen with many of the locally produced ceramics beginning as early as the eighteenth century and the years that followed.

19th Century Jamaican Market

19th Century Jamaican Market Scene

Likely a Sunday Market

Locally Made Earthenware Noticeable in the Background

Jamaican's Saw a Heavy Influence in their Ceramics After the Spanish and English Arrived
Photo Courtesy: An Archaeology of Black Markets

The Bahamas became a British Colony in 1718 and following the American Revolution - thousands of American loyalists, who maintained ownership of African slaves relocated and began their own plantation. However, under the English rule before the American Revolution - the island likely saw many English imports and exports make their way through the area.

The Mid-Atlantic island of Bermuda saw a great population of blacks from Africa and the Spanish Caribbean before 1775. The island was home to thousands of slaves, where many worked in the tobacco fields in the early years, but eventually became active in maritime and commercial enterprises.

The Virgin Islands were governed by a number of English and continental countries that included the French, Spanish and Dutch prior to America's Independence.

Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) was initially ruled by the Spanish, but a French colony grew and like Port Royal - pirates were known in these parts, as well.

Spanish settlements grew on the island of Cuba in the early sixteenth century; however, by 1548, Cuba had appointed its own governor and all natives were declared to have their own liberty. Cuba was by far the largest island through both land mass and population in the Caribbean before 1775.

With the Caribbean and its islands acting as such a hotbed for obvious trade of all sorts before the American Revolution - it would be exciting to explore the role of American made crafts seen within each of these islands. My obvious main interest would be any examples of domestic colonial red earthenware and stoneware that migrated to any of these islands. Is there any indication of an export industry from the American colonies into any of these islands? What were the export industries (if any) from these islands into the colonies? The export of slaves is obvious and will be given very little attention, but instead, what types of ceramics did the slaves use and live with? This idea alone would be a great study.

It would also be surprising to learn if no American made wares have been found on any Caribbean archaeological sites. I believe that it can be assumed that colonial domestic pottery did find its way into islands like Jamaica, Bermuda and the Bahamas. But how about an active or slightly regular export industry from Philadelphia, New York City or Boston?

A New Hampshire antiques dealer, scholar and collector recently shared a story with me about a wonderful example of seventeenth century Westerwald, German stoneware that emerged on Bermuda twenty or so years ago. He told me that immediately jumped on a plane and flew down to purchase it, as a result of its rarity.

Pottery Recovered in Jamaica

Jamaican Red Earthenare Pot Found in Port Royal, Jamaica

Likely 18th Century in Origin

Photo Courtesy: An Archaeology of Black Markets

Jamaican Red Earthenware Sherd

Reportedly 18th Century in Origin

Photo Courtesy: Florida Museum of Natural History - Gainesville, FL

Nevertheless, what was the role of pirates? Is there any possible indication for a role they may have played within early ceramics of any origin? I am sure a few cargo ships containing ceramic loads may have been captured and ended up in unexpected hands. What happened? 

Below is a photo of an earthenware jar that was handmade in Bermuda; it was not thrown on the a potter's wheel. These artifacts were recovered by archaeologists in a pre-1742 archaeological context at Faneuil Hall in Boston, which indicates that this type of pottery was shipped to Boston.

18th Century Bermuda Pottery Recovered in Boston

18th Century Earthenware from Bermuda
Recovered at Faneuil Hall in Boston
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, MA

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