Gawen Brown of Boston, Massachusetts. Tall case clock. 214034.
This mahogany case tall clock was made by Gawen Brown of Boston, Massachusetts.
This case sits flat on the floor on an applied molding secured to the bottom of the base. A compressed base section, such as this one, is a common feature of this early form. The wooden panels are formatted with the wood-grained positioned horizontally. The long waist section of the case is fitted with a large door. This tombstone-shaped waist door is nicely finished with applied molding and dominates the waist of the case. Open this, and one will easily access the two brass-covered lead weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob. The dome-shaped bonnet or hood is an early form. It was commonly employed in London examples as well. Below the boldly formed arch molding is a section decorated with blind frets. All of this is visually supported by smoothly turned bonnet columns. These terminate in wooden-turned capitals. It is interesting to note that all four are applied to the case. They are not free-standing. The bonnet door is arched in form and opens to a composite brass dial.
This style of brass dial predates the painted dial. It is composed of a brass base sheet, applied cast brass spandrels, and chapter rings. The chapter ring, name boss, and calendar dial have been finished in a silver wash for contrast. In the arch of this dial is the Maker's name, boss. This three-dimensional detail is skillfully engraved with the Maker's name and working location. The large chapter ring is also applied to the dial. This ring displays the hours in a Roman numeral format. The five-minute markers are indicated in each hour position with Arabic-style numerals. The center of this section is nicely matted. This was most likely done to aid in one's ability to locate the hands while reading the dial. A brass dial will tarnish, making it difficult to read in a room lit by candles. This dial also features the subsidiary seconds dial, which is engraved and silvered. The calendar day is located in the aperture below the center arbor. The steel hands are wonderfully made.
The movement is constructed in brass, having finished cast brass plates that are supported by smoothly turned brass posts. The gearing is brass, and the pinions are steel. The movement is weight driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. This clock strikes the hour on a bell. The strike train is located between the plates and is actuated by a rack and snail design. The winding barrels are grooved and accept the weight cords in an orderly fashion. A seatboard supports the movement.
This is a fine example made by a well-known Boston Clockmaker circa 1770. This case stands 7 feet 1.5 inches tall overall. It is approximately 20.25 inches wide and 9.25 inches deep.
Inventory number 214034.
Gawen Brown was born in England in 1719 and died in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 82 in 1801. He came to this country sometime before 1749. That year, on February 6, he advertised in The Boston Evening Post that he was a "...Clock and Watchmaker lately from London, Keeps his shop at Me. Johnson's Japanner, in Brattle Street, Boston, near Mr. Copper's Meeting House, where he makes and sells all sorts of plain, repeating and Astronomical Clocks, with cases plain, black walnut, mahogany or Japann'd or with out." During his lifetime, much was written about his making and installing a tower clock in the Old South Church in Boston. This Boston landmark was erected in 1730 without a clock. Brown installed his clock sometime between 1768 and 1770. Between 1752 and 1760, Brown moved his shop and home in Boston several times. He married three times and had a total of twelve children. On April 5, 1750, Brown married Mary Flagg. Together they had six children before she died in 1760. She was only 31 years old. His second wife, Elizabeth Byles, was the daughter of Mather Byles. Mather was a well-known clergyman who presided over the Hollis Street Church. Elizabeth lived only three more years and had no children. She died in 1763. In 1764, Brown again married, this time to Elizabeth Hill Adams. Elizabeth Hill Adams was the widow of Dr. Joseph Adams, who was the brother of Samuel Adams. Elizabeth bore him six more children. Based on several newspaper advertisements, Brown imported English clocks and watches from England. From 1789 through 1796, Brown was also listed in the business directories as a watchmaker.
Gawen Brown has been referred to as "The Tory Clockmaker." This title implies that he was loyal to the King of England before the Revolution. An article in Antiques Magazine in January of 1929 suggests that Brown left the Colonies and returned to England during the Revolution. This cannot be true because he had an extensive military career. Brown first enlisted in the Independent Company of Cadets on December 7, 1776. The Cadets were an independent organization, and accordingly, it was possible for one to hold an official rank with them as well as with another military company at the same time. He also served as a Corporal in the Rhode Island Expedition from April 15, 1777, to May 5, 1777. In April of this same year, he was appointed Captain in a Continental Regiment led by Colonel Henry Jackson. He resigned from this on October 23, 1778. In 1779 he was made Brigade Major of the Penobscot Expedition. This tenure lasted from July 2, 1779, to October 8, 1779. Brown left military service in 1781. At that time, he was a Lieutenant Colonel. The A. W. Mellon Educational Charitable Trust reportedly owns a portrait of him. Reproductions hang in the Old South Church and the Cadet Armory.
Very few Clockmakers lived and worked in New England during this early time period. Pre-Revolutionary clocks made in this country are quite rare, and as a result, very few come to the marketplace. This rare clock is typical of the early form.
