Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Poor Potter of Yorktown
Historic Yorktown
Colonial National Historical Park
| | National Park Service | |
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 11, 2026
1. The Poor Potter of Yorktown (Cont.) Marker
Although not a potter himself, Rogers oversaw an amazingly large, almost industrial-size operation, producing a tremendous volume of earthenware and the first stoneware in North America. Rivaling British produced pottery, his wide range of forms and decorations illustrate that the "poor potter" offered both useful, and aesthetically pleasing wares to colonial kitchens and taverns.
With his death in 1739, Rogers left an estate inventory that listed the contents of the pottery. The factory may have produced some pottery until 1760, and as late as 1770, lots 51 and 55 were still referred to as the "Pothouse lots." But the memory of William Rogers and his pottery soon faded, and his factory was not rediscovered until the middle of the 20th century.
In his 1741 report to the British Board of Trade, Lt. Governor Gooch pronounced "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."
(caption) Range of William Rogers Wares Excavated in Williamsburg. Courtesy of Ceramics in America; photo, Gavin Ashworth; Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Archaeological Collection
Erected by National
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1739.
Location. 37° 14.016′ 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, 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
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.
More about this marker. This marker has no title but is one of two standalone panels continuing "The Poor Potter of Yorktown" panels directly next to it.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The marker is an extension of these two markers.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 11, 2026
3. Pottery Factory Kiln Ruins
Inside the NPS protective shed.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 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.
