A glimpse into a colonial pottery factory and its town-wide web of trade
This volume presents a detailed study of a colonial pottery factory near Yorktown, blending archaeology, history, and economic life. It traces how a potter’s workshop grew into a small enterprise with provable ties to local taverns, stores, and shipping networks, shaping everyday life in a bustling seaport town.
The work grounds its narrative in surviving records, plans, and illustrations. It explains how pottery ware moved through markets, how ships carried ceramic cargoes, and how local and regional demand supported craft and trade in the early 1700s. Rich in maps, photographs, and data, the book offers a clear view of craft, commerce, and community in a colonial setting.
- Grounded discussion of the Yorktown pottery factory and its products
- Evidence of mercantile activity, storekeeping, and export patterns
- Shipping records and vessel movements related to ceramic wares
- Illustrations, tables, and appendices that organize material by form, provenance, and trade
Ideal for readers of colonial American history, archaeology, and material culture who want a concrete, evidence-based look at a working pottery site and its economic context.