Delft - Imported From Holland or England |
COLONIAL POTTERY
Growing up in a military family and surrounded by housewares
from all over the world, I was intrigued with our collection of Asian and
European china and pottery. My favorite place in a department store was the
china department, where I’d wander the isles studying and admiring the hundreds
of different patterns, some new and some historic.
Fascinated by the colonial period, I discovered some
interesting information about the pottery our American ancestors were using for
practical as well as decorative purposes.
As I began studying the origins of pottery and ceramics in
America , I discovered
there is some evidence that various Native Americans made and used pottery before
Europeans inhabited what is now the United
States . Not surprisingly, more than one
state takes credit for being the location where the first American pottery was
made. Whether it is Georgia, Virginia ,
or New England , one common thread was that colonists began
making pottery around 1730. Not to minimize the potters of different locales, here’s
what I learned of Virginia ’s “Poor
Potter”.
The "Poor Potter" of Yorktown Factory |
One normally associates Yorktown ,
Virginia with the
last major battle of the Revolutionary War, or the 1862 Peninsula Campaign
during the American Civil War. However, it also claims to be the site of
America ’s first
pottery factory built in the early eighteenth century. Making pottery was no
easy feat as colonials were prohibited from manufacturing domestic products in
order to protect British commercial interests. Colonials were restricted to
providing only the raw materials to be shipped to and manufactured in England .
The completed wares would then be sold back to the colonists, with a surcharge
for transportation back and forth going to the East India Company. How William
Rogers had the approval of Virginia ’s
royal governor to make pottery is unknown. But, from 1732 to 1745, Lt. Governor
Sir William Gooch, in official reports to the Lord’s of the Board of Trade
regarding Yorktown potter William Rogers, the implication was made that the
“poor potter” was no threat to British trade.
Inside the Yorktown Factory |
Rogers, a businessman and not a potter, was the owner of
the expanding operation which was producing large amounts of earthenware and
stoneware to supply the needs of the colonists. Archaeological remains revealed
that the large enterprise included two pottery kilns and a large work area
which would have been manned by a large staff that made two dozen different
kinds of earthenware and stoneware products. The quality of Roger’s pottery was
thought to be equal to that of British potters. Some of his salt-glazed
stoneware unearthed ranged from chamber pots, kitchen and tableware, to storage
jars.
Redware with Designs |
Here are some pictures of what was commonly found in the
colonies.
Redware Porringer |
Blue & Grey Salt Glaze |
Clark and I just visited and took a bunch of pictures, too, Janet! Thanks for the post. This is only a few miles from my home yet I had never seen it. Fascinating history to it. It is funny how the British tried to mock the "poor" potter yet he did quite well it seems!
ReplyDeleteI think Lt. Governor, Sir William Gooch was trying to give him cover and used the term,"poor potter", not to minimize his successful enterprise, but to justify it to the Lords of the Board of Trade.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Carrie.
Wonderful post, Janet. Colonial pottery and china is dear to my heart. I've been collecting a bit of Wedgwood when I can. The old colonial patterns are so beautiful. Love the history you delve into here:) Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura.
ReplyDeleteI have Wedgwood Queensware and a few pieces of Jasper Ware from my mom.
I love that essentially, the acting Royal Governor gave William Rogers a "pass" so he could continue making pottery.
Thank you, Janet. In one of my WsIP I have a colonial Quaker lady setting dough to rise in a wooden bowl. I just may have to change that to earthenware, now. More research.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about that, Judith. Wooden bowls, plates, as well as pewter were also widely used. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteSpanish potters were making wares in 1580 in South Carolina, English potters arrived in first in Virg and were working by 1650 in Salem Massachusetts.
ReplyDelete