For this history update, we’d like to take a look at some of the connections between NC (primarily the Catawba Valley and Buncombe County) and upstate SC amongst various pottery families.  This primarily focuses around the timeframe of 1870-1920.  The first family to make the transition from the Catawba Valley to the upstate of SC (in Langford Station, Laurens County) were the Johnsons, specifically Joseph and Harvey.  Joseph ‘Jug’ Johnson is particularly noted because of his 100 year lifespan from 1848-1948.  Harvey lived also a long life (1846-1931).  Something about working with clay brings out the good genes in the potters it seems.  Featured in the pictures is a jar from their days in the Catawba Valley circa 1870.  Then an early Laurens swag decorated pitcher.  Finally featured is a churn made by Maryland Hewell at the Johnson Bros about 50 years later circa 1920.

A second potter who also made the transition from the Catawba Valley to the upstate is Martin Alexander Helton (Hilton), living from 1843-1921.  Per the Two Centuries of Potters book (which is an excellent resource for all CV collectors) he didn’t move his operation to SC until 1911.  He then settled in the town of Sharon in York County, SC.  His glaze went from a bright alkaline in the Catawba Valley to a very a dark green while in SC.  Featured in the pictures is an example from his earlier 1880’s Catawba County period and a later one from York County, SC.

A third potter who made a move from Catawba County to the Inman, SC (Spartanburg County) area was Albert Fulbright (born 1867-per the Great and Noble Jar book).  He also worked at Johnson Bros shop for a short time.   Pictured are a marked AMF jug from NC and later an attributed churn from the Clayton Jugworks.  The handle on the Fulbright churn with the pulled fingerprints on the top of the handle is a trademark of Fulbright.

Let’s also point out the Trulls, beginning with Benjamin Trull of Candler, NC (circa the 1880’s per the Index of Southern Potters book) and his two sons, James O and C. Trull.  The two sons were the ones to make the transition to SC, specifically Spartanburg County.  The picture shown is an example a jug perhaps at Penland Pottery by the Trulls.  We would be interested in obtaining a photograph a Trull attributed or signed example, particularly from SC.  

Further regarding Penland Pottery (pretty much interconnected with the Stone family pottery), there are pictured two examples of churns, first from Buncombe County, and then Spartanburg County.  The laid and turned down lug handle of the churns are more of a standard Spartanburg County form, but can also be seen on the Stone/Penland churn that is glazed with the paint rock (added iron) finish and has the classic Stone/Penland gallonage stamp.  It is of our opinion that these churns made have been made by the Trulls.

There's also an interesting example of a migration and then reverse migration in which the Outen Family of potters, beginning with William F. Outen moved from NC to Catawba Station, York County (SC) and later his son Rufus moved back into Union County, NC to establish the Outen Pottery.  Pictured is an example of an Outen pitcher from Lancaster County, SC and of a R.F. Outen jug from Matthews, NC (circa 1930).  Also pictured is a flower vase from Matthews Pottery, operated by one of the other Outen brothers after they moved back to NC.

Finally there are even several connections amongst GA, SC, and NC.  One example is potter Casey Meaders, Cheever Meader's brother and Lanier's uncle, who began turning pots in White County, Georgia.  Later on he also worked at Clayton Jugworks in Spartanburg County and finally in Catawba County, NC.  Pictured is a churn from his days working in NC.