14 - - Antiques & Auction News — November 22, 2019 antiquesandauctionnews.

net

Potters On The Merrimac: A Century Of New England Ceramics

By Justin W. Thomas
Whether it has been a
major pottery exhibit at the
McKissick Museum at the
University of South Carolina in
Columbia or at the Landis
Valley Museum in Lancaster,
Pa., I have noticed throughout
the country the passion that
collectors and historians have
for their local utilitarian pot-
tery production from the 18th
and 19th century. This excite-
ment is even found at the
smallest of museums.
However, for the past
decade or so, I have visualized
an exhibit demonstrating the
rich history of pottery produc-
tion for where I live, about 35
miles north of Boston in
Newburyport, Mass. The idea
behind this display is a first
for the area, a selection of
pottery like none other previ-
ously exhibited. The exhibit
would feature everything from
local Colonial production
right up through the art pot-
tery manufactured in the early
20th century.
In the fall of 2018, I decid-
ed it was now or never, and I
contacted the Custom House
Maritime Museum in
Newburyport to gauge their
interest in such an exhibit. I
thought the museum would
be a perfect spot, being locat-
ed downtown and along the
picturesque Merrimack River.
The museum’s curator, Kevin
McDonald, was receptive to
the idea.
For the last ten months, I
have worked with McDonald
and the assistant director of
A six gallon stoneware jar (left) made
by William Pecker is impressed on
each side with a bird, a flower and two
busts of George Washington, also
marked with the initials, “S.H.” A two-
gallon stoneware jar (right) made by
William Pecker is impressed with a
bird and a flower and published in the
2004 edition of “Ceramics in
America.” Image courtesy William
Chapman III.
ADVANCE AUCTION NOTICE
the museum, Sean Palmatier,
bringing the vision to reality.
The end result, being an
exhibit like no other that I
have seen in Essex County,
Mass., featuring many of the
best and most important
objects ever created in the
Newburyport area.
The History of Pottery
Production in the
Newburyport, Mass., Area
Settled in 1635, the city of
Newburyport was originally
part of the Newberry
Plantation (now Newbury),
which was inhabited by
English colonists from
Wiltshire, England, in the
northeastern part of coastal
Massachusetts. Waterways
were certainly a major draw
for these early settlers, with
the area being surrounded by
the Merrimack River and the
Parker River. The port city
quickly became prosperous
as a popular fishing and trad-
ing center, and it turned to
agricultural needs.
With this success came a
growth in population, and
hundreds of first period and
Georgian style homes were
built in the area. A demand
quickly grew for artisans,
laborers, imported goods and
household utilitarian wares.
In a matter of time,
Newburyport was formed in
1764, when the General Court
of Massachusetts passed an
act for erecting part of the
town of Newbury into a new
town by the name of
Newburyport.
One of Essex County’s
earliest pottery businesses
was a company owned by
Joseph Bayley (1701-61) who
My niece, Alexis, is holding stoneware Lowder’s Trading Post in Veazie,
kiln furniture recovered at the site of Maine, within a ca. 1775-79
the William Pecker Pottery in archaeological context. Image
Merrimacport, Mass.
Here is part of the exhibit, “Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England
Ceramics” at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, Mass.
established his business dur-
ing the 1720s in Rowley, Mass.
Bayley and his wife left
Rowley in 1735, when they
were removed from the
church, and relocated with
their four children to Newbury
(Newburyport). Joseph contin-
ued to produce red earthen-
ware in Newbury until the
early 1760s, when his son,
Daniel (1729-92), became
owner of the business.
By 1763, Daniel had relo-
cated to High Street next to St.
Paul’s Church in Newbury,
which became Newburyport
the following year, and this is
where he built his pottery
business. The Bayley Pottery
eventually turned into a fami-
ly enterprise and also
employed potters who were
not immediate relatives, such
as John Thomas (1754-1843) in
the 1770s and 1780s, a native
of Gloucester, Mass., who
went on to establish the
industry in North Yarmouth
(known as Yarmouth after
1849), Maine, about 1791.
A jug attributed to the Bayley Pottery
was recovered at the site of Jonathan
courtesy the University of Maine.
This is another view of the exhibit “Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New
England Ceramics.”
The wares made at the
Bayley Pottery were not only
intended for the local market-
place. Based on archaeology,
pottery was distributed
throughout New England, with
examples found in Salem,
Massachusetts, Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, Historic
Westbrook, Maine, possibly
Wellfleet, Massachusetts on
Cape Cod, as well as the site
of Colonial trading posts in
Veazie, Maine and Saint John,
New Brunswick.
Archaeological evidence
recovered by Massachusetts The exhibit catalog, “Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England
author Lura Woodside Ceramics,” is available in the Custom House Maritime Museum’s bookstore in
Watkins (1897-1982) at the site Newburyport, Mass., as well as Amazon.com.
of the pottery was published
in 1950 in “Early New England The evidence shows an century through 1775, but this
Potters and Their Wares.” A emphasis devoted to the pro- industry was leveled at the
Route 1 underpass was con- duction of slipware, a style of Battle of Bunker Hill on June
structed through the Bayley decoration applied with liquid 17, 1775, during the siege of
site in 1934, revealing an kaolin clay. The known forms Boston in the early stages of
excellent collection of arti- decorated in slip include the American Revolution.
facts now owned by the chamber pots, plates, pans As a result, some of the
National Museum of American and porringers, while other Charlestown potters relocat-
History at the Smithsonian styles combine various forms ed, such as Benjamin Bodge
Institute in Washington, D.C. of bowls, jugs, mugs and flow- (1747-1822), who moved in
erpots. The glazes range from about 1775 to Merrimacport
dark colors like black and (then South Amesbury), Mass.,
brown to more colorful glazes a small village located along
such as green. the Merrimack River just
Nevertheless, the land- upriver from Amesbury and
scape of the New England Newburyport. Bodge married
pottery industry changed Susanna Pecker in Haverhill
drastically with the American on Sept. 27, 1770, but the
Revolution. The industry in extent of his pottery produc-
This is kiln furniture recovered at the Charlestown, Mass., had been tion in the area is unknown
site of the Phineas Chase Pottery in a centralized production cen- today.
Merrimacport, Mass. ter in New England in the 17th Continued on page 15
21st Century Antiques
Autumn Doll & Toy Auctions
Dolls ~ SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019
Both sales held at the Burlington City VFW,
159 West Pearl Street, BURLINGTON, NJ 08016
PREVIEW 11 A.M. • AUCTION 12:30 P.M.
Join us for a weekend of dolls and toys!
Composition: Alexander, Trudy, Monica, Arranbee, Effanbee, other American makers. Variety of German Bisque: (AM,

LIVE ANTIQUE PUBLIC AUCTION

Will Sell the Following for John Hollinger, Sr. Estate, Emmitsburg, MD, Several Local Estates and
Others located at the COCHRAN AUCTION COMPLEX, 7704 Mapleville Road,
BOONSBORO, WASH. CO., MARYLAND
Simon Halbig, more) & compo characters, China & stone bisque tinies, early cloth Molleye, Argentinean, & Klumpe.
Hard Plastic: Toni, Alexander Poor Cinderella & Binnie Walker, Mary Hoyer, Gigi tagged gown, Vogue Ginny & Jill,
Buddy Lee, Betsy McCall, ++. Mid century fashion dolls from Horsman, Mattel vintage & newer Barbies, Ideal Revlon,
Dollikin, Gene, Alex, etc. Artist dolls by Middleton, Sasha, Tonner, Julie Good-Krueger, Bluette, Robin Woods, Zook,
Terri Lee, more. Modern collectibles Shirley Temple, Cabbage Patch, American Girl dolls and accessories, minis set.
Fun additions: Wood folding dollhouse, people and furniture, doll clothing, wigs, parts, accessories, Littlechap folding
rooms, few Steiff animals, folk art country kitchen, more unlisted.

on: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2019 • 9:00 A.M. - Building #5 Toys ~ MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019
Antiques & Furniture - Walnut Marble Washstand w/Splash Board, Softwood Washstand, Oak Table w/(6) Oak Chairs, Preview 4 P.M. • AUCTION 5 P.M.
Oak Bar Stools, Stands, Jelly Cupboard, Items Coming Daily; (3) Large Scrap Metal Sculpture Robots - approximately 8 feet TV, Movie & Monster - many MOC: Alien(s), Star Trek, Ghostbusters, Marx Universal Monsters figures, books
tall; Soda Machines; Signs; Coin Ops; Coin Operated Scales; Advertising Items; Fire Memorabilia from the Estate of John w/classic Monster Posters, Micro-machines, 60’s eraser monster heads & glowing nails OSS. Adult Spiderman Costumes
Hollinger, Sr.; Glassware & Dishes - 100+ Pieces of Heisey - Punch Bowl, 3 Light Candelabra w/Prisms, Beer Steins, Oyster MIP, Monster Little Big Heads MOC, Mattel Popeye Jack in box - working, other J-I-T-boxes, Ideal Punkin Puss figs.
Plates, Old Horsey Distillery Bottle - Burkettsville, MD, from Magilla Gorilla, FAO Schwartz Batman Set NRFB, Transformer weapons & figs., Limited Edition Print Warner
Etc.; Pictures & Frames; Collectibles; Miscellaneous Brothers characters eating lunch on steel girder w/old workers. Antique: larger scale German Steam toy, wooden animals
Household Items; Box Lots and Many Other Articles incl. Schoenhut circus parts, Triggie Bagatelle, 5 & Dime, CI Pickup, tin litho water can, globes w/defunct airlines on
too Numerous to Mention. base, German Putz +. Pressed Steel: Smith-Miller Armored Truck, Doepke road grader, 1958-69 Tonkas - from large
TERMS: Cash or Approved Check with Positive Identification. to mini size, John Deere Tractors, German Cement mixer, Marx, Nylint, Diecast Burago & Maisto in larger scales.
Not Responsible for Accidents. Lunch Rights Reserved. Original Corgi 007 Silver Jag, Military: Tanks & other vehicles for Dioramas & single larger scale weaponry. Ultimate
AUCTIONEERS: Soldier Military Playset MIB, 68 Flock Joe, newer Joes, vehicles, Equipment +, Accessories for 3½ Joes. Disney: Early
James G. Cochran, Jamie V. Cochran Fisher-Price Donald Duck, Mickey Mousketeer costume, tray puzzles, Fantasia plush characters, original re-release
movie poster of Fantasia 1990. Early Pinocchio Poster, original Disney artist pencil sketch & finished movie cel - framed.
CLERKS: Everett Soldiers incl. Barclay, Deetails, Britains, Beton, Rel Indian Playset w/box +. Eclectic Mix: 60’s Halloween plastic Jack-
Now Accepting all Kinds of Merchandise O-Lanterns, matched pair Hubley cap rifles, Ohio Art Shooting Gallery, Tin WU German rooster, 1939-64 World’s Fair
for Upcoming Auctions. & cereal premiums. Tom Mix straight shooter compass keychain, Artist’s handmade marble, jars of machine marbles,
Call 301-739-0538 for more Information. BO Poodle MIB, Biggest size J. Chein Easter Cart, Circus Bucket, WU Walking Duck family MIB, Fantastic fabric with
OPEN Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. old comic book covers on it. Thaller & other German HO train related. Cardboard buildings, trains HO & larger scales
Check out our website incl. American Flyer set + accessories. Very limited list. More coming in for a 400 lot sale!
Directions: From North - Rt. 295 S. to Burlington/Mount Holly Exit. 541 North/west toward Burlington. Once in Burlington
CochranAuctions.com City, 541 becomes High Street. Continue on High street into Burlington, cross Rt. 130. Turn left on West Pearl - last left
for more Details, Listing & Photos. you can make. VFW is about 2 blocks up on right. From Phila.: 95 N. to Betsy Ross Bridge, cross into New Jersey. Rt. 130
North for about 10 miles. Left on High Street (Rt. 541). Follow above directions. Signs posted. Food on site. Terms: Cash
or Check w/proper ID. CC w/3% processing fee. 10% Buyer’s Premium to benefit the Called to Hope Adoption Fundraiser.
New Jersey sales tax collected w/o a valid resale number.
Absentee & Phone bids welcome. Please call or email by 9 P.M. EST Friday, November 22.
Questions? Call 609-877-6843 or email dolltoy@hotmail.com. Day of sale 609-560-3247.
Auctioneer not responsible for accidents.
R051362

R051445

Check auctionzip.com ID# 1049 for pics. and more details on both sales.
CHRIS DOERNER, AUCTIONEER