Glassmaking in "early" New Hampshire
by Michael George

  Did you know that glassmaking was the first industry in America? There is a wealth of historical importance in the area of glassmaking in New Hampshire, dating back to the American Revolution. New Hampshire, the Monadanock region in particular, was the choice for numerous glasshouses because of its abundance of wood for fueling the operations and high-quality sand, an important ingredient for glassmaking. However, as many locals know, the elements and terrain in this region can be very harsh.

  The first “experiment” in producing glass in New Hampshire began 1780, and unfortunately, only survived for a couple of years. Robert Hewes, a prominent Boston businessman, selected the mountainside of Temple, NH to construct his factory.

  He employed Hessian soldiers that deserted from the British Army, as glassblowers. This factory was known as the “New England Glassworks”. The glasshouse was burned down, rebuilt and burned again, all within 2 years. Hewes attempted to raise money to rebuild the glassworks, however, this failed and Hewes moved back to Boston. The glass produced at the Temple site was primarily crown window glass, as well as many utilitarian wares such as chestnut bottles and freeblown vials. The colors of this glass range from colorless to shades of light green, light olive and olive-ambers. There are a few “documented” whole examples from this works, and many pieces attributed, however without documentation.

   There were a few glasshouses in Keene during the first half of the 19th century. One was formed in 1814 and blew primarily window glass. This was known as the “Keene Window Glass Factory”, and the company flourished until the 1850s, however, there were very few bottles, flasks or utilities blown there. The concentration of the collectible flint glass tableware, bottles, and flasks was produced at the Keene-Marlboro Street factory. Henry Schoolcraft (later known for his exploration of the Ozarks and documentation of Native Americans) established this factory in 1815 with the help of associates, Daniel Watson and Timothy Twitchell. They produced primarily patterned flint glass tableware (decanters, tumblers, pans, etc) to compete with the imported cut glass. These geometric patterns were quite beautiful and intricate in design. Colors of the flint glass range from colorless to deep blues and greens. The factory also produced many early flasks which include designs of eagles, sunburst and Masonic emblems.
   After running into financial difficulties, the factory was taken over by Justus Perry in 1819. Efforts were concentrated on flasks, bottles, inkwells and utilitarian wares made from bottle glass in deeper, darker colors. Although this “bottle” glass was less refined than that of the earlier flint glass, it proved to be more cost-effective. Perry took on a partner, John Wood, in 1822, who later sold his shares in the company to Sumner Wheeler in 1828. The Keene sunburst flasks were produced at this time. These flasks were embossed within the center of the rays, “Keen” and “P&W”, and are available in a pint and 1/2 pint size. Perry and Wheeler continued to produce bottles, flasks, inks and commercial wares until around 1841. As the business began to dissolve, one of the master glassblowers, Joseph Foster, also known as “Old Bottle Foster”, purchased many of the Marlboro Street Glass Factory assets and moved to Stoddard, NH where he began a glass business in this small town which lasted over 31 years.

The Foster Factories
   The small town of Stoddard, located in the hills of Southwestern NH, was the home to numerous glasshouses through the mid 19th century. Joseph Foster, a top glassblower at the Keene-Marlboro Street glassworks, had purchased many of the assets and begun his own operations in Stoddard. His first furnace was located in South Stoddard, and blew many bottles and flasks, some that had originated from the Keene factory molds, such as the Cornucopia/ Urn flasks and the Eagle/ Cornucopia flasks, Railroad flasks, as well as blacking bottles, whiskeys, inkwells, medicine/ utility bottles and many demijohns and jars. Although wood and sand were quite plentiful in Stoddard, adequate transportation of the bottles was difficult given the isolated proximity of the town to any railways. Closest shipping points were over 20 miles away. His first furnace burned, and was rebuilt at a different location, and the financial woes continued. Over the next eight years, Foster struggled to make ends meet, and eventually sold off his property and any operations. This would be the end of Joseph Foster’s glass factory in NH, however, his children would play a role in the industry in later years.

Granite Glass Company
   In the meantime, another glass company formed under the partnership of Gilman Scripture, John Whiton and Calvin Curtis, who had begun operations in Mill Village, Stoddard, around 1846. Mill Village is located between Island pond and Highland Lake. This factory was known as the Granite Glass Company. This factory is known for its eagle flasks which bear its name, embossed “Granite Glass Co” and “Stoddard, NH”. Other production included numerous medicine bottles, such as the Dr. Townsend’s Sarsaparilla. Because of the limited production, and embossing which usually included an elaborate concoction, these wonderful medicine bottles have become prized possessions for many collectors. Who could resist the lure of a “celebrated health restoring bitters” or a “vegetable cancer and canker syrup”. Inkwells for the Farley’s store in Marlow, NH were produced here as well as many other cone and umbrella inks, including a unique 16-sided umbrella. This factory also blew many off-hand pieces such as jars, hats, whimsies, creamers, bowls, and the beautifully decorated lily-pad pitchers, probably blown by master glassblower, Matt Johnson. The glass from these factories can range in color and consistency, however, the majority color ranges from deep root beer amber to a brilliant light “honey” amber. There were also many olive hues and even some green glass. The glass character is bubbly, whittled and crude, although very durable. This factory went through hardships and ownership changes until its final closing in 1862.

Weeks and Gilson Works
   There was yet another glasshouse operating in Stoddard at this time. In 1850, Luman Weeks and Frederick Gilson, and a few investors, organized an operation in South Stoddard, known as the South Stoddard Glass Company. Also known as the Weeks and Gilson factory, collectors may be familiar with the base embossed whiskeys that bear its name. This was the longest running factory in Stoddard, spanning a little over two decades. Most notable items from this factory include many umbrella inkwells, many of the smooth-based and iron pontil medicines, such as the Kimball’s Jaundice Bitters, Hartshorn’s Medicine, and CA Richards. Of mass production were the Stoddard “stubby” beers, three-piece-mold whiskeys and the bottles for the emerging spring water market. These spring water bottles were a large contribution to the success of this factory. As the popularity and competition grew for the “Saratoga” spring waters, as did the business for the Weeks and Gilson factory, which seemed to have the market cornered at the time. The glass blown at this factory consisted of a wide range of ambers, from light honey to brilliant red “blood” amber, and everything in between. The depression during the years following the civil war, and the lack of production of the popular “aqua” colored glass, led to the closing of this factory in 1873. The warehouse containing thousands of bottles was burned in 1877, leaving melted and distorted bottles strewn about the area.

New Granite Glass Works
   During the activities of the Weeks and Gilson factory in South Stoddard, another factory was emerging in Mill Village. The sons of Joseph Foster established the New Granite Glass Works in 1860. Led by George Foster, the facility employed brothers Charles, Wallace and Joseph Foster Jr., as well as many townspeople. It is reported that during the height of the glass industry in Stoddard during the 1860s, the factories employed over 800 townspeople. Of the many bottles, demijohns, and commercial wares blown at this factory, one important flask stands out, the icon Stoddard flag flask. Embossed with an American flag on one side, the other side is embossed “New Granite Glass Company, Stoddard NH”. These were produced in a pint and ? pint size. This factory also produced many of the whimsical pieces that desired by glass enthusiasts, such as wonderful lily-pad designs, elaborate canes, creamers and bowls. Also known for the vibrant amber colors, the glass from these works can also be found in olive tones. The factory burned in 1871, and was not rebuilt.

It is noted that many of these glasshouses, with overlapping time spans of each other, were known to have shared molds, handled work overflows, etc. A collector will often encounter two bottles of the same mold, however, exhibiting completely different colors and characteristics. These bottles could have easily been blown at two different glasshouses, as the business of many merchants lasted longer than some of the glass businesses.

  There were other glasshouses in NH that followed the Stoddard glassmaking era, most notably, the Lyndeboro factory, but I’ll save that one for another story. The Temple, Keene and Stoddard glassworks represent some of the most versatile and creative glass of its time, and some of the most collectible glass of our time. Today, some rare items from these glasshouses can sell for thousands of dollars, however, some glass, such as the Stoddard lily pad pitcher, has been reproduced. The author of this article is an avid collector, and welcomes any of your inquiries. If you are interested in learning more about historic New Hampshire glass, or would like a free assessment of your bottles, flasks or early glassware, feel free to contact Michael George at 603.765.8079 or email him at earlyglass@adelphia.net.

Publications and Clubs

“A Rare Collection of Keene & Stoddard Glass” by Lyman and Sally Lane / Joan Pappas
“On The Trail Of Stoddard Glass” by Anne E. Field
“Old Bottle Foster” by John Morrill Foster

 There are bottle clubs in all states, check the internet or email the author to find one in your area.