PEOPLE
of Marblehead Pottery
Marblehead Pottery was always a small operation. According to Dr. Hall, the pottery never employed more than 6 people at one time.
In 1916 Dr. Hall wrote in Handicrafts for the Handicapped that “two of its principal workers to-day had their apprenticeship as patients twelve years ago” but does not reveal which of his employees were former patients. Since all of the patients who were cared for during the first few years of his program were women, it is possible that Sarah Tutt, Maude Milner, Annie Aldrich or Rachel Grinnell were former patients.
“Marblehead” watercolor by Maurice Prendergast, 1914, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Herbert Hall, M.D.
Physician founder of Handicraft Shops and owner of Marblehead Pottery until sale to Arthur Baggs in 1915.
Arthur Baggs
Directed the pottery from 1905 until closing in 1936
John Swallow
(1856-1920) an English potter was responsible for throwing Marblehead pieces. He was active in the United States from his arrival in the US until his death in 1920.
Miss Maude Milner
Designed decoration on Marblehead Pottery from 1905 until 1911.
Mr. E. J. Lewis
The kiln man was discussed in Dr Hall’s 1909 Keramic Studio article. According to Hall, Mr. Lewis attended “to all firing and stacking.”
Arthur Hennessey
Designer of Marblehead Pottery decoration.
Miss Annie E. Aldrich
(1857-1937)
contributed occasional “clever designs” though not a formal employee. The design of a piece in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago has been attributed to her. She was a member of the Boston Art Club.
Rachel Grinnell
contributed designs in 1906 and 1907, though not part of regular staff. Her name was written as Grinwell in Hall’s later text.
Jessie Luther
(1860-1952) was the first employed weaver at the Handicraft Workshop (1903-1906). She had been the Director at the Hull House Labor Museum in Chicago (1900-1903) under the direction of Jane Addams. She had studied at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and in Paris. Initially she taught woodcarving, basket weaving, pottery and metalwork. She established glaze colors. Baggs was hired in her absence to perfect those glazes.
Sarah Main
(Mrs. Edward D.) Tutt
(1859-1947) Principal decorator of Marblehead Pottery.
Benjamin Tutt
reported by Hercher to work on lathe trimming of pottery and packed mail order shipments. He reportedly was the brother of Hannah Lucy Tutt. He was said to have owned a piece of pottery (or one similar to it) in the Art Institute of Chicago collection.
Hannah Tutt
the sister-in-law of Sarah Tutt. She may have done some book keeping for the pottery.
Mrs . John Swallow
“sometimes assists” with detail work during rush times.
