When we disassembled a chimney in the 1809 Spence house we found, to no surprise, that the bricks were handmade and most probably made on site. We have set aside what we needed to finish off the chimney of our new reproduction 18th century fireplace. The Spence house is typical of many in this area. It seems that the addition we needed to take down, because it was falling in when we first bought the place, wasn't an addition at all but the original building or at least the original foundation of the original building. We found the original corner stone and etched into the stone is the date 1781. It is possible that this was originally a log cabin and then updated to match the "new" Federal style addition in 1809. Anyway we now have extra 18th century or early 19th century brick to sell. We have a pile we call "clinker" bricks. These are the ones of an earlier dimension, much thinner and squat than later bricks, many have been over fired and are multi colored. They are also deformed and unique. "Clinker" it is said came from the sound they make when you hit them together. They are heavier and harder because of their proximity to the fire and clink like porcelain.