Timothy Chandler of Concord, New Hampshire. A country tall case clock in maple die-stamped by the maker on the seat-board. 2654.
This is a nice diminutively sized country-cased example of a Concord, New Hampshire tall clock made by Timothy Chandler circa 1800.
The use of maple in constructing this case is often seen in clocks originating from this New Hampshire region. This example features a number of panels that exhibit a light tiger grain pattern. This visual effect provides depth in an otherwise simple wood structure. The shellac-based finish has been professionally re-applied. The color is excellent.
This case stands up on its original applied bracket base. As is the situation with most clocks that share this base form, the feet on this example have lost about an inch in height. What remains is original to this clock and is well formed, incorporating a deep return. The waist section is fitted with a large rectangular-shaped waist door trimmed along the perimeter with a simple molded edge. Open this door, and one gains full access to the original tin can drive weights and brass-faced pendulum bob. Please also note the exposed pins in the frame of the waist. This is a nice country construction detail. The bonnet is fitted with a traditional New England-style fretwork pattern. Three finial plinths or chimneys each support a single brass ball and spike finial. Two turned smooth hood columns visually support the molded arch at the front. These are mounted into brass capitals and are freestanding. Additional quarter columns are positioned at the back of the hood. The side lights are rectangular shaped and are fitted with glass. The bonnet door is an arched form and is also fitted with glass.
The iron dial is colorfully painted. Floral decorations are depicted in the four spandrel areas. A bluebird is painted in the arch. Other florals and gilt designs surround the central theme of the bird. The time ring features Roman-style hour markers. Arabic numerals represent the five-minute locations. This dial also displays the date of the month calendar and the seconds on a subsidiary dial. This dial is mounted to the movement with a false plate.
The movement is constructed in brass. It is designed to run for eight days on a full wind and is weight driven. This clock strikes the hours on a cast iron bell. It is of good quality. This movement is supported in the case on a seat-board. This seat-board is die-stamped by the Maker. The stamp reads, “ T. CHANDLER.”
This clock stands a very manageable 7 feet 4.5 inches tall and was made circa 1800.
It is inventory number 2654.
Major Timothy Chandler was born on April 25th, 1762, in Rumford, Maine, and died on July 22nd, 1848, in Concord, NH. He is the son of Timothy and Elizabeth (Copp) Chandler and was one of five children. His father died when he was eight years old, and it has been suggested that Timothy traveled to Pomfret, Connecticut, in 1770-1783 to serve an apprenticeship to Jonathan Hale, who was a wool card maker. It is not known who specifically taught him the art of clockmaking. It is speculated that Chandler may have also trained as a clockmaker with Peregrine White, who was at work in nearby Woodstock. (Timothy named one of his sons Peregrine White Chandler.) Timothy moved back to Concord in 1791 and advertised tall clocks for sale. He was also appointed Sealer of Weights and Measures in Concord, NH. It is reported that in November of 1787, Timothy married Sarah Abbott of Concord. This suggests that he must have traveled back and forth to Concord from Pomfret before he settled there. Together they had twelve children.
In Concord, Timothy became a prolific clockmaker until his retirement in 1829. His main competition was Levi and his brother Abel Hutchins. Timothy was responsible for training several clockmakers, including his sons, Timothy Jay, John Bradley, and Abel. It has been suggested that he trained Joseph Chadwick in about 1801, who was from Boscawen. He also apprenticed Deacon Cyrus Eastman of Amherst, NH. Eastman served a seven-year apprenticeship which ended about 1814.
In 1797, Timothy enlisted with the Minute Men and received the commission of Major in 1799. He also served as vice president and then the president of the Merrimack Agricultural Society in the early 1800s. In 1808, he was appointed the Surveyor of Highways in Concord. On the evening of August 17th, 1809, he suffered a fire that originated from his air furnace or forge in his clock manufactory. The manufactory, with all its contents, the house, the barn full of hay, and two other hay barns were lost at a value of $5,000. Interestingly, the citizens of Concord raised $1,200 in order to help offset his losses and to rebuild. Chandler would rebuild and continue his career as a clockmaker.
In 1814, when Governor Gilman ordered the creation of local companies to defend the town in the event of an attack, Chandler, now in his 50s, again volunteered to serve in the militia. In 1819, he served as Chairman of the first "Lancastrian School." In 1820, he and his son Timothy Jay formed a partnership as T. Chandler & Son. This partnership lasted four years until T. Chandler & Co was formed in 1824 and lasted until 1828. This second company also included Timothy Jay.
In 1825, Timothy Chandler was one of the nine officers of the newly formed New Hampshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, one of New Hampshire's earliest fire insurance providers. In 1827, he served as Chairman of the group that organized the Unitarian Society. From 1829 through 1830, he joined his son Abel under the firm name of A. Chandler & Co. After 1830, he worked alone, served as President of Concord's first Temperance Society, was Vice President of Concord Mechanics Association, and was one of 17 original trustees of the N.H. Savings Bank. In 1834, he named three of Concord's streets.
We have owned numerous examples of his work. These include tall clocks, timepieces, mirror clocks, and shelf clocks. A fair number of silver items are also known.
