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It has recently come to light that the A E Spencer stoneware jug shown on page 475, fig. 7.85 of “The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region” is most likely of Ohio or Pennsylvania origin.
Thanks to the important research underway by the sons of Tony and Barbara Zipp, Brandt, Mark, and Luke, A. E. Spencer has been found in the 1850 Ohio census and the 1860 and 1870 Pennsylvania census.
Spencer was recorded in Portage County, Ohio, as a potter who was born in New York. In 1860 he was recorded in Mercer Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, listed as a potter born in New York. Ten years later he was listed in the census of Allegheny Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as a stone potter born in New York.
The Spencer ( mark... A E SPENCER ) jug shown in “The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region” was acquired at Garth's Auction Delaware, Ohio, in the early 1980's by Dr. Dick Bell. Later belonging to the author who attributed it to Abe Spencer, one of the four black potters identified as having worked in the 19th century Shenandoah Valley.
The attribution was based on 10 criteria and all were positive except one; the form. That one fact, which was not totally negative, could be accepted due to the absence of information on Abe Spencer; where was he born and trained? The entire attribution was brought to consultation with other authorities. All agreed that the attribution was well founded.
However, it now appears that this jug was not made in the Shenandoah Valley by the black potter, Abraham Spencer, who worked for Solomon Bell. To most of us this is a good lesson, attributed to, has not the same definition as, made by.
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