From One Town Came Many

The red earthenware industry in North Yarmouth, Maine was established in the 1790s, and for the next century, it flourished through a group of multigenerational family potteries. Many were located at Yarmouth Corner, which included production from at least five family businesses: Brooks, Cleaves, Corliss, Foster and Thomas. Much of this history had been forgotten due to 20th century development and a lack of published documentation. But thanks to historic preservation, archaeologists, museums and family records, the history of this industry has been reidentified. The industry in North Yarmouth was likely the largest red earthenware manufacturing center in the state, and connected to many well-known potters and red earthenware industries located elsewhere in New England. This book is the first of its kind to take an in-depth look at the various types of wares manufactured in North Yarmouth.