New Jersey Pottery Company

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The Database is organized by location, but you can find a pottery initially by searching for its name, which is at the top of the of the page with dates of operation below. Alternate names and the names of other potteries on the same site are noted at the top of the right-hand column, just above the pottery’s location.

The types of wares made appear below the pottery name in the left-hand column, followed by the references that informed these classifications.

Sample images of maker’s marks may be enlarged by clicking on the image.

Notes include a variety of information compiled from many standard sources and are presented as miscellaneous tidbits.

In the Gallery and Map Gallery in the right-hand column you will see historic images and insurance maps of the pottery’s facilities if available as well as historic advertisements and images of the wares made.

You can download more detailed information in all of these categories by choosing a PDF of the pottery’s full listing, which also includes the documentary sources. The PDF is text only and does not contain any images.  Data from the 1860, 1870 and 1880 industrial censuses area also included in the PDF if they exist for a given pottery. This data gives you a picture of the size of the pottery operation and the age and gender makeup of its work force.

You can help expand the database by contributing pictures and information. Contact POTS by the email address at the bottom of the page.

In operation    1878-1882

Wares

Toilet setsWhiteware

Fine white wares (Goldberg 1998:45)

Notes

“In 1878, Elias Cook erected these works near the Belvidere and Delaware Railroad, on Railroad Avenue. The concern afterwards became a stock company, with Henry T. Cook, President. This pottery has been distinguished for the artistic and tasteful designs of its decorated ware.”

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

Selected References

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

Harney, W.J. 1929. “Trenton’s First Potteries.” Sunday Times Advertiser, July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1929.

Podmore, Harry J. 1956. “Union Pottery Co. Succeeded New Jersey Pottery.” Sunday Times Advertiser, November 11, 1956.

Goldberg, David J. 1998.  Preliminary Notes on the Pioneer Potters and Potteries of Trenton, N.J.: The First Thirty Years – 1852 – 1882 (And Beyond).  Privately published, Trenton, New Jersey.

Other firms at this site:

Other Names

New Jersey Pottery Company

Block and Lot:
39-1B/1

Historic Street Address:
Muirhead Avenue near Pennsylvania Railroad; Muirhead Avenue near Pennsylvania and Bound Brook Railroad; Railroad Avenue near Clinton

Municipality:
City of Trenton

Map Gallery

New Jersey Pottery Company, 1881 Robinson Map
New Jersey Pottery Company, 1882 Haven Map
Map References

Robinson, E., and R. H. Pidgeon. 1881. Atlas of the City of Trenton and Suburbs New Jersey: From Actual Surveys and Official Records.  E. Robinson, New York, New York.  (Plate K: shown as “New Jersey Pottery Co’s Works”)

Haven, C. C.  1882.   A New Real Estate and Insurance Map of the City of Trenton Including Chambersburg, Millham, and Parts of Ewing, Lawrence, and Hamilton Townships, Mercer County. E.P. Noll & Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Shown as “New Jersey Pottery Co.”)

1880 Census

Name in censusNew Jersey Pottery Co.
Capital125000
Number of hands200
Males above 16125
Females above 1530
Children45
May to Nov hours9
Nov to May hours8
Skilled wages3
Ordinary wages1.25
Total wages in year78000
Full time months12
Value of raw material60000
Value of product150000
Number of engines2
Horse power160