Unaker

"The material is an earth, the produce of the Chirokee nation in America, called by the natives ‘unaker’, the propertys of which are as follows, videlicet,......" 1744 Ceramic Patent

This summer I've been on the trail of "Unaker" or Cherokee white clay. It has a long history in this area involving none other then Josiah Wedgwood (the preeminent English potter) and England's quest for porcelain to rival the Chinese. In 1767 Wedgwood sent a representative over to try to get a monopoly on the clay, but found that there was just too many complications involved regarding dealing with the natives and the high cost of transportation. It was a shame, because he declared the clay as superior to anything found in England.

Though it's Wedgwood's name that constantly comes up and his name as well on the historical marker nearby, there's compelling evidence that Andrew Duche' had already used the clay in the earliest English porcelain production.

Anyway, I've been intrigued by this clay and decided to find some. So I started asking around and got a few leads. I had a great time visiting with Zena Pearl and Ed (octogenarians)  and hearing more about the area and how things were 50 years ago around here. Through a friend I was finally put in touch with the owner of a local ruby mine, Tom Sterrett. Keep in mind that Franklin is after all, the "Gem Capital of the World". Anyway, it turns out that when Tom is using his trac hoe to dig up dirt for the  customers he hits veins of clay. To him the clay is a bane and he was very generous in allowing me to come over last Sunday and load up the minivan with chunks of white clay.

Click below for more reading:

Pictures of the Wedgwood pottery made with this clay 

Did Duche' beat Wedgwood to the punch?

Another guy backs the notion that Duche' is the man