John Leopard was born in 1800 in Edgefield, South Carolina, into a family well established in the area’s pottery making tradition. He lived in Alabama before coming to Rusk County, Texas, by 1850. Prior to establishing his own pottery in Henderson, he was probably employed by James Prothro. His pots are notable for their elegantly formed profiles and carefully executed rims and handles.

A butter churn was taller and narrower than a storage jar of the same capacity. This allowed for more efficient motion of the dasher (agitator) through the cream, agitating it to cause the fat particles to come together as butter.