North Devon Pottery and Its Export to America in the 17th Century Informative Summary

Overview:

This article explores the significant trade in North Devon pottery to America during the 17th century. It reveals that the colonists of this period enjoyed a higher standard of living than previously thought, with access to a wide variety of goods from their mother country. The article focuses on two distinct types of North Devon pottery: sgraffito ware, a decorative earthenware with incised designs, and gravel-tempered ware, a coarse and utilitarian type used for cooking and storage. The article highlights the importance of these pottery types as indicators of cultural and economic levels in the colonies, while also revealing insights into the manufacturing process, trade routes, and distribution patterns of the time.

The article also provides historical context, emphasizing the strong trade ties between North Devon and the American colonies during the 17th century. The towns of Barnstaple and Bideford played a crucial role in this trade, with numerous shipmasters and merchants involved in transporting goods across the Atlantic. The article uses detailed information from port books, archival records, and archaeological evidence to paint a vivid picture of this vital trade relationship.

Key Findings:

North Devon pottery was a major export to America during the 17th century, showcasing a strong trade link between England and its colonies.
Two distinct types of North Devon pottery, sgraffito ware and gravel-tempered ware, were popular in the colonies, providing insights into the colonists’ lifestyles and economic situations.
North Devon pottery was distributed widely across the American colonies, from Jamestown, Virginia, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, indicating its significance in colonial life.
The style of sgraffito ware found in colonial sites is unique, reflecting Continental influences and blending well with contemporary English and colonial furniture and decorative styles.
Gravel-tempered ware and ovens were popular in the colonies, highlighting the need for durable kitchenware and baking facilities, especially in areas lacking access to traditional brick ovens.

Learning:

Colonial Life: The article provides a glimpse into the daily lives of early American colonists, revealing their access to goods from England, including pottery. The presence of decorative sgraffito ware suggests a degree of wealth and an appreciation for aesthetics, while the prevalence of gravel-tempered ware showcases the practical needs of colonial life.
Trade and Culture: The article underscores the vital role of trade in shaping cultural exchanges between England and its colonies. The presence of North Devon pottery in various colonial sites highlights the influence of English culture on American life, even in early settlements.
North Devon Pottery: The article introduces the reader to North Devon pottery, highlighting its distinctive characteristics, including its unique styles of decoration and the use of gravel as temper. It also provides insights into the manufacturing process and the origins of the clay used in its production.
Historical Context: The article delves into the historical context of the 17th century, emphasizing the importance of trade for England and its colonies, particularly during the period following the Stuart Restoration. It also sheds light on the social and political dynamics of the time, including the rise of Puritanism and the influence of Huguenot artisans.

Historical Context:

The text was written in the context of the early 20th century, when a renewed interest in the history of American colonization was emerging. The article reflects the growing use of archaeological evidence to understand the past, and it incorporates detailed information from various excavations across colonial sites. It also showcases a shift in scholarly understanding of colonial life, acknowledging the higher standard of living and access to goods enjoyed by colonists in the 17th century.

Facts:

Sgraffito ware was a significant export from North Devon to America in the 17th century. The article presents substantial evidence of its presence in various colonial sites, including Jamestown, Virginia, and Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Sgraffito ware is a unique style of pottery, distinct from other English pottery of the period. The article emphasizes the unique design elements and motifs that set it apart, suggesting potential influences from Continental traditions.
North Devon potters used a specific clay from Fremington clay beds in their production. The article describes the unique qualities of this clay, its suitability for pottery making, and its accessibility to North Devon potters.
Gravel-tempered ware was a practical and durable choice for kitchenware in the colonies. The article emphasizes its strength, resistance to breakage, and suitability for cooking and food storage.
Gravel-tempered ovens were a unique feature of North Devon pottery and were used in both England and America. The article describes their construction, the materials used in their creation, and the methods used to heat and operate them.
The North Devon pottery trade was closely linked to the growing demand for goods in the American colonies. The article emphasizes the importance of trade for both England and its colonies, highlighting the involvement of shipmasters, merchants, and factors in the process.
The North Devon pottery trade experienced a surge in activity following the Stuart Restoration in 1660. This period saw increased shipping activity and a greater demand for goods in the colonies, leading to a significant rise in exports of North Devon pottery.
North Devon pottery was transported in large quantities across the Atlantic, with entire cargo loads reaching Boston by 1688. The article provides specific examples of ships and cargo volumes to illustrate the scale of the trade.
The style of sgraffito ware found in colonial sites suggests potential influences from Continental traditions, particularly from the Netherlands and France. The article explores the possibility of Huguenot and Netherlands Protestant artisans contributing to the design and techniques used in North Devon sgraffito ware.
The use of gravel as temper in pottery was a distinct feature of North Devon pottery, not found in other English or colonial American potteries. The article highlights the unique qualities of this technique, emphasizing its practicality and durability for kitchenware.
North Devon potters used a combination of traditional techniques and innovative designs in their production. The article discusses the use of the wheel for turning, molds for shaping, and the application of slip and glaze to decorate and protect the pottery.
The demand for North Devon pottery in America declined by the mid-18th century, largely due to the emergence of new pottery centers and shifts in taste. The article identifies the rise of Staffordshire and Bristol pottery centers, as well as the increasing popularity of delftware and other styles, as factors in the decline of North Devon’s pottery industry.
North Devon pottery was an important part of the cultural exchange between England and its colonies. The article emphasizes the influence of English culture on American life, showcasing how pottery played a role in shaping colonial lifestyles and providing a glimpse into the diverse tastes and needs of the time.
The archaeological evidence suggests that sgraffito ware was primarily used for decorative purposes in colonial homes. The article points to the intricate designs, variety of motifs, and potential use on court cupboards and dressers as evidence of its decorative function.
Gravel-tempered ware was a practical and durable choice for everyday kitchen use in the colonies. The article emphasizes its use for cooking, food storage, and other practical tasks, highlighting its resilience and functionality.
North Devon potters continued to produce gravel-tempered ovens well into the 19th century. The article discusses the traditional methods used in their production and their lasting popularity in both England and America.
North Devon’s pottery industry faced a decline in the mid-18th century due to a combination of factors, including competition from other pottery centers, shifting tastes, and the blockading of its ports. The article outlines the challenges faced by North Devon’s potters, highlighting the impact of external factors on their industry.
Only one pottery, Brannam’s Litchdon Street Pottery in Barnstaple, has survived from the 17th-century North Devon pottery industry. The article acknowledges the decline of the industry and the resilience of this single remaining pottery.
The article underscores the importance of archaeological evidence in understanding the past, highlighting its use in reconstructing historical trade patterns, dating artifacts, and providing insights into colonial life.

Statistics:

In 1635, the Truelove, a ship from Barnstaple, sailed for New England with 40 dozen earthenware. This early shipment demonstrates the early beginnings of the North Devon pottery trade with America.
In 1665, the Exchange of Biddeford sailed to New England with 150 dozen earthenware. The article provides many more specific examples of shipments of earthenware, illustrating the scale of the trade.
The Eagle, a 50-ton ship, carried 9,000 parcels of earthenware as its sole cargo in 1688. This shipment illustrates the significant volume of pottery transported from North Devon to America.
In 1694, 17 separate earthenware shipments totaling 50,400 parcels were made from Barnstaple and Bideford to Dublin, Wexford, and Waterford. This statistic highlights the extent of the North Devon pottery trade in both Ireland and England.
The May-Hartwell site at Jamestown yielded hundreds of sherds of North Devon pottery. The abundance of these sherds demonstrates the widespread use of North Devon pottery in colonial settlements.
The John Washington House site, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, produced the largest deposits of North Devon pottery found outside of Jamestown. This statistic emphasizes the wide geographical distribution of North Devon pottery in the American colonies.

Terms:

Sgraffito ware: A type of pottery where designs are incised through a white slip coating, revealing the underlying red clay.
Gravel-tempered ware: A type of pottery where coarse gravel is added to the clay mix to enhance its durability and strength.
Slip: A thin, watery clay coating applied to pottery before glazing.
Glaze: A glassy coating applied to pottery for decoration and protection.
Galena: A lead sulphide mineral used as a glaze in North Devon pottery.
Port Book: A record of ships entering and leaving a port, including their cargo and destination.
Factor: An agent representing a merchant or company in a distant location, typically responsible for arranging trade and managing goods.
Delftware: A type of tin-glazed earthenware, often decorated with blue and white designs, popular in 17th- and 18th-century England and the colonies.
Majolica: A type of tin-glazed earthenware, often decorated with bright colors, influenced by Italian and Spanish traditions.
Huguenot: A French Protestant, many of whom emigrated to England and other countries in the 17th century following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.

Examples:

The May-Hartwell site at Jamestown: This site yielded a substantial amount of North Devon sgraffito and gravel-tempered wares, providing valuable insights into the pottery types used in colonial households and their dating.
The John Washington House site: This site in Westmoreland County, Virginia, yielded a significant amount of North Devon pottery, indicating the widespread use of this pottery type in Virginia.
The John Howland House site: This site in Plymouth, Massachusetts, yielded a fragment of a North Devon gravel-tempered oven, suggesting the use of these ovens in New England settlements.
The Bowne House: This historic house museum in Flushing, Long Island, still contains a North Devon oven built into the fireplace, showcasing its integration into colonial homes.
The Delaware harvest jug: This dated 1698 harvest jug provides a rare example of a North Devon sgraffito piece that has survived above ground in America, highlighting its use in colonial communities and its potential role as a cherished heirloom.
The 1703/4 and 1703 harvest jugs in the Glaisher Collection: These jugs, similar in style and design to the Delaware jug, highlight the evolution of North Devon sgraffito ware into more elaborate presentation pieces.
The example of the Truelove, a ship that transported 40 dozen earthenware to New England in 1635: This specific ship and its cargo exemplify the early beginnings of the North Devon pottery trade with America.
The example of the Eagle, a 50-ton ship carrying 9,000 parcels of earthenware to Boston in 1688: This shipment illustrates the significant volume of pottery transported from North Devon to America, highlighting the scale of the trade.

Conclusion:

The article convincingly demonstrates that North Devon pottery played a significant role in the lives of early American colonists. The presence of sgraffito and gravel-tempered wares in colonial sites throughout the eastern seaboard highlights the importance of this trade relationship. While the North Devon pottery industry faced challenges and eventual decline, its legacy continues to be appreciated in surviving examples and the insights it provides into colonial life, trade patterns, and cultural exchange between England and its colonies.

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