Poor Potter's Site (44YO102)
Site History
The Poor Potter's Site (44YO102) is the remains of William Rogers' colonial pottery factory, located in Yorktown, in York County, Virginia. Rogers' business was in operation from approximately 1720 to 1745 in direct violation of English trade law. Rogers produced quality lead glazed earthenware and salt glazed stoneware pottery that competed with the sale of British pottery. Rogers sold his ceramics to markets as far flung as New England and the West Indies. After Rogers' death in 1739, his family continued ceramic production for several more years.
Archaeological Investigations
The site was first discovered in 1966 when a waster pit of defective and broken pottery was uncovered by Dr. Norman Barka of the College of William and Mary. With the help of students, he undertook archaeological testing at the site between 1966 and 1970. This work revealed the first of two kilns to be discovered, as well as a ritual burial of two ceramic vessels placed in the ground as a dedication ritual. Larger scale excavations began in 1972 under the sponsorship of the National Park Service. In the fall of 1975, a second, smaller kiln was excavated. Work continued at the site until 1981. The archaeology at the Poor Potter’s site ultimately uncovered two kilns, several waster pits, a workshop building complex and several earthfast structures related to the pottery manufactory.
The pottery complex measured about 170 x 22 feet, with both of the kilns located at the southern end of the complex. Archaeological and architectural evidence suggests that pottery was thrown, dried, and glazed in the large workshop before it was fired. Vessel forms made by Rogers' pottery included vessels associated with food processing (earthenware milkpans, pipkins, bowls, colanders), food and drink storage (jars and bottles), beverage consumption (mugs, teapots, jugs), and health and hygiene (chamberpots).
References
2004 Archaeology of a Colonial Pottery Factory: The Kilns of Ceramics of the "Poor Potter" of Yorktown. Ceramics in America. Chipstone Foundation, University Press of New England, Hanover, pp. 15-47.
1984 The "Poor Potter of Yorktown": A Study of a Colonial Pottery Factory, Colonial National Historical Park, Virginia, 3 vols. (Denver: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service).
1972 "The Yorktown Pottery Industry, Yorktown, Virginia," Northeast Historical Archaeology 6, nos. 1–2.
Associated Artifacts
North American Stoneware
North American Stoneware
North American Stoneware
North American Stoneware
North American Stoneware
