Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Poor Potter of Yorktown (Cont.)

Historic Yorktown

— Colonial National Historical Park —

The Poor Potter of Yorktown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 11, 2026

1. The Poor Potter of Yorktown Marker

Inscription. Little is known about William Rogers. Prior to sailing to America, he was engaged in trade, exporting goods from Great Britain to Pennsylvania and Virginia. In May 1711, Rogers bought Yorktown lots 51 and 55, where he built his house and pottery factory. In the three decades before his death, Rogers expanded his property holdings in and around Yorktown including a warehouse on the waterfront.

Although Rogers initially established himself in Yorktown as a brewer, selling the "best Virga aile" to local taverns, he claimed many titles during his lifetime - brewer, potter, landowner, shipping financier, military officer and official surveyor of Yorktown's streets. His pottery factory complemented his brewery, supplying tavern keepers with mugs, tankards, and bottles. Rogers also shipped wares to customers throughout Tidewater Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, and probably to ports along New England and Caribbean shores. Occasionally his name appears in the public record as a contender in lawsuits with tavern keepers or servants; consistently, as a "merchant" and "gentleman." Rogers's hard work—and many business endeavors—elevated

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him to a position of status and wealth.

(captions)
When Yorktown was surveyed in 1691, lots 51 and 55 were located in the outer edge of town.

This 1725 account book entry is one of the few surviving accounts that give direct evidence of William Rogers selling ceramic wares. Courtesy of The Library of Virginia

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1711.

Location. 37° 14.017′ N, 76° 30.505′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It is on Read Street 0.1 miles south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 221 Read Street, Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally,

William Rogers' Pottery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 11, 2026

2. William Rogers' Pottery

This National Park Service shed houses an excavated kiln from the pottery factory operated by the "poor potter" William Rogers. View from the marker.

it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Poor Potter of Yorktown (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Poor Potter of Yorktown (here, next to this marker); Revealing the Past (a few steps from this marker); The Work Shop and Laborers (a few steps from this marker); The Large Kiln (a few steps from this marker); The Waster Pit (a few steps from this marker); Ballard House, circa 1709 (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith House, circa 1750 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

More about this marker. This marker has no title but is one of two standalone panels continuing "The Poor Potter of Yorktown" panel directly next to it.

Related markers. Click here

Pottery Factory Kiln Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 11, 2026

3. Pottery Factory Kiln Ruins

Inside the NPS protective shed.

for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These markers are extensions that precede, and follow, this one sequentially.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.