The City Hall Park Project - Crolius and Remmey

The Crolius and Remmey potters were among the first stoneware potters of the German tradition in Manhattan. From approximately 1742 to 1814 these related families lived on Pot Baker's Hill, just north of modern City Hall Park, which lay on the outskirts of the city. Johan Willem (William) Crolius and John Remmey immigrated as adults to New York from the Rhineland and married sisters of the Corselius family, another Rhineland potter family. The area of Rhineland that these families immigrated from was famous for its stoneware production, and it is quite likely that they were trained as potters in Germany.

The Revolution

During British occupation of the city, Crolius' sons John and William II left New York. Crolius' property was either confiscated or destroyed by the British. However, the kiln of Remmey's son, John II, remained in operation throughout occupation.

The Collection

A high proportion of stoneware wasters make up the City Hall Park ceramic collection. Vessel forms are largely utilitarian storage jars, jugs, and pots, however, mugs, porringers, tankards, and pitchers are also present. Of particular note are vessels in the unique form of a shallow dish, previously unseen in stoneware assemblages from the New York City area. The most common decorative technique is salt glazed with painted cobalt blue designs including spiral, spiral butterfly, swags, and dots.

A salt-glazed stoneware crock with a butterfly design	A shallow dish of a previously unknown form	A porringer
A salt-glazed stoneware crock with an iron-oxide wash	This kiln furniture was used to hold pieces in place during the firing process.	Salt-glazed stoneware