It is only when we arrive at this document that we find the clue we are seeking: "my interest is that no potters ware not burnt and fit for sale should be appraised." Who but a potter (or the owner of a pottery) would have had in his possession unfired "potters ware" not "fit for sale"?
Any remaining doubts that Rogers operated a pottery are dispelled by the inventory (see Appendix III), which describes the estate of a wealthy man, not a "poor" potter. He owned 29 Negroes, considerable plate, a clock worth £6, a silver-hilted sword and spurs, and a silver watch. There were many pictures, including "a Neat Picture of King Charles the Second" and "52 pictures in the Hall." Some of the rooms had "Window Curtains & Vallins," and one of the beds had "work'd Curtains & Vallins" [presumably crewel-worked]. The furniture included a marble table, "12 Chairs with Walnut frames & Cane bottoms," a "japand corner cupboard," "Couch Squab and pillows," "pcl Backgammon Tables," and a great deal more of lavish furnishings. But more important for us is a grouping of items:[214]
- 1 p^r large Scales & Weights £2.10 a pcl crakt redware £2
- a parcel crakt Stone D^o £5 11 pocket bottles 3/8
- ½ barrel Gun powder £2.10 1 old Sain & ropes £1.10
- 1 horse Mill £8 2300 lb. old Iron £9.11. 8
- 26 doz q^t Mugs £5.4 60 doz p^t D^o 7.10
- 11 doz Milk pans £2.4 9 large Cream potts 4/6
- 9 Midle Sized D^o 3/ 12 Small D^o 2/
- 2 doz red Saucepans 4/ 2 doz porringers 4/
- 6 Chamber potts 2/ 4 doz bird bottles 12/
- 3 doz Lamps 9/ 4 doz small stone bottles 6/
- 4 doz small dishes 8/ 6 doz puding pans 2/
- 26 Cedar pailes £2.12 40 Bushels Salt £4
With this, added to the provision in the will, we have adequate proof that Rogers ran a pottery shop and that he made both stoneware and red earthenware.
Further evidence is found in the Virginia Gazette for February 4, 1740:
To be Sold by Way of Outcry, at the house of Mr. William Rogers, deceas'd ... all the Household Goods, Cattle, and Horses; also a very good drought of Steers, 3 Carts, a Parcel of Wheat, and Salt, a large Parcel of old Iron, Parcel of Stone and Earthen Ware, a good Worm Still, a very good Horse Mill to go with one Horse; also a new Sloop, built last March with all new Rigging, and very well fitted, with 2 very good Boats and several other Things.[215]
The horse mill was probably the potter's traditional clay-grinding mill, while we may assume that the large amount of salt was intended for stoneware glaze. Other items in the inventory show that Rogers was in both the brewing and the distilling business and every evidence is that he had achieved great affluence.
Governor Gooch's last report on the "poor potter" was filed in 1741 (none having been sent in 1740). In it he stated:
The poor potter is Dead, and the business of making potts & panns, is of little advantage to his Family, and as little Damage to the Trade of our Mother Country.[216]
There is little question now that this William Rogers was, indeed, the "poor potter." We also learn from this report that the business was being continued by his family after his death. This is confirmed by a number of documentary clues, the first of which occurs in an indenture of 1741 (proved in 1743 in the York County Deeds). It begins: