McCully’s Bank Street Pottery

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In operation    1816-1868

Wares

EarthenwareGardenwareTableware

Notes

“The late John S. McCully, one of Trenton’s oldest potters, informed Mr. McCormick that the first pottery in that city was erected in 1783, on a part of the Cowell [sic] estate, near where Petty’s Run is crossed by Pennington Avenue, but this was soon abandoned. In the following year, Joseph McCully, an uncle of John, erected a second pottery at the head of Warren Street, back of the old Lamb Tavern, which he continued to operate for several years. In 1799 a pottery was built by the father of John S. McCully on the site of Bishop O’Farrell’s residence, on Warren Street, having formed a partnership with Thomas Wimer. In 1815 the opening of Bank Street necessitated the removal of the pottery to the lot on which the parochial school now stands.”

–Barber, Edwin Atlee. n.d. “History of the Pottery Industry in New Jersey.” Manuscript on file, Rutgers University Library, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Selected References

Woodward, E. M. and John F. Hageman. 1883. History of Burlington and Mercer Counties. Everts and Peck, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“The Pottery Art. The Rhythmic Wheel of Prehistoric Times. Report of An Interview With Trenton’s Oldest Practical Potter — Interesting Reminiscences Which Will be New to Most of Our Readers.” Trenton Evening Times, Sunday, May 8, 1887.

“Death of John S. McCully.” Trenton Evening Times, Sunday, December 15, 1889.

Van Hoesen, Walter Hamilton. 1973.  Crafts and Craftsmen of New Jersey.  Associated University Presses, Inc., Cranbury, New Jersey.

Quigley, Mary Alice and David E. Collier. 1984.  A Capital Place: The Story of Trenton.  Historical Society and Windsor Publications, Inc., Woodland Hills, California.

Branin, M. Lelyn. 1988.  The Early Makers of Handcrafted Earthenware and Stoneware in Central and Southern New Jersey.  Associated University Presses, Inc., Cranbury, New Jersey.

Other Names

J.S. McCully; McCully Pottery

Block and Lot:
20A/61

Historic Street Address:
Bank Street and Barnes Street; Union Street near Willow Street

Municipality:
City of Trenton

Image Gallery

J. S. McCully
J. S. McCully
McCully pottery slip-trailed redware platter
Platter, red earthenware with slip decoration under clear lead glaze on front, coggled rim, made by Joseph McCully (1757-1820) or his nephew Joseph McCully (1771-1872), 11.6 in W. The traditional nature of this pottery's production makes it difficult to date objects precisely. McCully and his nephew used the same marks. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1970.212
Food Storage Jar, wheel-thrown red earthenware with dark brown lead glaze (cover missing), made by McCully Pottery, 1799-1852, 11.5 in H. Made during ownership of Joseph McCully (1757-1820) or his nephew Joseph McCully (1771-1852). Oval maker's mark on the shoulder. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1970.244

Map Gallery

McCully Pottery, 1849 Sidney Map (pottery is not named)
McCully Pottery, 1859 Lamborn Map
McCully Pottery, 1859 Lamborn Map
Map References

Otley, J.W., and J. Keily.  1849.  Map of Mercer County.  Lloyd Vanderveer, Camden, New Jersey.

Sidney, J.C. 1849.  Map of the City of Trenton, New Jersey.  M. Dripps, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lamborn, R.H.  1859.  Map of the City of Trenton and Part of Hamilton Township Mercer County, New Jersey.  Robert H. Lamborn, Trenton, New Jersey.  (Shown as “J & H. McCully Pottery”)

1860 Census

Name in censusJ. S & H. McCully
Capital Invested2700
Raw materials 1Clay
Quantity materials 118 tons
Value materials 120
Raw materials 2Red lead
Quantity materials 2800 lbs
Value materials 258
Raw materials 3Wood
Quantity materials 321 cords
Value materials 3100
Raw materials 4Coal
Quantity materials 44 tons
Value materials 416
Power type 11 Kiln
Power type 2Frame (structure)
Male hands employed2
Male wages54
Kind of productAssorted red ware
Value of product900