On several occasions my friend, Carlie Creed, has helped me with information regarding stoneware crocks of which local relics, on rarities, emerge.

It is her passion and I respect it.

I think hers to be a wonderful hobby and an outstanding manner in which to preserve local history.

I’d be most happy to be a collector myself, but the prices frighten me. I will explain my fear a bit later on in the story.

Carlie recently contacted me regarding a large crock from the mid portion of the 1800s with a local and well-known name debossed into the surface just below the neck which reads: W NORTHWOOD & CO GENERAL DEALERS CORNER OF KING & WILLIAM STS CHATHAM.

The Northwood name was once very common in Chatham-Kent. This particular man was William Northwood, who was born at Mayo, Westport County, Ireland on Dec. 31, 1816.

I am not sure as to when Mr.........

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