Pottery Clay Q36 - Cowee, NC
Posted by: 
vhasler
N 35° 15.713 W 083° 24.628
17S E 280721 N 3904749
Local white clay was used to make early Wedgewood china in England
Waymark Code: WM98WR
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 07/15/2010
Views: 6
Sign Text:
Wedgewood potteries, England, used several tons of clay taken in 1767 from nearby pit by Thomas Griffiths, a South Carolina planter.
"In 1767, British pottery manufacturer Josiah Wedgewood sent South Carolina planter Thomas Griffiths to make [arrangement with Cherokee chiefs for the right to mine their clay]. The Indians were quickly learning the game, and they set a high price for the clay that the white men wanted so badly. The traders who supplied the packhorses did likewise. Nonetheless, Griffiths managed to ship several tons of the white clay to England. It was made into the inaugural Queensware, for which Josiah Wedgewood and his company were to be famous."
From "Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads" by Carolyn Sakowski (which is an excellent book - as is the Tennessee version).
At the intersection Bryson City Highway NC28 and West Mills SR1350.
Visit Instructions:Photos of your visit to the marker are required, but PLEASE, no old vacation photos taken just because it was there!
Comments about your visit, interesting nearby areas and any significant information you may have on this waymark are encouraged.
Most of all, enjoy the History that North Carolina has to offer! From the Mountains to the Ocean .. it's all here!