Rhenish, English and French stoneware, 1550-1800, from the Ferryland site (CgAf-2), Newfoundland and Labrador

Brandon, Nicole E. (2006) Rhenish, English and French stoneware, 1550-1800, from the Ferryland site (CgAf-2), Newfoundland and Labrador. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This thesis provides an analysis of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century stoneware from the Ferryland site (CgAf-2), Newfoundland and Labrador. The Ferryland harbour was frequented by seasonal fishers in the sixteenth century and was settled in 1621 by Sir George Calvert. A successful fishing colony, Ferryland has been continuously inhabited since its founding, save for a few years. Archaeological excavations of the site produced a stoneware assemblage spanning the years 1600 to 1760. As expected, the majority is Rhenish, though English and French wares are present in smaller quantities. These broad origins were subdivided into Frechen, Westerwald and Raeren for the Rhenish wares, English brown and English white stoneware, and Normandy and Beauvais/Loire for the French wares. Analysis concentrated on the functional and social roles of stoneware over a span of 160 years of this early North American colonial community. To accomplish this goal it was necessary to review, refine and compile dates of commonly recovered seventeenth- and eighteenth-century stonewares. It was found that the success and decline of particular stoneware vessels were dependent on a popularity often bestowed by the English elite. Additionally, Ferryland planters mirrored some English behaviours in their choices of stoneware acquisition.

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