Brown’s Pottery
Here’s a detailed history of Brown’s Pottery in Huntington, NY:
🏺 Early Origins (c. 1805)
The earliest confirmed record dates to May 8, 1805, in a deed by Timothy Williams, marking the sale of a quarter share in the pottery on Huntington Harbor. [fohbc.org]
Prior to this, it's possible the pottery dated to the mid-18th century, but documentary evidence is lacking. [preservati...island.org], [fohbc.org]
Ownership Transitions
By 1825: Controlled by Moses Scudder, who sold it in 1826 to Benjamin Keeler. [fohbc.org]
1827: Keeler sold to Matthew H. Gardiner and Henry Lewis; Gardiner exited in 1829, leaving Lewis in full control. [fohbc.org]
1854: Isaac Scudder Ketcham and Francis S. Hoyt acquired it; Hoyt soon left the partnership. [fohbc.org]
The Brown Brothers Era (1863–1905)
1863: Purchased by George, Stephen, and Thomas Brown of Poughkeepsie, marking the start of the Brown legacy. [fohbc.org], [edwardlang....omeka.net]
The initial maker’s mark was “Brown & Bros./Huntington L.I.”, later changed to“Brown Brothers/Huntington L.I.”. [fohbc.org]
Family & Production Highlights
1868: Stephen Brown briefly left, prompting a mark change to singular“Brown Brother/Huntington L.I.”. [fohbc.org]
1873–1879: Stephen rejoined; this era marked high artistic output with stenciled and slip-trailed pieces featuring epitaphs like “Mother Loves You,” “Look Within,” and “The Best We Have”. [fohbc.org]
1879: Stephen departed again, establishing his own pottery (marked “S. C. Brown/Huntington L.I.”) and closing by 1881. [fohbc.org]
By c. 1880–81, George remained the sole Brown in the enterprise, occasionally joined by his son by 1898. [fohbc.org]
Industrial Scale & Craft
At its peak, the pottery burned ~300 tons of local clay yearly (plus imported stoneware clay from NJ and slip from Albany), consumed 300 cords of wood, and used 60 baskets of salt for glazing. [edwardlang....omeka.net]
Their wares included jugs, jars, butter pots, pie dishes, urns, feeders, kegs, stove-pipe, vases, churns, and even epitaph-decorated stoneware. [edwardlang....omeka.net], [fohbc.org]
Decline & Closure
Late 19th century: Emergence of glass jar canning, refrigeration, and commercial food services reduced demand for stoneware. [fohbc.org]
1905: The pottery shut down for good; kilns were extinguished. [fohbc.org]
1918: All structures were demolished. [fohbc.org]
Legacy & Remembrance
1880: Artist Edward Lange captured the Brown Brothers Pottery in a notable watercolor depicting its daily activity. [edwardlang....omeka.net], [edwardlang....omeka.net]
1985: The watercolor underwent conservation, revealing a partially intact border naming the pottery and its establishment. [preservati...island.org], [preservati...island.org]
Modern recognition: A historical marker at 26 E Shore Road notes activity from 1863–1905, acknowledging an earlier origin in 1805. [hmdb.org]
The Huntington Historical Society occasionally features exhibits spotlighting early pottery, including works from Brown Brothers. [huntington...ociety.org]
Collector interest persists: Around 20 known epitaph stoneware pieces survive, prized among collectors. [fohbc.org]
Summary Table
1805 First recorded deed; origins possibly earlier [fohbc.org]
1825–1854 Ownership transitions: Scudder → Keeler → Gardiner/Lewis → Ketcham/Hoyt [fohbc.org]
1863–1905 Brown Brothers era; peak production, distinctive stoneware & earthenware [edwardlang....omeka.net], [fohbc.org], [edwardlang....omeka.net]
1905–1918 Closure and demolition of buildings [fohbc.org]
Post-1980s Artistic conservation; historical marker; collector and museum recognition [preservati...island.org], [hmdb.org], [huntington...ociety.org]
Why It Matters
Brown Brothers Pottery played a central role in Long Island’s industrial and cultural history—leveraging local clay for functional and decorative stoneware that supported local farms and households. Their products also now serve as artifacts of 19th‑century craftsmanship and regional heritage. The pottery is immortalized through artistic works, historical commemorations, and the enduring fascination of collectors.
