Mahlon Brosius

Mahlon Brosius: Quaker, Abolitionist, Potter

Mahlon Brosius (1797 – 1863) settled in Upper Oxford Township in 1828.  Dr. Arthur James, in his book Potters and Potteries of Chester County, writes that he typified the “Quaker, abolitionist, potter” trilogy found in Chester County, and wrote: “his home was a vital station and his wagons delivering pottery were active parts of the Underground Railroad”. His home was also where Frederick Douglass, the most influential leader of the movement for African American civil rights, stayed when we would give speeches at Longwood Progressive Meetinghouse, which was built in 1855.

In 1847, Mahlon helped his sons Daniel and Edwin establish a pottery in Kennett Square. He is also the 5X great-grandfather of Emma Podolin, an exhibiting artist in this show.