East Tennessee, Greene County, earthenware pottery cream pot by Christopher Alexander Haun (1821-1861), Greene County, Tennessee. Coggled band on upper shoulder with stylized lettering "C A Haun No. 1" and star or sunburst stamp. 5 3/4" H. Historical Note: Christopher Alexander Haun was a Union sympathizer during the Civil War and participated in burning a Confederate railroad bridge (Lick Creek) in Greene County, TN. This important event in East Tennessee's Civil War history was initiated with a campaign by Union loyalists to burn 9 bridges. It was led by William B. Carter and strongly supported and encouraged by President Abraham Lincoln. Several potters from the Pottertown, TN area were among the men who conspired and succeeded in burning the bridge. The potters decided not to capture or kill the Confederate bridge guards but allowed them to go free based upon their solemn promises to not reveal their identities. Union troops did not materialize as promised, and the Confederates were able to pursue and capture some of the perpetrators. The Confederate guards who had been allowed to live were the very ones who served as witnesses to implicate the five men who were hung. Four of the five were potters. Among those sentenced to hang was the potter Christopher Alexander Haun. On December 11th, 1861, Haun was hung from the gallows in Knoxville, TN. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)

Faint remnants of 20th century red paint to body. A couple of hairline cracks, one extending through jar. Chip to outer rim, fleabites to inner rim and base.