The Progress
A production list of Charles F. Decker, Jr., dated 1872, in the Beverly Burbage Papers, housed in the Archives of Appalachia, gives an indication of the daily output in the early days of Keystone Pottery. In September, 604 pieces were processed, and in late October and early November, 1,488 pieces. The prices ranged from one cent for one-quarter gallon jars, to four cents for two-gallon jars or crocks. The total price was $24.84 for 1,488 pieces of pottery. In later years, at the height of production, pottery was sold by the gallon for ten to twelve cents per gallon. Specialty pieces such as the large urns were sold for three to six dollars per pair, and a tombstone set (headstone and footstone) was sold for $3.50. Decker had as many as twenty-five potters working for him on a piece-rate basis. These potters could turn out several hundred crocks or jugs in a week’s time. Charles F. Decker, Jr., turned 759 gallons in a four-week period. If all of the potters whom Decker employed were producing at this rate, Keystone Pottery was producing several thousand pieces per month.
On August 30, 1873, the following advertisement appeared in the East Tennessee Echo, a Jonesboro newspaper:
Stoneware! Stoneware!
Now is the time to buy your stoneware cheap. Mess. Davis and Decker, formerly of Philadelphia, and late of Virginia, have established a Stoneware Pottery, designated as the Keystone Pottery establishment, eight miles south of Jonesborough. They have recently burned two kilns, and have on hand some fine specimens of stone jars, jugs, pitchers and everything pertaining to the stoneware business as were ever manufactured anywhere. They have the best work ever and material, and challenge competition as to quality of goods. They are also manufacturing a superior article of Drain Pipe, which every farmer should use to drain their swamp lands, as it will last almost forever. Orders by mail will be promptly attended to. Call and examine our ware.
Decker was listed in this undated Tennessee State Gazetteer under Potteries.
While Decker encouraged customers to visit Keystone Pottery to purchase pieces for themselves, he also took advantage of mail orders. Between May of 1886 and September 1889, Decker shipped pottery to 34 different cities and towns as far away as Knoxville, Tennessee and Cranberry, North Carolina.
Decker also took wagon loads of ware into Jonesborough. The Herald and Tribune announced on Wednesday, May 24, 1899, Charles and Billie Decker were in town with a load of ware from the Keystone Pottery on the Nolachucky. The pottery will turn out a nice lot of the favorite ware for which it has a first class reputation.
Another mention on Wednesday, June 28, 1899, Fred and Dick Decker brought in a load of ware from the Keystone Pottery yesterday.
This 1904 photograph depicts the successful and prosperous business of Keystone Pottery, often referred to as Chuckey Valley Pottery in Washington County.
Charles F. Decker (6) is pictured in the back working with the potter's wheel. Decker is 72 years old. Hanging on the side of the building are shaping tools. To the left of Decker is a stack of clay balls ready for throwing, or forming, on the potter's wheel. There are items on the table, already turned and waiting to be fired: pitchers, a jug, a dome-shaped bank, and a crimped rim bowl.
Pictured at left is Decker's son, William (1), and another son, Charles, Jr. (3). Both worked with Decker in the pottery business. The small boys are grandsons of Decker: (4) William (Billy) F. Decker, (5), Charlie H. Decker, both sons of Charles, Jr., and (7) Francis Decker, son of Frederick. The man in the photo behind William is N. E. Duncan. Various pottery pieces are displayed - cream jars, flower containers, pitchers, a Chicken Drinker/Fountain, and containers for kraut and apple butter.