(Conjectural sketch
by Sidney E. King.)]
THE GLASSBLOWER
Glassblowers were working at Jamestown in 1608-09, and again in 1621-24.
The trial glass they made in 1608 was sent to England--the first glass
manufactured by Englishmen in the New World. The small glass fragments
excavated at the furnace sites do not reveal what was produced, but
probably nothing more complicated than window glass, bottles and vials,
and plain drinking glasses. It is believed that the small glass factory
at Jamestown was the first English "factory" in America.
THE BRICKMAKER AND TILEMAKER
Four brick kilns have been excavated. In two of them roofing tile and
bricks were found. An iron spade, probably used in preparing the clay
for brickmaking, was found in one of the kilns. The oldest kiln
unearthed is believed to have been in use as early as 1625. Many
brickmakers emigrated to Jamestown during the 1600's.
THE LIMEBURNER
Four lime kilns were unearthed on the historic island, where oyster
shells from the James River were burned and converted into lime by the
limeburner. As early as 1610 "lymeburners" emigrated to Virginia, and
thereafter many such workers came to the colony from England.
[Illustration: FOUR BRICK KILNS HAVE BEEN EXCAVATED.
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