Marion J. Durham, a native of the Edgefield District of South Carolina, became John M. Wilson’s partner in the Guadalupe Pottery sometime after the Civil War and by 1869 had bought out Wilson’s share of the business. Durham appears to have been affiliated with John Chandler (born c. 1830), who was probably formerly enslaved by the noted Edgefield potter Thomas Chandler. Durham moved the pottery to a site closer to the clay source; it remained in operation until 1903.

In addition to large storage jars, intended to hold flour, lard, salted meat, and other necessities, small jars were produced and were often used for preserves. They were frequently made with lids that were either to be placed on top of the rim, as in this diminutive example, or supported inside the rim.