Makers mark on early colonial brick??

[Bill D. (VA)]

Maker's mark on early colonial brick??

I was going through some of my trash pit finds from the early-to-mid 1600s site where I dug over 20 hammered silver coins a few years back. This is also the same pit where I recovered the c1580-1640 delftware plate this past winter. There were no red bricks found in this pit as I believe the structure was of early posthole construction. But I've found 2 or 3 early Dutch or Flemish bricks in this pit. They are brownish-yellow in color and were some of the rare bricks that were imported to Virginia (as almost all were domestically made). They were used exclusively during the 17th century, and have been found in the Jamestown excavations. They are much smaller than the typical red bricks, and the measurement of mine corresponds exactly with the dimensions given by Hume in his books. One of my bricks has what appears to be some kind of recessed maker's mark containing the "+" symbol. I was wondering what this mark might be, and if it has any significance. I know this is an off-the-wall request, but hopefully someone out there knows more than I do about these bricks and the possible maker's mark. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

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[DCMatt]

From the Yellow Brick Road?

Here is an article about Dutch brick. It may help with additional research:

http://www.losttownsproject.org/publications/articles/Maryland%20Archaeology,%20Vol.30(2),%20pp.9-22,%20September%201994.pdf

DCMatt

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

fire brick

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Only brick company I know that marked with bricks with "X" was the Clay Cross Company.. But - They started making bricks in the 1840s+ so I don't think this is going to help you any, so good luck with the ID.

 

[DCMatt]

Bill,

I did a little more research but found nothing on early brick marks except that very early bricks (17th C) used symbols as marks and later brick typically had initials. Your brick looks 6 - 7 inches long. That makes it a "clinker" used as pavers and in fire boxes.

DCMatt

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Bill,

I did a little more research but found nothing on early brick marks except that very early bricks (17th C) used symbols as marks and later brick typically had initials. Your brick looks 6 - 7 inches long. That makes it a "clinker" used as pavers and in fire boxes.

DCMatt

Thanks for taking the time to look into this Matt. My brick is 6.25 x 3 x 1.25 which is typical as reported by Hume. He also said they were used in paving, in cisterns, and were used in Jamestown for laying cellar steps. I still say there's got to be some significance to that mark, but not sure how I can nail it down.