Sorry to bother you, but I have attempted to post this inquiry twice, to
HISTARCH@ASUACAD and to histarch@asuacad (I realize that caps shouldn'd make
a difference, but I couldn't think of anything else to try). Both times it
was bounced back as"host unknown."
 
I have just tried again, but suspect that I will have no better luck.
 
I suspect that I am doing something really dumb -- can you offer any advice.
 
Thanks!
 
Mike Trinkley
Chicora Foundation
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---------------------
Forwarded message:
Subj:    "Dutch" bricks
Date:    95-04-12 11:08:41 EDT
From:    Chicora1
To:      HISTARCH@asuacad
CC:      histarch@asuacad
 
While the list is relatively quiet, perhaps someone can help us with our
research on what are frequently, at least in this area (S.C.), called "Dutch
bricks."
 
They are yellowish, found archaeologically in very small numbers (and usually
highly fragmented), relatively soft and porous (compared to other
archaeological bricks) and seem to be centered around seaports (i.e.,
Charleston and Savannah). We have not found them in context -- they always
seem to be found as rubble.
 
Carl Lounsbury, in An Illustrated Glossary of Early Southern Architecture and
Landscape, notes that "Dutch bricks" were imported from England and perhaps
made locally. He specifies that they were yellow (so far, so good) and hard
(which those found archaeologically are not). He indicates they were used to
pave floors and hearths (we have not been able to find any documentation of
in situ brickwork).
 
Ronald Brunskill and Alec Clifton-Taylor, in Brickwork, note that "Dutch
Clinkers" or "klinkart" were "small, hard bricks, usually rather yellow in
colour, brought as ballast in ships coming from the Netherlands during the
second half of the 17th century . . . "
 
While Harley J. McKee, in Introduction to Early American Masonry, doesn't
seem to specifically discuss "Dutch" bricks, he does express skepticism that
bricks were imported in any significant numbers to North America.
 
And Gerard Lynch, in Brickwork: History Technology and Practice, doesn't even
mention this particular "variety" of brick in his discussion of the
historical development of English bricks (perhaps because they aren't
English?).
 
There seems to be a lot of mythology concerning these bricks, but not much
documentation. Would anyone with information (and hopefully citations)
concerning these bricks, their origin, use, hardness/softness please post
back directly to us.
 
We appreciate your patience and assistance. Thanks!
 
Mike Trinkley
Natalie Adams
Chicora Foundation
PO Box 8664
Columbia, SC  29202-8664
803/787-6910
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