The Origin of a Rare Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

It has been debated for decades now, where this specific style of red earthenware pitcher was manufactured going all the way back to the landmark Christopher Huntington Sale in Maine in 1974. It has been an ongoing conundrum with some who feel these pitchers were made in Maine while others say coastal Massachusetts; however, there has never been any concrete evidence to sway a proper attribution in either direction. But I now feel that I have a specific attribution for where these pitchers were made based on actual archaeological evidence.

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "The origin of an earthenware shop in Kingston, Massachusetts, formerly a part of Plymouth is uncertain. It was run by the Bradfords, circa 1780s-1870s descendants of Plymouth's early governor William Bradford (1590-1657), but where they learned their trade is a bit of a mystery. 

We visited the Bradford site in 1945 for we found quantities of sherds. Pots glazed on the inside were a common item, as elsewhere, but were peculiar in having an impressed decoration effected by a cogglewheel a little distance below the rim."

This site has since been excavated by archaeologists in the 1990s; whereas, a certain type of coggle decoration has been discovered at this site that I have not seen applied anywhere else in New England. Watkins found sherds decorated with this coggle as did archaeologists. The same coggle is found on this pitcher, where the origin has been debated for decades as Maine or coastal Massachusetts.

I now believe this is a stye of pitcher that was produced at the Bradford Pottery in Kingston in the late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century. I would certainly like to learn otherwise, but I have only seen this exact type of coggle associated with this business. For what it matters, this pitcher was also discovered decades ago along Boston's South Shore.

Note: I have included pictures of sherds that Lura Woodside Watkins donated to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian, which she collected at the site of the Bradford Pottery in Kingston, Massachusetts. The coggle decoration on some of these sherds match the coggle used on the pitcher. There are also other pitchers known today that appear related to this pitcher, but are decorated with a different coggle, which the sherds prove below that the Bradfords applied a variety of coggle decorations.

 Pitcher with History of Ownership on Boston's South Shore

 Likely Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Likely Made at the Bradford Pottery in Kingston, Mass.

Circa 1780-1820

Stands 8 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Another View of the Pitcher

 View of the Coggle Decoration

See Below for Matching Decoration from the Bradford Pottery in Kingston, Mass.

Another  View of the Coggle Decoration

See Below for Matching Decoration from the Bradford Pottery in Kingston, Mass.

 Sherds Recovered by Lura Woodside Watkins

18th & 19th Century Sherds Recovered at the Site of the Bradford Pottery in Kington, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

The Coggle Decoration on the Circled Sherds Match the Coggle Found on the Pitcher

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

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A Wonderful Example of Essex County, Massachusetts Red Earthenware that Sold Last Month at Skinner in Boston

Last month, Skinner sold a large group of red earthenware at their auction gallery in Boston, which was consigned from at least two different collections - among that pottery was an excellent example of late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century red earthenware from South Danvers (today known as Peabody), Massachusetts. This double-handled jar closely resembles two single-handled pots in form and glaze, which were excavated from a privy by archaeologists within a circa 1770-1810 archaeological context at the Narbonne House in Salem, Massachusetts.

I have always associated this type of form and glaze with the Osborn family in South Danvers; however, that does not mean that another potter's business wasn't also manufacturing a similar style. After all, there were dozens of red earthenware companies in South Danvers during this period and they must have influenced one another. There must have been potters, who bounced between the various businesses, as well.

A characteristic about this jar that I really enjoyed was the use of combed incised decoration that extended entirely around the jar in straight and wavy patterns; whereas, this is also a characteristic that was popular with this industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Note: Here is a link to the auction listing through Skinner's website, where this lot actually sold for a bargain price.

Essex County, Mass. Red Earthenware Jar

(Right) Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to the Industry in Danvers/Peabody, Mass.

Stands 10" Tall

Link to Auction Listing

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc. - Boston

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A 19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Sherd Recovered in Merrimacport, Massachusetts

Last night, I posted the following images of this cobalt decorated stoneware sherd, which I had thought may have been made in Merrimacport, Massachusetts, circa 1790-1820. The context that this sherd was discovered is where I have been recovering all of the artifacts related to William Pecker's stoneware production; however, the manufacture of this sherd is different than what is known about Pecker's production today.

This sherd was recovered from a hill that has been previously left undisturbed, which in recent years has fallen victim to erosion from the Merrimack River. The erosion is what has drawn these artifacts out from the hill, which appears more like a cliff today. I travel to this site every few months to see what else has emerged, but I never dig for any of the material.

Yesterday, I found the sherd laying on a section of the hill that had been affected by coastal storms earlier this fall; whereas, stoneware kiln furniture from Pecker's production was also laying directly next to it, as well as salt-glazed stoneware sherds that were also presumably made by Pecker.

If this sherd was not produced locally, then I still find it intriguing since it was preserved in what was until recently an undisturbed archaeological context; a context that contains kiln waste from Pecker's stoneware production and some red earthenware production. The artifacts from this context also appear to be exclusive to the local potteries. Nonetheless, I have not seen any unrelated artifacts, such as glass, iron, bones, trash, etc., yet.

I should also mention that stoneware found in this part of Massachusetts in late-eighteenth and nineteenth century archaeological contexts more-often-than-not is usually from the industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Any thoughts?

Note: Here is a link to the introductory article that I posted yesterday about this sherd.

Stoneware Sherd Recovered in Merrimacport, Mass.

19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Sherd Recovered in Merrimacport, Mass.

See Article for More Information 

Interior of the Sherd

See Article for More Information 

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An Impressive Cobalt Decorated Sherd Recovered Today In Merrimacport, Massachusetts

It is well-documented today that William Pecker (1758-1820), an eighteenth and early-nineteenth century potter in Merrimacport, Massachusetts produced a lot of skilled red earthenware in the span of his career; although, it is lesser known today that he was also an accomplished stoneware potter. I recently posted an article to this website that analyzed the stoneware production, and provided links to all of the known published material.

However, it is also thought that Pecker applied only subtle amounts of cobalt decoration to highlight some impressed characters, such as birds, flowers and fish, as well as his own stamp, "Wm PECKER" and sometimes he also highlighted handles in cobalt. But until today, I had never seen any evidence, which would suggest that he embellished his stoneware with further amounts of cobalt.

Nevertheless, it is also possible that Pecker used cobalt as a means of decoration based on a sherd that I discovered today at the site of Pecker's pottery. I recovered this sherd surrounded by stoneware kiln furniture and undecorated salt-glazed sherds. This newly discovered sherd is heavily decorated with cobalt; whereas, this sherd may suggest Pecker also produced some cobalt decorated stoneware, circa 1790-1820, which was not only used to highlight stamps and related decorations.

But it has also been suggested that this sherd may be unrelated to Pecker; rather, it may have somehow been mixed in with some of Pecker's kiln waste years ago. I guess only time will tell if this sherd is related.

Note: It is clear from the kiln evidence that I have recovered in recent years at the site of William Pecker's pottery in Merrimacport, Massachusetts that he manufactured a bunch of stoneware before 1820. But it appears that very-little of that production has survived; although, I now wonder if the combination of some of the known Pecker stoneware forms with this newly discovered sherd could lead to the discovery of some previously undocumented pieces, which were thought to have been made elsewhere. I am also curious to know where Pecker was taught how to manufacture stoneware, whether it be from the potters in Charlestown, Massachusetts, New York City or another industry.

Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Sherd

 Stoneware Sherd Discovered Today in Merrimacport, Mass.

Recovered at the Site of Where William Pecker Produced Red Earthenware and Stoneware

Possibly Made in Merrimacport, Mass.

Possibly Circa 1790-1820

See Article for More Information

Interior of the Sherd

See Article for More Information

Stoneware Kiln Furniture

  Stoneware Kiln Furniture Discovered Today in Merrimacport, Mass.

Recovered at the Site of Where William Pecker Produced Red Earthenware and Stoneware

Circa 1790-1820

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Kiln Furniture

See Article for More Information

Salt-Glazed Stoneware Sherds

 Salt-Glazed Stoneware Sherds Discovered Today in Merrimacport, Mass.
Recovered at the Site of Where William Pecker Produced Red Earthenware and Stoneware
Circa 1790-1820
See Article for More Information

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Swansea, Massachusetts Merchant, Preserved Pierce's Colonial Account Book, Circa 1757-1766

According to the book written by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' "The potters Isaac and Samuel Upton of East Greenwich, Rhode Island fame, were a part of the potter's community for a time in Berkely, Massachusetts before 1771."

However, there is not much evidence known today that can identify the type of work that the Uptons may have been involved with in Berkely; although, I assume they may have been employed at a local pottery. This is also likely where they learned the potter's craft prior to establishing their own business in East Greenwich about 1771.

Yesterday, I was surprised to hear "Isaac Upton's" name from "Berkely" referenced in a merchant's account book, which I learned about earlier this year from Falmouth, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Hilary Nolan. This colonial account book chronicles the trade of a merchant from southeastern Massachusetts, circa 1757-1766; whereas, the book was originally discovered in Pennsylvania by Sagamore, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Brian Cullity and sold to Winterthur in Delaware. It is now kept in the museum's library.

According to Winterthur, "Preserved Pierce (1736-1798) was a merchant in Swansea, Massachusetts, who traded along the coast in Rhode Island and Connecticut with wooden and pewter goods, pottery, and tools for craftsmen. He carried small quantities of imported tea and dry goods, and numerous different agricultural goods from the Swansea area. The records that Pierce kept are excellent of purchases he made with farmers and craftsmen to fill his vessels for the outbound voyages."

Nevertheless, Pierce's account book also reveals that he was purchasing red earthenware directly from potters in southeastern Massachusetts in the late-1750s and 1760s. Those potters include Isaac Upton, Caleb Purinton and John Law. In some instances, Pierce only documented that he had purchased an order of "Earthen Ware," but there are other records that are a lot more specific with forms, such as chamber pots, etc.

I feel it is well-documented today that red earthenware, made in places, such as the industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts was shipped throughout coastal New England before 1775. There are even some instances, where potters like Samuel Marshall was purchasing wholesale orders of pottery from Charlestown to sell in Portsmouth, New Hampshire before 1750.

But Pierce's account book is proof that merchant's were also exporting pottery used in trade from one location to the next. This may also explain how a wonderful slip-decorated pan that appears like it was made in Massachusetts before the American Revolution was recently discovered by archaeologists at the site of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson in North Carolina.

Note: Preserved Pierce's account book from Swansea, Massachusetts was also just referenced in 'Art and Industry in Early America: Rhode Island Furniture, 1650-1830,' which was just published by Yale University in 2016.

Preserved Pierce's Account Book, Circa 1757-1766

The Cover of Preserved Pierce's Account Book, Circa 1757-1766

Pierce was a Merchant from Swansea, Mass.

Among the Goods he Purchased was Red Earthenware from SE Mass. that he Used in Trade

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Winterthur

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19th Century Stamped Dodge Pottery Sherd Recovered at the Site of Francis O.J. Smith's "Forest Home" in Portland, Maine

According to the Deering Center Neighborhood Association in Portland, Maine, "In the fall of 2014, archaeologist Norm Buttrick supervised an educational survey at the historic site of the Francis O.J. Smith estate in the heart of Baxter Woods in Portland. Maine.

Working with students from McAuley High School, which is itself located on the former Smith estate, several pits were explored based on the scant knowledge known about the estate.

"Forest Home" was the beloved estate of Maine Congressman, newspaper editor, and entrepreneur, Francis Ormand Jonathan Smith (1806-1876). It was situated near Steven's Plain in the town of Deering, then a part of the city of Westbrook. 

1871 Map of Deering, Maine

1871 Map of the Town of Deering, ME

The Location of Francis O.J. Smith's "Forest Home" is Shown

Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

In 1835, Smith commissioned noted architect, Asher Benjamin (1773-1845) to build what would become a grand residence, the scene of much "high living and lavish expenditure" as local newspaper clippings of the day described it.

Smith's legacy, as it is, remains largely unknown. In politics, he is remembered as a Jacksonian Democrat who supported the Union in the Civil War but not the abolition of slaves. His business dealings with Samuel F. Morse (1791-1872), in the invention of the telegraph, left the partnership in tatters. His prolific and provocative newspaper dealings earned him a host of enemies. His lavish lifestyle and shady banking practices left him penniless, when he died of heart disease at Forest Home in 1876.

In 1878, the estate was sold to James Phinney Baxter (1831-1921). Baxter, in turn, sold most of the estate to Bishop Healey (1830-1900) of Portland in 1881. However, Baxter tore down "Forest Home" and his son, Percival (1876-1969) deeded the remainder of the land to the City for use as a bird sanctuary in the twentieth century."

I had never previously seen any marked archaeological evidence from the multigenerational Dodge Pottery (circa 1790s-1876) in Portland until the archaeology report from this site was brought to my attention by the Maine Historical Society in Portland. The Dodges produced skilled red earthenware in a variety of forms, which included a prized vibrant green-glaze often applied to flowerpots; whereas, archaeologists recovered a marked sherd that partially read, "B. DODGE / PORTLAND," which is a very-rare impressed mark used by the Dodges in the 1800s. There are only a small amount of objects known today that bear this mark, which include a pan and flowerpot owned by Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, two flowerpots and an urn owned by the Maine Historical Society and at least one piece owned privately.

Note: There will be an article that I have written about the Dodge family's production in New Hampshire and Maine in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which is scheduled to be published in the February 2018 edition of Maine Antique Digest.

Portland Pottery Sherd Recovered at the Site of Francis O.J. Smith's Forest Home

19th Century Red Earthenware Sherd from the Benjamin Dodge Pottery in Portland, ME

The Sherd is Marked "B. DODGE / PORTLAND"

Made Before 1876

Recovered at the Site of Francis O.J. Smith's "Forest Home" in Portland

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

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Slip-Decorated Sherds Recovered at the Site of the Waite-Kirby-Potter House in Westport, Massachusetts

According to the Westport Historical Society in southeastern Massachusetts, "The Waite-Kirby-Potter House has long been considered important as one of Westport's oldest buildings, and it is depicted on the town seal. Although the house itself is no longer standing, a cellar hole and two adjoining chimney's remain. 

The Waite family owned the property from 1663-1728 and built the first house, a single room stone-ender. Stone end houses are characteristic of the Narragansett Basin, which includes Westport. Most examples are found in Rhode Island, and the Waite-Kirby-Potter House is a rare example of the type found in Massachusetts. 

The Kirby family owned the home from 1728-1838. The Kirbys were responsible for the home's major architectural changes with expanded rooms, an additional chimney and overall, doubling the size of the house.

The Potter family occupied the property after 1838 living in a new house, although, they still continued to use and improve the old stone end house. The glass and ceramics recovered from this context illuminate an aspect about the lives of the mid-nineteenth century Potter family. Older ceramics were recovered within this deposit, such as an eighteenth century Rhenish stoneware tankard from Germany and a posset pot, indicating the family kept important or useful items until they were no longer serviceable.

In 1940, this building was reportedly the oldest standing structure in all of southeastern Massachusetts. The home may have been extensively damaged by a hurricane in 1944, and although the building fell into disrepair and was dismantled in the 1950s, structural elements including the stone chimney base are still visible today."

Waite-Kirby-Potter House in Westport, Mass.

Waite-Kirby-Potter House in Westport, Mass.

Built Circa 1663

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Westport Historical Society

The site of the Waite-Kirby-Potter House was excavated in the fall of 2009 by archaeologists from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. It was reported that the majority of the domestic red earthenware recovered was manufactured by New England potters. However, I was surprised to see the remains of an eighteenth or early-nineteenth century slip-decorated plate with crimped edges illustrated in the archaeology report from 2010. They were recovered within a circa 1750-1820 archaeological context, which suggest that they belonged to the Kirby family's ownership of the property.

These remains certainly appear like slipware made in Philadelphia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; although, this would not be the first time that red earthenware from Philadelphia has been recovered within an archaeological context in New England.

The potters in Philadelphia are known to have exported red earthenware to places, such as Delaware, New York City and Albany, New York; whereas, it appears that some Philadelphia red earthenware may have made its way into New England, as well.

Further proof of Philadelphia pottery found in New England is likely represented by two intact large red earthenware dishes that are owned today by the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts and Historic New England. Both of these dishes retain histories of ownership in Massachusetts from the 1800s.

Other examples of domestic red earthenware recovered at this site include utilitarian pots only glazed on the interior, a green-glazed bottle possibly made in southeastern Massachusetts, a black-glazed bowl also possibly from southeastern Massachusetts and a green-glazed bowl, which may be similar to the wonderful red earthenware bowl that I wrote about last night.

Note: Here is a link to the archaeology report for the Waite-Kirby-Potter House in Westport, Massachusetts. I also apologize for the quality of this image, but it is the only picture that I currently have access to that shows these slip-decorated sherds with crimped edges.

Slip-Decorated Sherds Recovered at the Site of the Waite-Kirby-Potter House

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Likely Made in Philadelphia

Recovered at the Site of the Waite-Kirby-Potter House in Westport, Mass.

Found Within a Circa 1750-1820 Archaeological Context

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: University of Massachusetts at Boston Archaeology Department

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