Description:
Large tan-colored stoneware churn stamp-impressed "NORTON & FENTON / East Bennington VT / 6" in-filled with cobalt-blue, and over two large blue flowers extending from one stem. A native of Goshen, Connecticut, Capt. John Norton (1758-1828) bought a large farm in Bennington in 1785 and began making redware. By 1804, the pottery was making stoneware, first using "stone clay" carted from Dorset, Vermont, and by 1806, using New Jersey stoneware clay mixed with local redware clay and possiblly the local kaolin until about 1830. Capt. John Norton's sons, Luman Norton (1785-1858) and John Norton, Jr. (1787-1850), worked in the factory and became partners as early as 1811-1812; by 1812, Luman was virtually running the factory. Capt. John Norton retired in 1823, and by 1828, John Norton, Jr. transferred his interests to his brother. From 1828-1833, Luman stamped his wares, "L. NORTON / BENNINGTON." In 1833, Luman both moved the pottery to the area known as East Bennington where it remained until the business closed in 1894, and took his son, Julius Norton (1809-1861) into the business, stamping the products, "L. NORTON & SON / BENNINGTON" or "L. NORTON & SON / EAST BENNINGTON." Julius took over when his father retired in 1840. In October 1842, Julius Norton (1809-1861) took his brother-in-law, Christopher W. Fenton (1806-1865), into partnership at the Norton pottery, where they experimented with new clay bodies, glazes and production techniques. Their partnership dissolved in 1847 when Julius resumed full-time production of stoneware, and Fenton established his own pottery, the United States Pottery, continuing to produce new wares and experiment with porcelain.in 1850, Julius took his cousin, Edward Norton (1815-1885), into the firm (J. & E. Norton), and his son, Luman Preston Norton (1837-1906), in 1859. After Julius' death in 1861, Edward continued with Luman Preston as "E. & L. P. Norton" until 1882 when Luman sold his share of the firm to Edward, and Edward in turn sold that half share to Charles W. Thatcher (1857-1944) in 1833. Edward continued until his death in 1885 when his son, Edward Lincoln Norton (1865-1894) assumed his half-interest. The churn has a tall, tapering, cylindrical form with flared top; two C-shaped lug handles attached on both sides; incised lines around the body; and a flat base. Condition: Fragile, there is a 10 inch hairline crack running from top to bottom, cover and dasher missing
Label Text:
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