175 years of the Owen/Owens Pottery Family at the NC Pottery Center
The central part became the birthplace of North Carolina pottery in the mid-eighteenth century when several families came from Great Britain to the United States. They discovered that this area had red and grey soil and that trees were plentiful. This clay was perfect for the utilitarian pots that the families made. Among those potters were members of the Owen family. Many of the early potters have descendants who are carrying on the utilitarian and art pottery tradition today.
J. J. Owen was the first-generation Owen potter who lived from 1830 – 1905. The oldest piece was a salt glaze preserve jar believed to have been fired in the 1870s. His son, MW Owen, was also a potter. Born to him were three sons, Rufus, James H., and M.L. All three followed in their family tradition and became well-known Randolph county potters. J. H. Owen produced clear lead-glazed earthenware in the late nineteenth or early 20th century. Descendants of M. L. and Rufus continue producing pottery today.
J. H. Owens was the Owens family member who began to produce pottery near Seagrove in 1895. The community was named Jugtown because of the many potters who worked in the area. However, it was not named Jugtown Pottery until 1921, until Jacques and Juliana Busbee arrived from Raleigh. They found an orange pie plate that originated in Moore County. The clay in the region was perfect for the orange, earthenware, and salt glazed Utilitarian pottery they saw when visiting. The Busbees started promoting the area pottery and eventually hired Vernon Owens in 1960. The pottery was bought by Nancy Sweeny and she began to develop more vibrant colors that helped make Jugtown Pottery more desirable. She sold the pottery to Vernon Owens in 1983. Today Vernon and his wife, Pam Owens, and their children own the pottery. They all continue to produce pottery today. The pottery is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Another of the Owens’ ventures was Owens Original Pottery. This pottery is said to be the oldest pottery in North Carolina. It was started by M. L. Owens near his father’s site in Westmoore community. He and his wife, Marie, sold the pottery to his son, Boyd Owens in the seventies. Boyd and his sister, Nancy Owens Brewer operate Owen’s Original Pottery, throwing unique, beautiful pieces.
Source: Heart of Carolina Newsroom
175 years of the Owen/Owens Pottery Family at the NC Pottery Center