As a break from serious research, here is another in the series of old-time occupations of our ancestors. This is a fascinating occupation and an extremely old one. Pottery was brought to America as early as 1635 when Philip Drinker worked in Massachusetts. The clay used by the potter is originally leached from rocks, has very fine particles and due to its adhesive nature, stick together and more easily moldable.
Most clay has varied colors in from impurities - white, red, yellow, tan and blue.
The old time potter dug his own clay with his bare hands and sifted out rocks, pebbles, leaves and what other debris might be found in it. The better he did in sifting, the better the finished product. After cleaning the clay it was mixed in a pug mill. To keep the clay from cracking in the kiln, the potter mixed it with clean sand while the clay was in a soupy state. Flint might be added if he wanted a stronger and harder stoneware.