A small amount of North Devon gravel-tempered ware was found in sites excavated in Williamsburg by Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. These excavations have been carried out as adjuncts to the Williamsburg restoration program over a 30-year period. Few of the North Devon sherds found can be closely dated, having occurred primarily in undocumented ditches, pits, and similar deposits. However, it is unlikely that any of the material dates earlier than the beginning of the 18th century, since Williamsburg was not authorized as a town until 1699. It is significant, in the light of this, that North Devon pan sherds in the Williamsburg collection have characteristics like those of specimens from other 18th-century sites. Also significant is the fact that no sgraffito ware occurs here. A gravel-tempered pan (fig. 23) from the Coke-Garrett House site was found in a context that can be dated about 1740-1760.
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| Figure 17.—Views of North Devon harvest jug used in SussexCounty, Delaware. This jug, 11 inches high and dated 1698, is in the collection of Charles G. Dorman. The inscription reads: | ||
| “Kind Sr: i com to Gratifiey youre Kindness Love and Courtisy andSarve youre table with Strong beare for this intent i was sent heare:or if you pleas i will supply youre workmen when in harvist dry whenthey doe labour hard and sweare good drinke is better far then Meat” | ||
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA: SITE OF JOHN WASHINGTON HOUSE.
In 1930 the National Park Service became custodians for “Wakefield,” the George Washington birthplace site on Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland County. About a mile to the west of “Wakefield” itself, but within the Park area, is the site of Bridges Creek Plantation, purchased in 1664 by John Washington, the earliest member of the family in America. It was occupied by John at least until his death in 1677, and probably by Lawrence Washington until a few years later. Much artifactual material was dug from the plantation house site, including the largest deposits of North Devon types found outside of Jamestown.[65]
STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA: MARLBOROUGH SITE.
A short-lived town was built in 1691 at the confluence of Potomac Creek and the Potomac River on Potomac Neck. The town was abandoned by 1720, but six years later became the abode of John Mercer, who developed a plantation there. The site of his house was excavated by the Smithsonian Institution in 1956. Two small sherds of North Devon gravel-tempered ware were found there in a predominantly mid-18th-century deposit.
Figure 18.—Gravel-tempered pan (top) and cooking pot with cover, all from Jamestown. The pan has a height of 4½ inches and a diameter of 15 inches. The pot is 6 inches high and 9½ inches in diameter; the diameter of its cover is 10 inches. Colonial National Historical Park.