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| Technology | Earthen Pipe |
Earthen pipes, also known as clay or stone ware, were usually made by potters and could be glazed or unglazed. They were used in Roman waterworks and also in some English works, such as Portsmouth in 1595. Earthen conduits were mentioned by Dr. Joseph Browne in a 1799 letter, and many companies produced them in the early Nineteenth Century. Terra cotta water pipes were used after the Civil War.
Michael Freytag and John Curtis proposed to make earthenware pipes for the new Philadelphia water works in 1801, but "no one believed in them." Freytag and Curtis were potters in Philadelphia, see 1980 reference.
Jesse Kersey, Chester County, PA 1820, used in Reading, Pennsylvania
Vickers and Valentine, Reading, PA 1822
Joseph Putnam Stone ware pipe, Salem, MA 1827
The Southern Porcelain Company - Kaolin, South Carolina, 1856
Kaolin Company, Augusta, Georgia 1857
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| California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 9(21):165 (June 11, 1868) |
A few water works systems used earthen pipes, but they were universally unsuccessful and replaced with other materials.
Farmington, Connecticut, date unknown.
Troy New York 1812 Earthen Conduit Company of Troy
Washington DC 1826 Bakewell
Kennett Square, PA 1842 Terra Cotta
Chicopee MA Vitified pipe
Augusta GA, Kaolin pipe
Sacramento CA 1858
Auburn CA 1858
Marysville CA 1858
Suisun City CA 1858
Hazleton, PA about 1860, Terra Cotta
Honesdale, PA 1863 Terra Cotta
Haverhill, MA 1864 earthen pipe
White Haven, PA, about 1870, Terra cotta
Saint Paul, MN 1870
Brookline, MA 1875
Richfield Springs, NY 1879. Ten-inch earthenware pipe one-half mile long.
Westminster MD 1883
Atlantic City NJ 1883
References
1805 Samuel Bartlett, patent #637X, October 1, 1805 for Pipes of
clay, conduit, Hartford, Connecticut. Another patent #987X, January
5, 1809 for conduit, clay, Hartford, Connecticut. Sales agent for
Connecticut (except Windsor County), - Nathaniel Seymour, West Hartford,
1807. Pipes may have been used in Farmington, Connecticut.
1806 "Conduit, Samuel Bartlett," Connecticut Courant, February 26, 1806, Page 2.
1806 Samuel Bakewell, 1806, no patent, widely advertised and used in Washington, D. C.
1808 Robert Ramsey, patent #893X, June 24, 1808 for pipes, conduit, mode of making from clay, Hanover, New Hampshire.
1807 "Nathaniel Seymour, of West-Hartford," American Mercury, February 19, 1807, Page 1.
1810 "Earthen
Aqueducts," New-England Palladium (Boston, Massachusetts),
January 9, 1810, Page 1.
Mr. Robert Ramsay, of Hanover, N.H. has invented a machine, with which he
moulds and presses clay pipes for Aqueducts. By the operation of
this machine pipes are moulder, and pressed so hard, that when property
burnt, they are nearly as solid and heavy as stone. The pipes are
about eighteen inches in length, and can be made to any dimensions,
necessary for common Aqueducts. They are made with such facility,
that the cost does not exceed wooden pipes. Their strength and
durability are incalculabe. If property burnt, they will last as
long as stone. The water conveyed in these earthen pipes, will not
be contaminated by them. This invention promises much. The
pipes are joined something in the manner of wooden Aqueduct pipes, and
fastened by a strong, cheap and durable cement.
1810 James Ramsey, patent #1258X, April 4, 1810 for Tubes, clay, for aqueduct, Burke, Vermont. Used at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and Troy, New York
1811 "James Rumsey's Patent Machine for making earthen Aqueduct Pipes," Hartford Courant, October 2, 1811, Page 3.
1820 Village
Record (West Chester PA), March 8, 1820, page 3.
The Subscribers Inform, that they are now provided with a handsome stock
of EARTHEN PIPE For the conveyance of water underground. These pipes
are connected with a a durable cement, and are capable of sustaining a
considerable pressure. They have been proved in several different
places, and are preferred by all who have tried them. It is
presumed, that they will obtain a general preference, as their durability
is greater than can be expected from bored logs; and the water passing
through them is more pure. We might refer the public to a number of
persons who have tried them, but we need that unnecessary.
They also continue the Earthenware business, on a scale sufficient
extensive to afford a liberal supply to Store keepers. All orders
sent by mail to the Downington post office, will be promptly attended to;
and ware of the first quality delivered.
JESSE KERSEY, & Co. 2d month 29, 1820
1826 John Bower, Patent #4,591X, Mode of making clay pipes, East Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1826
1827 Joseph Putnam, Patent #4,640X, Mode of making pipes, tubes, etc., Salem, Massachusetts, January 17, 1827.
1828 Thomas Wickersham, making clay pipes, Patent #5,110X, Newbury, York County, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1828.
1851 "Stone Water Pipes," The Cincinnati Enquirer, November 19, 1851, Page 1.
1857 "Earthen
Water Pipes," Oroville Daily Butte Record (Oroville,
California), October 10, 1857, Page 2.
The Age says that earthen water pipes of a very superior quality, are
being made at the Brannan Pottery, near Sutter's Fort. They are
vastly cheaper than iron pipe, and just as serviceable once put in their
places.
1858 "Potteries,"
Sacramento Daily Union, January 1, 1858, Page 2.
The Sacramento Pottery, (S.C. Bruce, proprietor) located near the Fort,
has discontinued the manufacture, except as to earthen pipe, which is
conducted with machinery. The pipe, which is of superior quality,
and in demand for irrigation purposes, is constructed of all sizes, from
1¼ to 4 inch diameter, and with singular facility. The same
machinery is capable of manufacturing the hollow or tubular brick, and has
turned out a small lot for the San Francisco market. It is
contemplated to erect a steam engine in the spring, and to conduct the
manufacture with steam power on an extensive scale.
1858 "Earthen
Water Pipe," California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences
10(2):165 (August 13, 1868)
This kind of pipe is now becoming known, and quite extensively used, to
convey water under ground. So far as heard from, it has given perfect
satisfaction, and been found to answer the purpose admirably. The cost of
the pipe makes it the cheapest and best pipe used; and being made by
machinery of the most perfect construction, it will make handsome joints
and finished work. About one mile of this pipe has been used in Suisun
City. It is also used extensively in Sacramento. About 1500 feet was
purchased for Auburn. The Stockton Asylum use it extensively to convey
water. Maj. Hensley, of San Jose, has engaged 4000 feet for water piping,
and Judge Bliss, of Marysvillc, about 1500 feet. These are some instances
of its use; and from the testimony received from various sources, the
public can rest assured it is worthy their attention. We learn that the
company who manufacture this pipe, and whose advertisement appears in our
columns, will have samples, of various sizes, as well as their new fluted
brick, on exhibition at the State Fair, and also at the Mechanics' Fair.
A. K. Grim. Esq., of Sacramento, is the agent of the company, and will
furnish every information requisite.
1860 Weekly
Miners' Journal (Pottsville, Pennsylvania), April 21, 1860,
Page 3.
Terra-Cotta Pipe Agency! Stone Pipes, for conveying water to
colleries or dwellings, and as discharge pipes for carrying water
off. The subscribers have on hand, and are prepared to furnish stone
pipes from 2 to 12 inches in diameter--with elbows and connections for
connecting at any angle.
1860 "Home
Industry - Southern Porcelain Company," Georgia Weekly Telegraph,
October 4, 1860, Page 6.
The company are also manufacturing porcelain water pipes, and have now
contracts on hand for $50,000 worth of those, a large portion of which is
for the water-works of the city of Augusta.
1884 History
of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Volume 1, by John Thomas Scharf
and Thompson Westcott
Page 510: 1801. Michael Freytag and John Curtis proposed to make
earthenware pipes, but no one believed in them.
1887 "Earthen-Ware pipes," by A. H. Howland, The American Engineer 13:156 (May 4, 1887)
1888 "The Use of Salt Glazed Vitrified Pipe in Water-Works Conduits," by Stephen E. Babcock, C.E., Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the American Water Works Association 9:29-46 (April 1888) Also includes information on wood stave conduits.
1888 "The Use of Salt Glazed Vitrified Pipe in Water-Works Conduits," by Stephen E. Babcock, C.E., Engineering News 19:331-333 (April 28, 1888)
1896 "Tests of the Tightness of a Vitrified Earthenware Water Conduit," by Dabney, H. Maury, Jr., Superintendent, Period Water Co., Engineering News 35:341-342 (May 21, 1896)
1980 Handcraft
to Industry: Philadelphia Ceramics in the First Half of the Nineteenth
Century by Susan H. Myers
Page 38: John Brelsford was a potter by 1846 and by 1849 he had
established the "Northern Liberties Stone Ware Manufactory" at New Market
and Germantown Road. In 1853 he advertised that he made water pipes,
chemical stoneware, and general household ware.
Page 49: Note 31. South Fifth between Cedar and Shippen: Michael Freytag,
by 1794-1807; Daniel Freytag, 1808-1824.
Page 55: Brelsford, John 1846-1858. Potter at New Market and Germantown
Road between 1846 and 1857. He may have operated his own pottery during
all of this 12-year period although he listed himself only as "potter"
until 1849 when he advertised his "Northern Liberties Stone Ware
Manufactory . . . orders received at John Eckstein's, 36 n 3d st,
Cornelius & Son, 176 Chesnut st." In the same year he listed the
"Northern Earthenware Factory" but there is no indication that he
continued to make earthenware. Brelsford is included in the 1850 census of
manufactures (MC 3; see Appendix II). In 1853 the directory indicates that
he was "manufr. of Chemical Apparatus, Stone Water Pipes, and Stoneware in
general." (PD 63-65, 68-74, 76, 78-82, 84, 88.) Two examples of his
household stoneware are illustrated in Figures 26 and 27.
Page 57: Curtis, John 1797-1831? From 1797 through 1804 John Curtis,
presumably the son of the above mentioned John Curtis, was a potter at 405
South Front Street. Apparently expanding the pottery, his address included
407 as well as 405 South Front between 1805 and 1822. He is listed at 405,
407, and/or 409 South Front Street as late as 1831 but is not listed as a
potter after 1824.
Page 59: Freytag, Daniel 1806-1824. Probably the son of Michael Freytag,
Daniel Freytag was a potter at 409 North Front Street in 1806 and 1807 and
by 1808 was at the family pottery on South Fifth Street between Cedar and
Shippen. When Michael Freytag changed his occupation to Justice of the
Peace in 1808 he apparently retired from the potting business, turning the
operation over to Daniel. (PD 19-21)
In 1810, Charles Dasher, an apprentice under Michael Freytag since 1805,
was rebound to Daniel Freytag. By 1811 Daniel Freytag was making fine ware
and was given special mention in the "Census" city directory.
Page 60: Freytag, Michael By 1794-1807 Potter at South Fifth Street
between Cedar and Shippen from 1794 to 1807. In 1808 he gave up potting
and became "justice of the peace," maintaining his address in the same
block as the pottery. (PD 4, 8-10, 12, 15-21.) Michael Freytag's pottery
is undoubtedly the one referred to in the following 1797 advertisement:
Earthen Ware Manufactory.—Cheap Iron Kettles. For Sale, Three large
cast-iron Kettles or Boilers, generally used for boiling sugar in the
West-Indies, and post askes, [sic] etc. in this country. Apply at the
Earthen Ware Manufactory, in Fifth below South street.
Page 105: Note 6. 6. For convenience of definition, ceramic bodies
generally are divided into three major types—earthenware, stoneware, and
porcelain—essentially determined by the composition of the clay, the
porosity and density of the finished product, and the temperature to which
each must be fired relative to the type of clay used and the end result
desired. The first, earthenware, is fired to the lowest temperature,
generally is porous, and consequently requires a glaze if it is to be
watertight. It ranges in color between buff and red and can be made very
light in color by the addition of a light-burning clay. Stoneware has a
higher firing point than earthenware, is buff, grey, or brown in color,
and requires no glaze to be watertight, though it usually is glazed for
general utility and appearance. Stoneware is highly vitrified but not
translucent as is porcelain. Porcelain has a vitrified and translucent
body and usually is white in color. Authorities differ on the precise
distinction in firing range between the three types but there is general
agreement on the approximate figures of below 1200°C for earthenware,
between 1200°C and 1400°C for stoneware, and roughly 1300°C and above for
porcelain.
Also see the general bibliography page, which includes links to several
lists of waterworks with information about pipes.
© 2016 Morris A. Pierce
