Some Information About the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass. in Comparison to Wares Made in Philadelphia that will Be Included in Forthcoming Tenth Book

Included as part of my forthcoming 500-600 page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers and Peabody, Massachusetts, is a chapter about the Wilson family pottery in South Danvers, where one family member named Joseph Wilson relocated to Dedham, Massachusetts in the early 1760s, and then to Providence, Rhode Island by 1767.

Wilson advertised in the Newport (Rhode Island) Mercury on June 22, 1767: "Joseph Wilson - potter at the North End of Providence Informs the Public that he can Supply them with Earthen Ware at a Cheap Rate, made in the best Manner and Glazed in the Same Way as Practised in Philadelphia - All Persons in this Town may be regularly supplied by Means of the Boats which constantly pass between this Place and Providence." (see below)

Interestingly, archaeological evidence recovered by Massachusetts author Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) at the site of the circa 1764-1799 Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts suggests that this business may have also been inspired by wares made in Philadelphia. For example, I acquired this mug years ago in a group lot at Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, although I knew the mug was very similar to the remains of two mugs recovered at the site of the Bayley Pottery (see below), now kept at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Those mugs were manufactured in a nearly identical shape with ribbing at the mid-section and the base when compared to mugs recovered from various contexts in Philadelphia, including a black glazed example that will be published in my forthcoming book (see below). The black glazed mug was recovered from a circa 1735-1755 context at 236 Church Street, while other examples have been recovered from 1740s-1780s contexts in Philadelphia.

There will be more information included in the book about the Bayleys in Newburyport, seeing that archaeologist Sarah Peabody Turnbaugh used this business as part of the study she did with the archaeology collected at the site of the circa 1681-1780s Salem Village Parsonage; this study was conducted in 1976 as part of her thesis at Harvard University.

Note: There will also be other examples of this possible Philadelphia influence, among other types of production published in the forthcoming tenth book.

Some Information About the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.

18th Century Red Earthenware Mug

Likely Made at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.

Probably Circa 1764-1799

Stands 6" Tall

See Article for More Information

A View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

Advertisement Placed by Joseph Wilson in the Newport Mercury in 1767

He Says He is Producing Pottery Like that Made in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

(Top) Mugs Recovered at the Site of the Daniel Bayley Pottery Co. in Newburyport, Mass.

(Bottom) Mug Recovered in Philadelphia, Circa 1735-1755

See Article for More Information

Some Information About the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.

This Will be Published in Forthcoming Tenth Book

Some Wares are Similar to Those Made in Britain and in Philadelphia

Circa 1764-1799

See Article for More Information

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

A Stoneware Jar Made in Charlestown, Mass. in 1806 with Ties to the Tarbell Family Pottery of Beverly, Mass.

Another subject that will be discussed in my forthcoming 10th book is the eighteenth and nineteenth century Tarbell family pottery of Beverly, Massachusetts. The family was related to the Osborns of Salem and South Danvers, Masssachusetts, where the original potter, William Tarbell (1754-1815), likely trained at the Osborn Pottery in South Danvers.

Among the surviving documents related to the Tarbell Pottery are four receipts owned by Historic Beverly from pharmacist Robert Rantoul Senior (1778-1858) of Beverlyin the early 1800s. The orders were for red earthenware gallipots, a small jar used by apothecaries for holding ointment or medicine.

Nevertheless, there is some evidence to suggest that the Tarbells also produced some stoneware in Beverly, which if that is the case then this would be a previously undocumented stoneware business. It may have been a similar operation as William Pecker (1754-1820), who until recently was only thought to have been a red earthenware potter in South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Massachusetts. But he was actually also a New York City trained stoneware potter, who produced some stoneware during the 1810-1820 period.

The most significant example of stoneware that has ties to the Tarbell family is a jar that is connected by family relationship, which sold at Crocker Farm in 2021 for $180,000, now kept as part of Adam Weitsman's collection at the New York State Museum: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2021-04-09/lot-1/Highly-Important-Mrs-Elesebeth-Tarbell-1806-BOSTON-Stoneware-Jar/.

Interestingly, the early nineteenth century stoneware jar was made at Frederick Carpenter’s Little Pottery in Charlestown, Massachusetts. It is dated 1806; incised on the side, “Mrs Elesebeth Tarbell 1806,” and stamped on the shoulder, “BOSTON.” Elizabeth Cook Tarbell of Lynnfield, Massachusetts was the wife of Revolutionary War veteran Jonathan Tarbell (ca. 1742-1795). Jonathan Tarbell was the first cousin of William Tarbell of Beverly; a son William Tarbell Junior (1793-1819) also became a pottery at the family business.: https://chipstone.org/images.php/826/Ceramics-in-America-2019/Eighteenth-Century-Boston-Stoneware:-Appealing-to-a-Local-Market.

Note: The Cook Pottery of South Danvers will also be a subject of a chapter in the book, which was related to Elizabeth Cook Tarbell.

A Stoneware Jar Made in Charlestown, Mass. in 1806

Early 19th Century Stoneware Presentation Jar Made in Charlestown, Mass.

Stamped "Boston" and Dated "1806"

Likely Made at Frederick Carpenter's Business

Inscribed Made for "Mrs. Elisebeth Tarbell in 1806"

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

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

Red Earthenware Recovered as Part of the Archaeology of the Circa 1679 John Balch House in Beverly, Massachusetts

There will be a lot of never before published archaeology included as part of my 500-600 page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers and Peabody, Massachusetts: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/04/an-introduction-to-archaeology-of-circa.html. I am anticipating a late 2025 or 2026 publication date.

This information will be included as part of Chapter 19 in the forthcoming book, "...The John Balch (1600-1648) House in Beverly, Massachusetts is one of the oldest wood-frame houses in the United States. Balch was born about 1600, in Bridgwater, Somerset, England. He and his wife, Margery Balch (1600-1636) were the parents of at least three sons and three daughters, some of whom were born in England, while others were born in America. The family migrated to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1623, and soon after moved to Beverly.

Balch gained title to the land that the house stands on today on November 11, 1635, through the "Thousand Acre Grant" and apparently was living on this property by 1636. 

However, in 2006, dendrochronological analysis dated the earliest portion (the right-hand side) to 1679. The southern portion of the house was built in 1721.

Nevertheless, archaeology was conducted at the Balch in 1998, where archaeologists uncovered a number of examples of domestic red earthenware. Some of the sherds were adorned with slip; some of the slip was applied on top of a black glaze, which was a technique produced in Charlestown, Massachusetts before the American Revolution. It was likely created to appear like some of the pottery made in Staffordshire, England during the period.

However, this may have also been a type produced in the Danvers and Salem, Massachusetts area since similar glazed wares were recovered at the site of the circa 1687-1709 James Kettle Pottery in Salem Village (see Chapter 1)."

The Archaeology of the John Balch House in Beverly, Mass.

The Circa 1679 John Balch House in Beverly, Mass.

Archaeology was Conducted on this Property in 1998

See Article for More Information

American Black Glazed Red Earthenware Sherds with Slip

Recovered on the Property of the John Balch House

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Historic Beverly

Archaeology of the James Kettle Pottery in Salem Village

Circa 1687-1709 Black Glazed Sherd with Slip and Kiln Brick

Recovered at the Site of the James Kettle Pottery in Salem Village

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute

Colonial Archaeology from Charlestown, Mass.

18th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Sherds with Slip Decoration

Recovered at the Site of the Parker Family Pottery in Charlestown, Mass.

Circa 1754-1755

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

18th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot with Slip Decoration

Recovered at the Site of the Three Cranes Tavern in Charlestown, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

18th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Sherd with Slip Decoration

Recovered at the Site of the Three Cranes Tavern in Charlestown, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

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

New Published Feature Story in Antiques And The Arts Weekly: Amos Seavey, A Stoneware Potter In Chelsea, Mass.

My latest feature story is published on page 28 in the current April 25, 2025 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Amos Seavey, A Stoneware Potter In Chelsea, Mass.

Here is a link to a PDF of the April 25th issue: https://antiquesandthearts.pressreader.com/antiques-and-the-arts-weekly/20250425

Here is a link to a PDF of the feature story: https://www.scribd.com/document/850696589/0425-D-028-ANA-Seavey

New Published Feature Story in Antiques And The Arts Weekly

Amos Seavey, A Stoneware Potter in Chelsea, Mass.

Published in the Current Issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly

See Above for More Information

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

A Quaker Red Earthenware Jar from Bristol County, Massachusetts that will be Published in Forthcoming Tenth Book

An object that was previously highlighted in my fifth book, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod is a red earthenware jar adorned with a Quaker hat as the finial: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/.

I consider this object to be one of the most historically significant surviving examples of red earthenware from New England, perhaps second to the mid-eighteenth century slip decorated red earthenware pot from Charlestown, Massachusetts, which is on the cover of 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/.

However, this object will be published again in my forthcoming 500-600 page tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers and Peabody, Massachusetts. 

This information will be published in my forthcoming book, "...Quakerism was one of the radical sects that emerged from the English Civil War in the 1640s with the central figure being George Fox (1624–1691), the founder of the religion. The first New England Quakers were New Englanders before they became Quakers. Most of them, or their parents, arrived from England in the great Puritan migration of the 1630s. 

Among those early Quakers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony was Lawrence (ca. 1598-1660) and Cassandra Southwick (ca. 1601-1660), who along with their children were severely persecuted for their Quaker faith in Salem in the 1650s. However, before Lawrence Southwick was a Quaker, he arrived in Salem in the 1630s, where some accounts suggest he was in the business of making glass and red earthenware with Annanias Concklin, Obadiah Holmes and William Osborne. Upon arriving in Salem, these men were also given land at Strong Water Brook, near the boundary line between Salem town and the Middle Precinct, which was between Salem and Salem Village at that time, and located today between Salem and Danvers, Massachusetts. But there is no indication that this red earthenware business ever happened.

Another attempt at red earthenware production in Salem in the late 1630s or early 1640s was with John Pride (1590-1647), who was registered as a potter in Salem. But it is unclear if he actually operated a business.

Pride was born about 1590 in England; he arrived with his wife around 1636 or 1637 in Salem. Pride's name first appears when, as a fisherman, he was granted lands on Juniper Point and Winter Islands. The town records of Salem show that he was given one-half an acre of land on Winter Harbor by their home and five acres on "Darbie Fort side" on March 20, 1636/37. He received another twenty acres in a land grant in Salem between December 26, 1636 and July 12, 1637.

John was the first recorded potter in New England, where he was registered in Salem, as early as 1641. But the Drinker family in Charlestown appears to have been the first to actually operate a pottery business in Massachusetts in the 1640s. Although, like many of the potters in Charlestown before the American Revolution, Pride was an English trained potter. He died in 1647, but there is no indication in his inventory that he owned a potter's business or any potter's supplies, such as a potter's wheel, a kiln, clay or any lead used in the glazing process of red earthenware.

The Quaker religion spread to New Jersey in the 1670s and Pennsylvania in the 1680s, where the colony of Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn (1644-1710) in 1682, as a safe place for Quakers to live and practice their faith."

Nevertheless, this red earthenware jar is a symbol of this movement, dating from the eighteenth or early nineteenth century period. It does not retain a documented history, although I suspect it was made for an event at a Quaker Meeting House in Bristol County, although there were also meeting houses in Rhode Island, as early as 1699. 

A number of the potters in Bristol County in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century were Quakers, and they were intertwined with many of the potting families in the South Danvers (Peabody) and Salem area; this was somewhat a result of the potter Daniel Purinton (ca. 1710-1764), who relocated from South Danvers to Somerset, Bristol County, Massachusetts around the mid-eighteenth century. Purinton was born about 1710 in Salisbury, Massachusetts; he was the son of James (circa 1663-1718) and Lydia Mussey Purinton (circa 1669-1737). He married Sarah Osborn (1707-1755) at Salem's Quaker Meeting House on February 2, 1726, a descendant of William Osborne, who tried to established a red earthenware business with Lawrence Southwick in the 1630s or 40s in Salem.

A Quaker Red Earthenware Jar from Bristol County, Massachusetts

18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Bristol County, Mass.

The Jar is Adorned with a Quaker Hat as the Finial

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

The Base of the Jar is Inscribed with the Letter "A"

See Article for More Information

The Base of the Lid is Inscribed with the Letter "A"

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This is George Fox (1624-1691) Wearing a Quaker Hat

See Article for More Information

This is Lawrence Southwick (ca. 1598-1660) Wearing a Quaker Hat

See Article for More Information

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

A Good 19th Century Western New York Red Earthenware Jar with Lid Sells at Crocker Farm in Maryland

Crocker Farm wrapped up another great red earthenware and stoneware auction today in Sparks, Maryland, although there was one object that I wanted to highlight, which is a really great nineteenth century red earthenware jar from Western New York. This jar actually recently surfaced in North Carolina, although it caught my attention, seeing that the only other Western New York object that I know of with this type of lid is in the collection of the LeRoy, New York Historical Society: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2025-04-11/lot-192/Exceptional-New-York-State-Redware-Jar-w-Copper-Decoration-and-Domed-Lid/.

Interestingly, the jar owned by the historical society is thought to have been made at the Nathaniel Rochester (1752-1831) Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York, circa 1818-1831, therefore I suspect this jar may have also been made at the Rochester Pottery. 

Objects made at the Rochester Pottery have done particularly well in the past few months with a slip decorated pitcher selling as part of the Carol Wahler Collection a few months ago at Crocker Farm for $9,600 including the buyers premium. Additionally, a slip decorated jar sold in a group lot at Sotheby's in January for $22,800 including the buyer's premium.

Furthermore, this jar is illustrated in my latest book that just came out, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York. The book is two-volumes, and 1,400 pages in length; each volume is about 700 pages: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/04/now-available-americas-great-awakening.html.

Nevertheless, the jar sold for $17,000 plus the buyer's premium.

Note: For some more information about the Rochester Pottery - see a feature story I wrote for the June 7, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Nathaniel Rochester's Red Earthenware Pottery: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/05/new-published-feature-story-in-antiques.html.

19th Century Western New York Red Earthenware Jar with Lid

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar with Lid from Western New York

Possibly Made at the Nathaniel Rochester Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York

Otherwise Another Potter from the WNY Region

Stands 9 1/4" with the Lid

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

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

Now Available! America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York

Now available! My ninth book came back from the printer today, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York. The book is two-volumes, and 1,400 pages in length; each volume is about 700 pages. The cost is $72 for each volume or both for $130 (see link below).

This is the format of each book (wholesale orders are available through my publisher Historic Beverly); the book focuses on red earthenware production in Western New York during the late eighteenth and nineteenth century, although Volume II also has a section that covers production elsewhere in New York State, including New York City and Long Island. Some stoneware is also discussed.

Volume I: 701 pages, Chapters 1-17

Volume II: 699 pages, Chapters 18-37

For more information on ordering the book or placing larger orders - see this link: https://historicbeverly.net/product/103125/

Now Available!

Now Available!

America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York

The Book is Two-Volumes and 1,400 Pages

See Above for More Information

Link: https://historicbeverly.net/product/103125/

This is Volume I - 701 Pages

See Above for More Information

Link: https://historicbeverly.net/product/103125/

This is Volume II - 699 Pages

See Above for More Information

Link: https://historicbeverly.net/product/103125/

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