Census Jug

Description:

Made in England for the American market, this creamware jug commemorates the first census of the United States taken in 1790.

The Constitution, adopted in 1787, mandated that the population of the states be counted every ten years to ensure proper representation in Congress. The first census, undertaken by U.S. marshals on horseback, recorded 3.9 million inhabitants in these categories: heads of families, free white males sixteen and older, free white males younger than sixteen, free white females, all other free persons (by sex and color), and slaves.

Date Made: ca 1790

Place Made: United Kingdom: England, Liverpool, Liverpool

Related Event: First Census of U.S.

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Ceramics and Glass, Government, Politics, and Reform, National Treasures exhibit, Domestic Furnishings, Many Voices, One Nation

Exhibition: Many Voices, One Nation

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Related Web Publication: http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures

Related Publication: Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History, National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: CE.78.48Catalog Number: 78.48Accession Number: 1978.0806

Object Name: pitcherObject Type: creamware

Physical Description: monochrome, black (overall surface decoration color name)ceramic (overall material)transfer printed (overall production method/technique)coarse earthenware (overall material)Measurements: overall: 17.2 cm; 6 25/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ae-5122-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_582423

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.