Day Pottery

The Day Pottery is one of the Norwalk Potteries, located in Norwalk, Connecticut. Absalom Day (1770-1842) was a potter, itinerant Methodist minister, and farmer. His wife was Betsey Smith, aunt of Asa E. Smith, founder of the Smith Pottery and relative of the Hoyts. Based on land and deed records, it is evident that Day was in South Norwalk, Connecticut, during or before 1793 and that in 1796 he became the owner of a pottery. Between 1831 and 1834, both, and then one, of Day's sons leased the pottery. Beginning in 1834, Day leased the property to William Taylor, who was an earthenware manufacturer in the company Day, Venables & Taylor. On 31 December 1841, Absalom Day deeded the pottery to his son, Noah S. Day. Between 1843 and 1849, Noah S. Day formed a partnership with Asa E. Smith. On 3 March 1852, the property was deeded to the Russell and Erwin Manufacturing Company of New Britain. Attributions to Day Pottery ceramics are made based on ceramics owned by the descendants of Absalom Day. These are pictured in: Andrew L. and Kate Barber Winton, "Norwalk Potteries" (Canaan, NH: Phoenix Publishing, Friends of Lockwood House, Inc., 1934, 198, p. 7-15). The Smith & Day partnership marked their own ceramics.