Circa 1880s: This is the first example of stoneware made by George W. Johnston in Clarksburg, West Virginia that we have handled in our two decades in the antiques trade, and this 10" tall one gallon stencil decorated storage crock is in excellent condition with one typical flake on the inside rim and no other chips, cracks, or repairs. The jar's stencil is clearly delineated and the jar itself has the desirable gray coloration that contrasts well with its cobalt decoration. This is a scarce jar from a little known West Virginia pottery.