Ezra Batchelder of Danvers, Massachusetts. A quintessential New England tall-case clock. 222107.
This is a fine butternut case tall clock with a painted dial signed “ Ezra Batchelder / DANVERS.”
Ezra Batchelder was born in Andover, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1769. He had a brother, Andrew, who was also listed as a clockmaker and blacksmith. They are listed as working together in Danvers sometime after 1801. It is thought that they were trained by their brother-in-law, Nathan Adams. Ezra dies in Danvers on October 10. 1858. In his book, Willard’s Patent Time Pieces, Paul Foley lists that Ezra’s account book is known. This book records 36 clocks being sold between 1803 and 1830. The prices for these clocks range from $35 to $65. Over the last forty-plus years of being in the business of selling clocks, We have seen at least 14 tall clocks signed by this Maker.
The case is constructed in butternut and has been recently refinished. The modern shellac finish heightens the natural color variations of the grain patterns, enhancing the warm tones. The clock case stands on cutout bracket feet with spur returns. The waist section centers a rectangular-shaped door trimmed with a molded edge. One can access the two drive weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob through this door. The waist corners are fitted with fluted quarter columns. These columns terminate in brass quarter capitals. The hood features a simple molded arch molding. On top of this is a New England-style pierced and open fretwork pattern. Three fluted plinths, serving double duty as support for the frets and mounting positions for the brass ball-and-spike finials, are incorporated in the design. Fluted columns visually support the molded arch. These are mounted in brass capitals. The bonnet door is arched in form and fitted with glass. Behind it is the painted iron dial.
This dial is wonderfully paint-decorated. The artwork is distinctive and was painted by one of the firms with which Spencer Nolen was involved. The style of the decoration is indicative of the dials he is known to have painted. The colors are vibrant and include red, green, and gold. This dial can be seen from across the room. The time ring is formatted with Arabic five-minute markers separated from Arabic hour numerals by a dotted minute ring. This dial displays the seconds and calendar day in the traditional locations. The steel hands are nicely designed and display the time. These hands are hand-filed into a lovely pattern. This dial is signed by the Clockmaker below the calendar. The signature reads, “Ezra Batchelder / DANVERS.” This iron dial is mounted directly to the movement without a false plate.
The brass-constructed movement is of good quality. Four-turned pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed in a recoil format. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The movement is a two-train or a time-and-strike design, having a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement on a bell stand. It is interesting to note the unusual and distinctive shaping of the strike work. This design feature is also found on other clocks known by this North Shore clockmaker.
This clock stands 7 feet 77 inches (91 inches) tall to the top of the center finial. The hood molding is 21 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep. This clock was made circa 1810.
Inventory number 222107.
Ezra Batchelder was born in Andover, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1769. His parents were Ezra, a blacksmith (Baptized on May 31, 1741, and died in 1809), and his wife Mary (Woodbury) Ober of Beverly. They were married on March 15, 1763. They had five children that were raised on Maple Street. They became one of the largest landowners in Danvers.
Ezra had a brother, Andrew, born in 1772, who is also listed as a Clockmaker and blacksmith. They are listed as working together in Danvers sometime after 1801. It is thought that they were trained by their brother-in-law Nathan Adams. It is reported that an account book covers the business years of 1803 to 1830. In this 27 years of business, 36 clocks are listed as being sold. Not all of these are tall-case examples. These clocks are listed as selling for $35 to a high of $65 depending on whether they were cased. The names of the original purchasers are also listed in the account. It is also thought that both brothers were fine cabinetmakers and may have made their own cases as well as other wood products. The account book lists the following clock-related entries.
1803. Five clocks are listed. Nathaniel Lang purchased two at $50 each. Edmund Johnson bought two at $35 each. Charles Foster purchased one at $35. The Foster and Johnson clocks are listed as being sold with a "12-inch face with out case." The Lang clocks must have been sold with a case. 1803 was their busiest clock year.
1804-1805. No clock sales are listed.
1806. Peter Woodbury of Beverly purchased a clock with a "Moon face" for $40, and Solomon Dodge bought one at $37.50. A "Tucker "from Andover bought one for $38.
1807. Elias Endicott bought a cased clock at $52.50.
1808. Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth paid $50 for a clock to be delivered to Rev. Mr. "Bawlch" of Salisbury. Capt. Samuel Trow of Beverly bought a "moon face" for $45. William Dodge of Beverly bought a "moon Face" for $45. This clock was sold without a case. Mr. Lemon of Beverly bought a "12-inch moon face" for $43.
1809. No clock sales are listed.
1810. Amos Gould of Ipswich purchased a clock for $50.
1811. Jacob Towne of Topsfield purchased a "clock compleat" for $47.50.
1812. Capt. Thomas Raymond of Beverly bought a clock "without case" for $40. John H. Leonard of Salem bought a "compleat clock" for $55.
1813. Capt. Thomas Cheever of Danvers bought a clock for $65. (Capt. Cheever commanded the ship, Augustus.) This clock is listed as having a "mehogeny case." David Perkins of Topsfield bought a clock for $50.
1814. No clock sales are listed.
1815. Elezer Pope, a yeoman who resided in Salem, bought a clock for $50.
1816. Elezer Lake of Topsfield bought a "clock and case compleat and case varnished" for $52. John Averill of Topsfield is listed as buying a clock. The price is not recorded. Major Solomon Wilkins of Middleton paid $50. This is later sold to the Newhall family.
1817. No entries.
1818. No entries.
1819. Ebenezer Goldthwaite purchased a "clock and case compleat and case varnished" for $53. "Esq" Elezer Putnam paid $53 for a clock.
1820. Alen Porter bought a "compleat," clock for $53.
1821. Stephen Whipple of Salem bought a "compleat," clock for $53. Daniel Porter of Topsfield purchased a "clock and case" for $50.
1822. Capt. Asa Tapley of Danvers paid $53. He was a soldier of the revolution. He was a lieutenant during the War of 1812 and was on guard at Fort Lee. In 1833 he was granted a revolutionary pension. He was a successful businessman in all endeavors. He was one of the early brick manufacturers of Danvers. He served the Town of Danvers as a contestable, a highway surveyor, a member of the board of health, and on the school committee. He had many land transactions listed in the records. In these, he was listed as a yeoman.
1823. Levi Preston of Danvers paid $55.
1824. Mr. Killam, probably of Boxford, paid $40.
1825. No entries.
1826. Mark How paid $53.
1827. Mr. Hardy bought a clock "without case" for $32.50.
1828. Perley Tapley of Danvers bought a clock for $53. He was a famous mover of buildings. He also served as a highway surveyor.
1829. Hicks Richards of Danvers bought a clock "without case" for $38. Col. Nathan Tapley purchased "one case" for $15.75. Nathan was Asa's brother. He commanded a military company in Danvers and its vicinity, for which he received the title of Colonel. He was also a very successful businessman.
1830. Joseph Porter purchased "one eight-day clock with weights
without the case" for $38. (This is Ella J. Porter's clock. She lived on Cherry Street.)
Ezra married Anna Brown on December 17, 1795. She was a native of Andover, Massachusetts, and was born in 1772 and died on June 4, 1856. Together they had 11 children. Ezra was also a farmer and is reported to be the first expressman in Danvers, carrying merchandise to and from Boston in what was called a "road wagon." He did this in 1825-1830, making approximately three trips per week using two or a team of four horses depending on the weight of the load. He sold this route to Joseph Porter. Ezra died in Danvers on October 10, 1858, of lung fever. He lived nearly 90 years and labored to the end.
Over the last forty plus years of being in the business of selling clocks, We have seen at least 12 tall clocks signed by this Maker.
