Put every bit all between
surely this jar will hold 14
12 July 1834
Horses, mules and hogs-
all our cows is in the bogs-
there they shall ever stay
till the buzzards take them away
29 March 1836
A better thing I never saw
When I shot off the lions jaw
9 November 1836
Ladies & gentlemens shoes
Sell all you can & nothing you’ll loose
29 January 1840
Give me silver; either gold
Though they are dangerous; to our soul
27 July 1840
Dave belongs to Mr. Miles
Wher the oven bakes & the pot biles
31 July 1840
Another trick is worst than this
Dearest Miss, spare me a kiss
26 August 1840
I wonder where is all my relations
Friendship to all – and every nation
16 August 1857
I made this jar for cash
Though it is called lucre trash
22 August 1857
A pretty little girl on a verge
volca[n]ic mountain, how they burge
24 August 1857
Making this jar: I had all thoughts
Lads & gentlemen: never out walks
30 January 1858
If you don't listen at the bible
You will be lost
25 March 1859
I made this for our Sott
it will never - never – rott
31 March 1858
This noble jar will hold 20
fill it with silver then you'll have plenty
8 April, 1858
A very large jar which has four handles
pack it full of fresh meat - then light candles
12 April, 1858
When you fill this jar with pork or beef
Scot will be there to get a peace
(on the other side)
This jar is to Mr. Seglir
who keeps the bar in orangeburg
for Mr Edwards a gentle man
who formerly kept Mr Thos bacons horses
21 April 1858
The sun, moon and – stars
in the west are plenty of – bears
29 July 1858
I saw a leopard & a lions face
than I felt the need of - grace
3 November 1858
When Noble Dr. Landrum is dead
May Guardian angels visit his bed
14 April 1859
Hive is eighteen; hundred + fifty nine
unto you all I fill in---cline
18 April 1859
Good for lard and holding fresh meats
blest we were, when Peter saw the folded sheets
3 May 1859
Made at Stoney Bluff
for making lard enuff
13 May 1859
Great & noble jar
hold sheep goat and bear
13 May 1859
The forth of July is surely come
to blow the fife = and beat the drum.
4 July 1859
I saw a leopard & a lions face
then I felt, the need of grace
7 August 1860
A noble jar for pork or beef
Then carry it a round to the indian chief
9 November1860
I – made this jar all of cross
If you don’t repent, you will be lost
3 May 1862
Quotes (above) of Dave the Slave's poetry from I Made This Jar, The Life and Works of the Enslaved African-American Potter, Dave, Verses on Vessels Made by Dave pages 90-91. from the McKissick Museum University of South Carolina 1998, edited by Jill Beute Koverman.
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