200 - 206 E. Linden St. site of Brosius Pottery 1847-1885

Edwin Brosius moved from his parent's farm in Upper Oxford Township to Kennett Square in 1845. The Brosius family farm was a known station on the Underground Railroad. Edwin learned the potter's trade from his father, Mahlon Brosius, who typified the Chester County trilogy of Quaker, potter, and abolitionist. Edwin bought several parcels on E. Linden Street next to the Pure Spring Water Company’s pit reservoir - water being necessary for making pottery. His pottery turned out earthenware, yellow ware and stoneware dishes, crocks, jugs and drain tile. It was the second largest and one of the most successful potteries in the county. This was another business that contributed to Kennett’s growth.

The first photo shows the houses that were built in the pottery site after Edwin Brosius died in 1885. The second photo is of a pottery in New London established ca. 1840. Brosius' pottery probably started out this small. According to an inventory taken in 1885, it had expanded to a three-story, multi-room building with sheds and stables.