Whately was an early center for pottery production the trade being carried on in the town from about 1778 to 1860.  Twenty one potters were established in Whately, ten of whom were members of the Crafts family.   The first enterprise, however , was that of Stephen Orcutt and two Waite brothers, Luke and Obadiah.  They were followed by Thomas Crafts, called the “master potter” of Whately.   His early business was ordinary redware but he learned from renowned potter Sanford Perry the manufacture of black teapots and did a successful production of these for several years.  In addition Crafts established kilns for firing stoneware, and brought his brothers, sons and other relatives into the business making crocks, pots, jugs and eventually drainage tiles.  The Whately Historical Society has a good collection of Whately pieces, well worth a visit for early pottery lovers.