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Abner S. Wight’s Red Earthenware Production

in New Hampshire and Massachusetts
by Justin W. Thomas

W
hen Northeast Auctions sold a 19th-century
red earthenware butter churn over a decade
ago, as part of the company’s annual summer
Americana sale in Manchester, New Hampshire, not
everyone in attendance may have realized that they were
witnessing the sale of an important piece of New England
country pottery. The churn was previously found by
Falmouth, Massachusetts, antiques dealers Hilary and
Paulette Nolan and later sold by Klinger & Co. of South
Dennis, Massachusetts, in 1998. The name of the man
responsible for this large pot’s production was inscribed
around the churn, just above the midsection, “ABNER
S. WIGHT EARTHANWARE [sic] MANUFACTURER
MARLBORO, N.H. June 23d 1847.”
Wight glazed the entire interior of the churn, but for
some reason he glazed only one-third of the exterior
around the top. The beautiful spotted green glaze
perfectly contrasted with the bare clay, but this is also
a type of glaze which is regularly misattributed today
to areas elsewhere in New Hampshire, showing that the
Nineteenth-century red earthenware jar attributed to
glaze should not be the only characteristic in identifying the Dublin/Marlborough, New Hampshire, area. Lura
where an object originated. Woodside Watkins collection. Photo courtesy National
It is a bit of a mystery as to why Wight would leave Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
such a wonderful piece of pottery only partially glazed
on the exterior, although he may have done so in order
to protect the inscription that was placed a few inches that is inscribed on the butter churn. This date also
below the glaze. Wight may have feared the glaze would seems to reveal the significance of this object. In 1890
have covered the writing or infilled the inscription, which William Ward Wight (1849-1931) wrote in The Wights:
seems to have converted this object into a remarkable A Record of Thomas Wight of Dedham and Medfield and
piece of advertising or countertop display. Groups of his Descendants 1635-1890, “He [Abner] did a good
of incised lines in varying patterns also decorate the business for several years in the old pottery of his father
exterior, further embellishing the pot; the glaze covers near Dublin.”
some of the lines, while others are not glazed. Pottery in the Marlborough and Dublin area materialized
Records indicate that for many years, the churn was on into an industry in the 19th century, and the area is
loan to one of the historical societies in New Hampshire. sometimes referred to today as Chesham or Pottersville.
Very few examples of signed New Hampshire red The names Bennett, Clark, Felton, Fitch, Furber,
earthenware are known to exist today, and most of the Greenwood, Metcalf, Russell, Sargeant, and Smith were
inscribed wares are related to the Osborns in Gonic, New all involved with this industry. The Southwick family
Hampshire, or the Clark family in Lyndeborough and Red earthenware butter churn made by Abner S. Wight, of potters from South Danvers (Peabody after 1855),
inscribed “ABNER S. WIGHT EARTHANWARE [sic] Massachusetts, were also involved. The Southwick
Concord. This churn may not only be the finest signed
MANUFACTURER MARLBORO, N.H. JUNE 23d 1847,”
piece of New Hampshire red earthenware known, but it 28" tall. Photo courtesy Tom and Sandra Ammann.
potters were descendants of Lawrence (1598-1660) and
may also reveal a much larger picture about the origin of Cassandra Southwick (1598-1660), who were persecuted
Abner S. Wight’s involvement with the red earthenware for their Quaker faith in Salem, Massachusetts, in the
industry in southwestern New Hampshire. 17th century.
The Pottery of Abner S. Wight Elsewhere in Cheshire County, red earthenware potters
Abner Smith Wight (1822-1905) was born July 28, manufactured household pottery in Alstead, Keene, Troy,
1822, in Cheshire County in Dublin, New Hampshire, and Westmoreland, and in some cases there is overlap
also known for a period as Chesham Village. He died found in the production among the various businesses.
April 22, 1905, in Keene, New Hampshire. He was the Among the other significant examples of red
son of potter John Wight (1791-1874), who originally earthenware attributed today to Chesham Village is
learned about the production of utilitarian pottery in a large jug that was most likely made in the 1840s or
Jaffrey, New Hampshire. 1850s; the attribution is based on extant museum and
According to information published by author Charles published objects. The form of this 14" tall likely two-
Austin Bemis (1848-1926) in History of the Town of gallon jug was meant to imitate stoneware that was
Marlborough, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, “In the prevalent in places like Vermont and New York during
spring of 1845, Capt. John Wight erected what has since this period. The spectacular green copper-oxide glaze
been known as the ‘Old Pottery’ on the Dublin road. He certainly adds an aesthetic appeal. I feel this is among the
was succeeded by his son Abner who did a good business most significant surviving red earthenware jugs known
there for several years. In the spring of 1866, James A. from New Hampshire today. I have never seen anything
White purchased the property; he subsequently removed like it before. I understand that is a bold statement, but
the buildings to the village, and made them into dwelling- Closeup of Wight’s name inscribed on the butter churn. this piece embodies so much more of a history than the
houses. No ware of this kind is at present manufactured Photo courtesy Tom and Sandra Ammann. typical glazed utilitarian wares produced throughout the
in town. The declension of this business was caused state in the 1700s and 1800s. My thought process behind
partly by the low duties and large importation of English learned how to manufacture red earthenware from his this statement is based on the significance, idea, history,
whiteware, and partly by the low price of tin.” father, and he later relocated to produce stoneware in glaze, form, and size of this jug.
Abner married Harriet L. Nims (1824-1893) Ashfield, Massachusetts, and St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The wares that Abner Wight produced in Marlborough
from Rockingham, Vermont, October 10, 1844, in He was regarded at both locations as an exquisite potter are largely unknown today, but there are certainly
Rockingham, and together they had six sons, some of with great skill. examples in existence, possibly generically attributed to
whom entered the pottery industry. I find it compelling to According to the book Early New England Potters and Chesham or Pottersville. Some of this red earthenware
learn that at the time of Abner’s marriage, he was listed Their Wares by Massachusetts author Lura Woodside production may even be mistaken for pottery
as a resident of Pottersville. This is a location known Watkins (1897-1982), “In the spring of 1845 ‘Captain’ manufactured elsewhere in northern New England.
today for its excellent red earthenware production. John D. Wight, long a potter in Dublin, built what has However, it is likely that the techniques Wight employed
From an early age, Abner learned the potter’s trade since been known as the ‘Old Pottery’ on the road to in New Hampshire were still utilized when he relocated
from his father, although I cannot say that I have studied Dublin (in Marlborough, New Hampshire). His son about 40 miles southeast to West Sterling, Worcester
any examples of red earthenware that were undoubtedly Abner S. succeeded him before 1849, when Abner’s County, Massachusetts.
made by John Wight. But the skill found in Abner’s name appears as a potter in the New England Directory.” As early as 1849 Wight’s name seems to have appeared
production is certainly a reflection of his father’s ability. It would appear, however, that Abner probably in West Sterling, a small community less than 15 miles
Abner’s older brother Franklin Wight (b. 1814) also succeeded his father closer to the June 23, 1847, date north of Worcester, Massachusetts. He may have entered

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Various miniatures likely made in West Sterling, Massachusetts. The far right jug was Base from a known miniature from West
recovered from the stream next to the site of the West Sterling pottery. Sterling, Massachusetts, inscribed “A.S.
Wight / Wachusett / Pottery.” Photo
courtesy Dr. Mark Chaplin.

Nineteenth-century red earthenware

bottle attributed to the Dublin/
Marlborough, New Hampshire, area.
Lura Woodside Watkins collection.
Photo courtesy National Museum
of American History, Smithsonian
Institution.

into a partnership in 1849 with Henry Tolman Jr. (b.

1809), who had taken over a pottery established by his
father, Henry Tolman Sr. (1785-1851) in the early 1830s. Nineteenth-century red earthenware jars attributed to
But there may have also been a family relationship the Dublin/Marlborough, New Hampshire, area. Lura
here since the Tolmans were originally from Troy, New Woodside Watkins collection. Photo courtesy National
Hampshire, which is only a few miles from where the Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Wights lived in Dublin. The new company is listed under
the name Tolman & Wight in the 1849 New England
Directory. Watkins also says that an 1853 receipt reveals it was in the hands of Snow and a new partner, Henry
that Abner’s brother Jonas Dustin Wight (b. 1831) was Coolidge, who ran the works successfully as Snow &
the company clerk. This receipt or billhead was among a Coolidge until the death of the latter in 1881. During
group of six billheads from Dublin and West Sterling that this period the business was so increased that fifteen or Nineteenth-century red earthenware jar
Watkins cited in Early New England Potters and Their twenty men were employed, and the earthenware was attributed to the Dublin/Marlborough,
Wares. They were once owned by Professor Frederick H. sold throughout New England, New York, and even as New Hampshire, area.
Norton (1896-1986), a physicist and ceramics professor at far west as Indiana.”
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge An example of advertising from the Snow & Coolidge and red earthenware. He may have also consulted with
who was related to the famed Norton family of potters business was consigned to Skinner in Boston in March his brother Franklin about the process involved with
in Bennington, Vermont, and Worcester, Massachusetts. 2012. The original painted tin sign read “SNOW / & stoneware production.
The firm changed its name to Wight & Willard in 1856, COOLIDGE. / EARTHEN / WARE. / WEST STERLING Unfortunately, the business model in Keene did not
but a major change in ownership happened in 1860, / MASS.” unfold as expected, and the company was sold the
when Abner S. Wight purchased the company outright By 1890 William J. Walley (1852-1918) had purchased following year. It is likely that Wight continued to
and changed the name to A.S. Wight and Company. At the company, also known as the Wachusett Pottery, produce pottery, but he does not appear to have ever
that time, Wight also began to mark some of his wares where he produced floral wares and art pottery until his been involved with ownership again. However, he may
with a stamp, “A.S. Wight.” A modest number of the death in 1918. have reappeared in West Sterling, based on an inscribed
wares produced by Wight during this period are adorned This was not the end of Wight’s career by any means. miniature red earthenware jar, privately owned today,
with colorful glazes; some of these objects can even be Wight reemerged in Keene, New Hampshire, after he that is marked on the base “A.S. Wight / Wachusett /
mistakenly attributed to Maine, Vermont, or western New left West Sterling, even though this appears to have been Pottery.” This piece may have also been made when
York because of the glaze colors. Another characteristic a short-lived venture. Keene is close to where his wife Wight originally owned the business since company
of West Sterling wares is that some rims were left grew up in Vermont, which may have been a factor for price lists from the 1850s and 1860s indicate that this is
intentionally unglazed, but I have been unsuccessful in why they relocated. This new opportunity gave Wight also how the company was known back then.
determining the reason they were produced this way. yet another chance to oversee pottery production in New An 1880s catalog is known from the Wachusett
I have read and listened to firsthand accounts Hampshire. Pottery and is owned by Historic New England. The
identifying the whereabouts of the West Sterling According to A. Harold Kendall in the chapter on catalog highlights the company’s production line, but
business, which was located along a stream, and business and industry in “Upper Ashuelot”: A History it also acknowledges its existence as a continuation of
numerous sherds, kiln waste, and even miniature pieces of Keene, New Hampshire, in 1871 the New Hampshire the West Sterling companies that preceded it, having
of pottery have been recovered from this area in the last Sentinel (now the Keene Sentinel) noted that “Messrs. been established in 1820. This sentiment was a common
25 years. One longtime resident recalls a small section of Starkey and Howard of this town have engaged in the theme with some longstanding Massachusetts potteries
the stream filled with broken pottery and other artifacts. manufacture of stone and earthenware, and propose to still in existence in the late 1800s.
A wonderful miniature jug now in my collection came do a large business in both branches the coming season. It is likely that Wight continued to work at other
from this stream. The jug may have been discarded since They have erected a building, south of Water Street, 140 potteries in Keene, lending his knowledge and expertise
part of another pot was stuck to the base and prevented feet long by 36 feet wide, one-and-one-half and two-and- in the field. He may have found some employment
the jug from resting properly on a flat surface. Some one-half stories high, where they will employ about 40 during the 1871-1904 era of the potteries of James
archaeological remains from West Sterling are also kept hands in making the common earthen and stoneware. At Scollay Taft (1844-1923), J.S. Taft & Company and
today at the National Museum of American History at present they are manufacturing only earthenware, from Hampshire Pottery in Keene, where red earthenware was
the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and clay procured in this town. The difficulty of procuring produced in the late 19th century. In the collection of the
at Historic New England; these include broken molded the kaolin from New Jersey will prevent their making New Hampshire Historical Society is a pot with a glazed
flowerpots, kiln furniture, and setting tiles produced in the stoneware until spring. Then our farmers can have interior and glazed handle stamped on the shoulder “J.S.
the late 19th century. these jars and jugs made to any pattern they desire.” The TAFT & CO / KEENE N.H.” The manufacture of this pot
According to Watkins, “Abner Wight and his associate works were under the charge of Abner Wight. and its mark are comparable to wares made by Wight in
carried on a thriving business until after the close of the To my knowledge, this is the first instance where Wight West Sterling. The pot would have likely been made by a
Civil War. The pottery’s affairs were then taken over by is connected to stoneware production, which places traveling potter; Taft and his uncle James Burnap (1816-
Marcus L. Snow, James Smith, and Marcellus Wight, him among a small group of 18th- and 19th-century 1894) were the founders of the pottery but were not
Abner’s son, as Snow, Smith & Company.... In 1869 New England potters involved with both stoneware actually the everyday potters. About the time of Wight’s

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1905 death is when Cadmon Robertson (1863-1914) by the brilliant green glazes produced by this region and pitchers, and crocks.
was promoted to oversee production at the Hampshire by large jars, often manufactured with a square or round Wight’s career was part of the landscape of New
Pottery in Keene, helping to develop the company’s rim, a characteristic also found elsewhere in Cheshire England’s country potters in the 19th century; he was
popular line of green-glazed decorative wares. That role County and central New Hampshire. In fact, the use of a skilled, creative entrepreneur, who seems to have
lasted until his death in 1914. This is a role that Wight green glazes in Chesham Village may have been second embraced a variety of glaze colors. Like many New
could have filled as well before his death. The business in abundance in New England during the period only to England 18th- and 19th-century country potters, he
ceased production altogether by 1923. the wares made in Bristol County, Massachusetts, from may have also been involved with farming as a means
A Reflection of Wight’s Career around 1780 to 1830. to supplement his income, which was similar to that of
In many ways, Wight may be regarded as a journeyman A variety of shaped jars were produced by Wight’s many other rural potters in New England. Wight’s legend
potter, but his accomplished career also included company in West Sterling, but this may have been a is also unique, which is why so many of these stories
working in three industries in Dublin/Marlborough, West carryover from what he was already producing in New about American utilitarian potters are compelling to tell
Sterling, and Keene, where much of the production is Hampshire, since there are similarities found in other today.
highly regarded today by collectors and museums. The jars attributed to the Chesham or Pottersville area. Other
wares made in Pottersville are sometimes characterized forms known from Wight include jugs, pans, bowls,

Nineteenth-century red earthenware jars Three similar jars attributed to Abner S. Wight. From left The jar on the left was possibly made by Abner S.
attributed to Cheshire County, New Hampshire, to right: jar with rim left intentionally unglazed, found in Wight and is related to production in the West Sterling,
and possibly made in the Dublin/Marlborough southwestern New Hampshire; jar marked “A.S. WIGHT, ” Massachusetts, and Dublin/Marlborough, New Hampshire,
area. found decades ago in central Massachusetts; and jar found in area. The jar on the right, marked “A.S. WIGHT,” was
central Massachusetts. found decades ago in central Massachusetts.

Nineteenth-century red earthenware pan, possibly

made in West Sterling, Massachusetts. It was recently
found in central Massachusetts. Photo courtesy Kris
Casucci.

Nineteenth-century red earthenware handled Four red earthenware jars possibly related to
pot with lid, possibly related to production in production in the West Sterling, Massachusetts,
the West Sterling, Massachusetts, and Dublin/ and Dublin/Marlborough, New Hampshire, area,
Marlborough, New Hampshire, area. It was although some may be from Vermont.
found decades ago in central Massachusetts.

Nineteenth-century red earthenware bowl and jug likely made in West

Sterling, Massachusetts, found decades ago in central Massachusetts.
Photo courtesy Mark Newton.

Nineteenth-century red earthenware jug attributed to

Cheshire County, possibly made in Chesham Village. The Large (14" tall) possibly two-gallon green-
deep finger impression (inset photo) on the handle terminal glazed red earthenware jug attributed to Dublin/
is a style regularly found on handled wares made in Dublin, Marlborough, New Hampshire. This form was
New Hampshire. inspired by stoneware jugs, likely 1840s-50s.

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Two views of a 19th-century handled pot attributed to Cheshire County,

possibly made in Dublin/Marlborough, New Hampshire. It was found in
New Hampshire. Photos courtesy Kris Casucci.

Collection of billheads from Dublin, New Hampshire, and West

Sterling, Massachusetts, all cited by Lura Woodside Watkins in Early
New England Potters and Their Wares. Ex-collection of Frederick H.
Norton (1896-1986).

Drawing of the Wachusett Pottery in West Sterling,

Massachusetts. Photo courtesy Historic New England.

Nineteenth-century green-glazed
jug likely made in Chesham Village
in New Hampshire. Photo courtesy
Samuel Herrup.
Sherds and kiln furniture recovered at the site
of the West Sterling pottery.

Billhead from the Wachusett Pottery, Snow & Coolidge, 1880s.

Photo courtesy Historic New England.

Advertising cards and a

price list and illustrated
catalog from the Wachusett
Pottery in West Sterling,
Massachusetts. Photos
courtesy Historic New
England.

Nineteenth-century
green-glazed pitcher
attributed to Cheshire
Nineteenth-century painted tin sign inscribed County, possibly made
“SNOW / & COOLIDGE. / EARTHEN / WARE. in Chesham Village. The
/ WEST STERLING / MASS.” Photo courtesy form and handle suggest
Bonhams Skinner. the attribution.

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Nineteenth-century red earthenware
flowerpot possibly made in West
Sterling, Massachusetts. The
form of the flowerpot is similar to
archaeological evidence recovered at
the site of the pottery, and this piece
was found in central Massachusetts.
Photo courtesy Mark Newton.

Various price lists from the

Wachusett Pottery in West
Sterling, Massachusetts.
Photos courtesy Michael
Sargent.

Nineteenth-century jar attributed to

Cheshire County, New Hampshire,
likely made in Chesham Village.
Photo courtesy Winterthur Museum.

Sources
Late 19th-century pot stamped “J. S. TAFT Bemis, Charles Austin. History of the Town of
& CO / KEENE N.H.” Photo courtesy New Marlborough, Cheshire County, N.H. Boston:
Hampshire Historical Society.
Press of G.H. Ellis, 1881.
Green-glazed red
earthenware jug probably Gorton, Donna. “Churning Up the Wires.”
made in Cheshire County,
Antiques And The Arts Weekly (May 22, 1998).
New Hampshire. Photo
courtesy Anthony Butera Jr.
Jewell, Margaret. “The Pottery Business in
Sterling.” Old Time New England (July 1932).

Kendall, A. Howard. “Business and Industry,” in

Nineteenth-century “Upper Ashuelot”: A History of Keene, New
crock attributed to West Hampshire by the Keene History Committee,
Sterling, Massachusetts, pp. 457-528. Keene, NH: The City of Keene,
manufactured with an NH, 1968.
intentionally unglazed rim.
Pappas, Joan, and A. Harold Kendall. Hampshire
Pottery Manufactured by J.S. Taft & Company
Keene, New Hampshire. Manchester, VT:
Forward’s Color Productions Inc., 1971.

Seward, D.D., Rev. Josiah Lafayette. A History

of the Town of Sullivan, New Hampshire 1777-
1917, vol. I. Keene, NH, 1921.

Thomas, Justin W. “A Pottery Moves to New

Hampshire: Peter Clark and his family in
Lyndeborough.” New England Antiques
Journal (August 2016).

———. “The Career, Research and Collection

of Frederick H. Norton.” Antiques & Auction
News (August 16, 2019), p. 11.

———. “The Red Earthenware Industry in

Concord, New Hampshire.” Maine Antique
Digest (June 2021), pp. 68-72.

Watkins, Lura Woodside. Early New England

Potters and Their Wares. Cambridge, MA:
Harvard University Press, 1950.
Cart marked “SNOW & COOLIDGE EARTHEN WARE West Sterling Wight, William Ward. The Wights: A Record of
Mass.,” with a driver, horses, and a dog. Photo courtesy Sterling Thomas Wight of Dedham and Medfield and
(Massachusetts) Historical Society. of his Descendants 1635-1890. Milwaukee:
Swain & Tate Printers, 1890.

142 Maine Antique Digest, March 2023