The two most notable Hinshaw potters in Tennessee were Jessee in Sullivan County and William in Greene County. Jessee was born in North Carolina in 1801 and William was born there in 1808. William was a master potter around the time of the Civil War and genealogical research is currently being conducted to determine his relationship to Jessee.

The flowerpot in the exhibit attributed to a Hinshaw reputedly has a Sullivan County history and, therefore, it is assumed to have been made by Jessee or his son, William. William was 21 and listed as a potter in the 1850 census.

Jessee undoubtedly learned to pot in North Carolina since that is where he resided with his parents during his teen years and even after his marriage. He and his wife had twin girls there in 1837. By 1840 he was in living Sullivan County seven households from Leonard Cain, the patriarch of the Cain potting family. Current speculation is that Leonard hired him to work at the Cain Pottery due to many possible considerations. Two of the most obvious are: Leonard was 58 years old in 1840 and possibly in failing health, as he died in 1842; and the son who was to eventually manage the pottery was only 13 years of age at the time. In any event, the Hinshaw and Cain families lived in close proximity for at least 20 years and are related by marriage. It is reasonable to assume that at some point in time Jessee had his own kiln. However, due to the lack of Sullivan County records this is pure speculation at this time. There are no signed pieces by any Hinshaw potter known to exist.

Note: The background images are earthenware pieces found in and attributed to Greene County.

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